A team of physicians led by Joanna Aizenberg, MD, created a transparent surface coating for an endoscope that keeps blood and other fluids away, R&D Mag reports.
Here's what you should know.
1. The team utilized a specially-developed Slippery Liquid-Infused Porous Surfaces coating that would prevent bodily fluids from obstructing the endoscope's camera.
2. The SLIPS technology creates a non-wetting, self-cleaning surface that is formulated for the body's cavities. The team used layers of silica nanoparticles to adapt the film for the body. The silica created a porous surface that they then added medical-grade silicone oil to, creating a self-replenishing liquid layer.
3. The end result is an endoscope coated with a biocompatible coating designed for procedural use. The film can be sterilized through standard procedures, and applying silicone oil maintains its repellency.
4. George Cheng, MD, used the modified scope in a bronschoscopy procedure in a pig. He said, "The proof of concept experiment in the pig lung worked beautifully."
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