2015 年 51 巻 5 号 p. 290-296
This paper describes a development of an colonoscopic device that veering-out a latex tube with jamming by granular materials and an application to a large intestine of dead swine. Recently, colorectal cancer is increasing. However, the cancer can be cured completely if it is discovered and treated early with a large intestine endoscope. A conventional endoscope can screen and heal the inside of the intestine, but such surgery is difficult for doctors. In this study, in order an attempt to solve these problems, we propose an endoscopic device that veering-out a latex tube with jamming by granular materials. This device can pass through the sigmoid colon of dead swine that is set like a human without difficult operation. Unlike other endoscopic robots, our device can support the endoscope. Thus we can easily perform various functions of the conventional endoscope. Here we explain our device using rice as jamming material. Next, we describe our experiment confirming the efficacy in large intestine model. We also confirm the availability of the endoscopic support device for use in the large intestine of a dead swine.