(A112) Creation of a 3D Printed Universal Endoscope Smartphone Adapter

Introduction: Flexible nasal endoscopy or Transnasal Flexible Laryngoscopy (TFL) is a ubiquitous procedure within the field of Otolaryngology, but performing this exam often requires expensive, bulky towers or wasteful disposable equipment which can limit its accessibility in an inpatient setting. We present a 3D printed endoscope adapter which connects any smartphone with a rear-facing camera to any endoscope with a glass eyepiece to produce a high-quality video of the exam.

Methods: Utilizing a previously published adapter for fitting a 32mm endoscope eyepiece made of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), a universal adapter was designed in CAD to function with any smart phone with a rear facing camera. This device was then distributed to junior otolaryngology residents at the authors' institution and used to perform inpatient TFL examinations on patients. Residents were polled regarding the easy of use of this device.

Results: Multiple copies of the adapter were printed and utilized for TFL examinations. Junior residents who utilized this adapter generally felt that it was easy to use and provided high quality videos for review with senior residents and faculty. Additionally, it created an easier workflow and improved resident quality of life.

Conclusions: We developed a 3D printed nasal endoscope smartphone adapter that universally worked with common smartphones with a rear-facing camera. This device was used by junior otolaryngology residents and was found to be easy to use and provided high-quality videos of transnasal flexible laryngoscopy examinations.