Boston Scientific 2019-2020

Developing Next-Generation Endoscope Technology

Endoscopy is a medical procedure in which surgical tools are inserted into a patient’s gastrointestinal tract using an endoscope to reach the site of interest. Once positioned, tools are threaded down the endoscope to perform minimally invasive surgeries. Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) is a specialized form of endoscopy dealing with procedures in the pancreatic and biliary ducts via the duodenum. Physicians performing ERCP use a specialized endoscope known as a duodenoscope. Current clinical procedures involve reusable endoscopes, which are cleaned to sterilize them between patients. However, cross contamination, which can lead to infection and even death, remains a major concern.  

Boston Scientific is a leader in the medical device industry, and currently makes a wide variety of the disposable tools that are inserted down the working channels of endoscopes to perform procedures. Recently, Boston Scientific has made strides towards addressing potential issues of cross contamination by designing a disposable duodenoscope, the ExaltTM Model D Single Use Duodenoscope. Boston Scientific asked the 2019-2020 SCOPE team to help improve future generations of the duodenoscope design by reducing the waste of using a disposable duodenoscope without compromising infection prevention or physician operation. The team developed a modular design with both disposable components and reusable components that can be more effectively cleaned than current devices and provides a simple assembly procedure for medical technicians. The team presented Boston Scientific with a design for a next generation duodenoscope that reduces the waste profile while maintaining function and physical experience.

Faculty Advisor

Alisha Sarang-Sieminski

Team Members

Harrison Young

Daniel Alhadeff

Evan Cusato

Rachel Hwang 

Aurora Bunten 

Project Poster

Summit Breakout Session