Advances in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy

The requirement for efficient endoscopic visualization and instrumentation has increased over the past decade given the considerable burden that luminal disorders of the gastrointestinal tract exert on individuals and healthcare economies. The push for greater diagnostic yield has driven advances in optical physics and bioengineering, which are revolutionizing diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. This article highlights emerging technologies since our last review, focusing on advances in imaging and endoscope design, and how these are shaping the therapeutic approach to diseases of the human gastrointestinal tract. Their application to improving diagnostic ability and patient care, as well as their limitations, are discussed