Case Study: Endoscope-I speeds throat cancer diagnosis with Protolabs 3D printing

Small part created by Protolabs plays large part in speeding up cancer diagnoses

Endoscope-I worked with Protolabs to develop a small but critical component for its medical imaging system: a 3D printed adaptor that secures an Apple iPhone to a flexible endoscope. The challenge was to create a reliable, manufacturable part that would support faster nasoendoscopy-based throat cancer diagnosis, especially in settings where traditional endoscopy stacks are expensive and hard to access.

Protolabs provided material advice and rapid digital manufacturing, 3D printing the parts in stereolithography with the needed precision and repeatability. The result was a robust, cost-effective component that helped Endoscope-I speed up remote diagnosis, with consultants often reviewing cases and returning referrals within 2 days; the system was effective enough to increase clinic capacity during Covid and is now being rolled out to other UK hospitals.

Endoscope-I