Introduction

　The purpose of this study is to develop a robotic endoscope that is low invasive, easy to operate and locomotesfrom the rectum to the appendix in human body.

Background

　Incidence of colorectal cancer ranks fourth in men and third in women with over 1 million new cases occurring every year worldwide. Five-year survival estimates are around 50%. However, the patients can recover fully if the colorectal cancers are detected early. Thus, early detection is one of the most important factors to treat colorectal cancers. Colonoscopic examination is one of the most reliable methods to detect colon cancers of early stage.

　This research is done under instruction of Dr. Tanoue, Dr. Ieiri, Dr. Konishi, Dr. Uemura, Dr. Kumashiro, Dr. Nagao, Dr. Akahoshi, Dr. Ohdaira, Dr. Tomikawa and Dr. Hashizume of a Kyushu University Hospital Center for the Integration of Advanced Medicine and Innovative Technology.
We would like to express our thanks to all co-researchers ,Kuraray Co, Ltd., Okino Industries, Ltd., NiKKi Fron Co., Ltd., and SolidWorks Japan K. K. for helping us to develop the endoscope robot.