endoscope processor which in turn commands the
endoscope movement system to direct the endoscope
tip for imaging, biopsy, or other functions.
The internal cavities of the body are not
normally open voids. In order to have a clear view,
the endoscope can deliver pressurized sterile gas to
dilate the space it is introduced into. Figure 3 shows
endoscope photos of normal stomachs under partial
gas expansion. Without the gas expanding it, the
stomach would be folded into a compact form and
visibility would likely be millimeters at most.
Some structures, including many kinds of
gastric cancer, look only subtly different than the
tissue around them. Many endoscopes have a
function for spraying a contrast-enhancing solution
onto the tissue in front of the camera, which can
often improve detection of partially hidden features.
Figure 4 depicts two endoscope images of the same
patient, with a gastric cancer at bottom-right. Under
normal view, the malignancy app