Medical Bronchoscope machine

Bronchoscope is a core tool for the diagnosis and treatment of modern respiratory diseases. It realizes a full-process solution from diagnosis to treatment through minimally invasive, visual and precise technical means. The following is an introduction from five dimensions: technical principle, clinical application, equipment type, operation process and development trend.

1. Technical principle and equipment composition

Bronchoscopy is a flexible or rigid endoscope that enters the trachea, bronchi and more distal airways through the mouth/nose. The main components include:

Mirror body: ultra-fine diameter (2.8~6mm), bendable design, adaptable to complex airway anatomical structure.

Imaging system: high-definition CMOS/fiber optic image transmission, supporting white light, NBI (narrow band imaging), fluorescence and other modes.

Working channel: can insert biopsy forceps, brushes, cryoprobes, laser optical fibers and other treatment tools.

Auxiliary system: suction device, irrigation equipment, navigation positioning (such as electromagnetic navigation EBUS).

2. Clinical application scenarios

1. Diagnostic field

Lung cancer screening: Detect early central lung cancer and guide biopsy (TBLB/EBUS-TBNA).

Infectious diseases: Obtain sputum/bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) for pathogen detection.

Airway assessment: Diagnosis of stenosis, fistula, foreign body, tuberculosis and other lesions.

2. Treatment field

Foreign body removal: Emergency treatment of children/adults who accidentally aspirate foreign bodies.

Stent placement: Relieve airway stenosis caused by malignant tumors or scars.

Ablation therapy: Laser/cryosurgery/argon gas knife to remove tumors or granulomas.

Hemostasis treatment: Electrocoagulation or drug spraying to control severe hemoptysis.

3. Equipment type and selection

Type Features Applicable scenarios

Fiber bronchoscope Flexible mirror body, thin diameter (2.8~4mm) Children, peripheral airway exploration

Electronic bronchoscope High-definition imaging, support NBI/magnification function Early cancer screening, precise biopsy

Hard bronchoscope Large channel (6~9mm), support complex surgery Massive hemoptysis, stent placement, laser ablation

Ultrasound bronchoscope (EBUS) Combined with ultrasound scanning, evaluate mediastinal lymph nodes Lung cancer staging (N1/N2 lymph node biopsy)

4. Operation process (taking diagnostic bronchoscope as an example)

Preoperative preparation

The patient fasts for 6 hours, local anesthesia (lidocaine spray) or general anesthesia.

ECG monitoring (SpO₂, blood pressure, heart rate).

Path of entry

Nasal (more comfortable) or oral (wider channel).

Examination steps

Observe the glottis, trachea, carina, left and right main bronchi and subsegmental branches in turn.

After the lesion is found, biopsy, brushing or lavage is performed.

Postoperative treatment

Monitor for complications such as pneumothorax and bleeding, and do not eat or drink for 2 hours.

V. Technology Frontiers and Development Trends

AI-assisted

AI marks suspicious lesions (such as carcinoma in situ) in real time to reduce the rate of missed diagnosis.

Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscope (ENB)

Reach peripheral lung nodules (<1cm) as accurately as "GPS".

Disposable bronchoscope

Avoid cross infection, suitable for infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and COVID-19.

Robotic bronchoscope

The robot arm operates stably to improve the success rate of distal biopsy (such as Monarch platform).

Summary

Bronchoscopic technology is developing in a more accurate, intelligent and minimally invasive direction, and its core value lies in:

✅ Early diagnosis - discover hidden lesions of diseases such as lung cancer and tuberculosis.

✅ Precision treatment - replace thoracotomy and directly treat airway lesions.

✅ Rapid recovery - most examinations can be completed as outpatients and activities can be resumed on the same day.

In the future, with the integration of molecular imaging and robotic technology, bronchoscopy will become the core platform for the diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases.