New Technology Creates 'Google Earth' Like View of the Bladder

Posted on May 16, 2011

This is a 3D digital reconstruction of the inside of a stained pig's bladder. The bladder is a membranous sac in pig, humans and other animals, in which urine is collected for excretion. This 3D image of a pig's bladder was created using new technology and an ultrathin laser endoscope that researchers say feels like a piece of angel-hair pasta.

Researchers at the University of Washington are proposing a new automated bladder endoscopy approach that could be cheaper, more comfortable and more convenient for both doctors and patients. The system would use the UW's ultrathin pasta-like laser endoscope in combination with software that stitches together images from the scope's path to create a full, 3D panorama of the bladder interior. The semi-automated scan could be done by a nurse or technician. Resulting images could be reviewed by a urologist at a later time, potentially in another city or country.

Currently, urologists conduct bladder exams using an endoscope that's manipulated around the bladder during the roughly 5 minute scan. A specialist is required for the exam, which sometimes requires patients have to travel long distances for appointments. This new procedure would help eliminate that problem.

Timothy Soper, a UW research scientist in mechanical engineering, says, "Essentially, I want to give urologists a Google Earth view of the bladder. As you move the mouse over the 3-D surface it would show the individual frame showing exactly where that image came from. So you could have the forest and the trees."

You can read more about the technology here.

HEALTH