(0256) Thermoplastic Smartphone Mount: A Cost-Effective, Universal, and Waste-Reducing Option for Recording Endoscopies

Introduction: Currently, reusable endoscopes with videography require large expensive equipment, and disposable endoscopes are expensive and generate excessive medical waste. A cost effective thermoplastic smartphone mount is a simple alternative.

Methods: A cast of endoscopes is created using silicone, and a customized adaptor is formed with heat moldable thermoplastic. Rigid nasal endoscopy, rigid otoscopy, and flexible laryngoscopy were performed on each participant, multiple times by different resident physicians (n=12). The anatomic subsites of the nasal cavity, external ear canal, and upper aerodigestive tract were personally scored for visibility. The system usability scale was applied to determine how easily the smartphone mount could be adopted for use. The optical resolving power of the smartphone mounted endoscope was tested using the US Airforce 1951 resolution chart. Cadavers were utilized for procedural testing.

Results: The various anatomic subsites were scored for their visibility when using the smartphone mount versus an analog endoscope. The visibility scores for anatomic regions were: nasal cavity (70-92% vs. 80-100%), external ear canal (85-92% vs 100%), and upper aerodigestive tract (92% vs 100%). The system usability scale had a mean of 64 with standard deviation of 17.5. Optical resolving power of the smartphone mounted endoscope was comparable to the analog endoscope. A cadaveric maxillary antrostomy was successfully completed with a smartphone mounted endoscope.

Conclusions: The smartphone mounted endoscope was comparable to the analog endoscope for the majority of anatomic subsites assessed, and the system usability score suggests the mount was not particularly challenging to use. However, it did not outperform the analog endoscope in any category. The value in the smartphone mounted endoscope lies in its video recording ability, this is particularly true in resource poor areas where a recorded endoscopic exam can then be shared remotely. This thermoplastic smartphone mount is an affordable ( < $50 USD) option for recording endoscopies, and may even be used for minor procedures.