Tubaloscope: Flexible glassfiber endoscope for intratubal observation

Summary

1. We made the original type of glassfiber tubaloscope and created the new method of tubaloscopy.

2. In fourteen cases among seventeen exercised cases we succeeded in inserting the tubaloscope into the tubal cavity and taking photographs.

3. Data of the photographing is an exposure of one-fourth second using Ektachrome EF (Tungsten color ASA 125) and Machida's R-150 light-supplying equipment.

4. Distance of the tubaloscope inserted into the uterine tube was from 2.0 cm to 7.0 cm long.

5. We could observe the intratubal mucous membrane and the bleeding on its surface and succeeded in taking photographs.

6. We could not take photographs of the descending human ovum from the fimbriae of the uterine tube because conditions have not been favorable.

7. The method of inserting the tubaloscope into the tubal opening under the lighting of the tubaloscope itself is not easy because the resolving power of the lens is no better than other thick endoscopes; therefore it is due to the small number of glassfibers filling the very thin tube which allows high optic resolution.

Key-Words

Tubaloscope - thin glassfiber endoscope