【Introduction】
When it comes to endoscopy, the first reaction of many people is to insert a tube to have a look. In fact, modern endoscopes are no longer just an observation tool. From initially observing lesions, to today's ability to perform tissue sampling, pathological diagnosis, hemostasis, polyp removal, foreign body extraction, and some minimally invasive treatment procedures, endoscopy is gradually moving from merely observing to integrating diagnosis and treatment.
Today, let's start from the basics and figure out: What exactly can an endoscope do?


【What is an endoscope?】
Many cavities and organs in the human body are located deep within the body, and it is difficult to directly observe their internal conditions using traditional methods. The endoscope is a medical device that uses a slender optical tube to enter the body through natural body orifices or small incisions, and transmits real-time images of the internal organs to the outside.


【The core function of the endoscope】
1. Visual exploration revealed the lesion
When patients experience discomfort symptoms, imaging examinations can only reveal indirect signs and cannot clearly show the subtle changes on the mucosal surface. Endoscopes can directly reach the target area, allowing doctors to visually observe the mucosal condition and check for any undetectable lesions that are not obvious to the naked eye. Organs such as the stomach, intestines, trachea, bladder, and thoracic cavity can all be visually inspected through endoscopes.

2. Sampling biopsy for a clear diagnosis
During the observation process, if the doctor detects any suspicious lesion areas, they can insert small instruments through the working channel of the endoscope and take a small amount of tissue samples for pathological testing.
Imaging results can only be suspected. Endoscopic biopsy can help determine the nature of the lesion and distinguish between benign and malignant conditions.

3. Minimally invasive treatment under the microscope, eliminating the need for surgery
With multiple early-stage lesions, there is no need for major surgical procedures. Through the endoscopic channel, doctors can directly perform a series of minimally invasive operations inside the body: polyp removal, hemostasis, stenosis dilation, foreign body removal, etc. Compared to traditional surgeries, these endoscopic operations cause less trauma and result in faster recovery, significantly reducing patients' pain and hospital stay.


【Different endoscopes address different clinical issues respectively】
1. Digestive endoscopy system (gastroscopy / colonoscopy / ERCP, etc.)
It covers the entire esophagus, stomach and colon. Not only does it provide direct examination for common conditions such as gastritis, ulcers and polyps, but it is also the core carrier for early cancer screening of the digestive tract and submucosal dissection (ESD). Moreover, duodenoscopy (ERCP) plays an irreplaceable role in minimally invasive interventional treatment of biliary and pancreatic diseases.

2. Urinary endoscopy system (cystoscope / ureteroscope / nephroscope / electrosurgicaloscope, etc.)
A complete interventional path from the urethra, bladder to the ureter and renal pelvis was established, aiming to address clinical challenges such as hematuria investigation, urinary tract stones (RIRS/PCNL), tumor resection, and ureteral stenosis, and to achieve comprehensive minimally invasive surgery in urology.

3. Respiratory endoscopy system (bronchoscopy / thoracoscopy, etc.)
For cases of unexplained hemoptysis, airway tumors and obstructions, precise exploration, biopsy and interventional intervention are carried out. At the same time, thoracoscopic technology extends the treatment boundary to the pleural cavity, providing a minimally invasive solution for complex pleural effusions and pleural lesions.


【MAXSEAS Perspective: Simulation Training Models Facilitate Endoscopic Training】
MAXSEAS has a series of endoscopic training models related to this field. It is arranged based on the clinical teaching needs of multiple internal endoscopes. It relies on 3D anatomical reconstruction and 3D printing technology to restore the real anatomical features of the cavities, reproduce normal anatomical structures and typical lesion shapes, and build simulation training platforms.

By using the simulation training model, physicians can repeatedly practice without involving real patients, familiarizing themselves with the path of the cavity and the characteristics of the endoscopic field, honing their basic operational skills, and laying a solid foundation for clinical endoscopic practical operations.