Method for rapid identification of infections and/or risk situations related to gastroduodenal pathologies and machine for performing the method

Abstract

A method for immediate identification and rapid comparative assessment of indicators of the presence of infections and / or risk situations related to gastroduodenal pathologies, comprising the steps of: aspirating, during an endoscopy, a preset quantity of gastric juices, and sending at least part of the aspirated gastric juices to a control unit, where it is subjected to at least one analysis, the outcome of which is provided before the endoscopy ends.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a method for rapid identification of infections and / or risk situations related to gastroduodenal pathologies and to a machine for performing the method. BACKGROUND ART [0002] It is known that esophagogastroduodenoscopy is currently the main diagnostic technique for pathologies of the upper digestive tract: it also allows to obtain biopsy specimens for possible complementary tests. [0003] While providing excellent macroscopic visualization of the explored viscera, endoscopy alone does not achieve a satisfactory diagnostic sensitivity, since several pathologies do not produce macroscopically detectable changes in the affected organs. [0004] Pathologies frequently associated with normal endoscopic findings are infection with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and fundal atrophic gastritis. Both conditions are important from the clinical and pathological standpoint: the former (H. pylori infection) because in addition to being widespr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides a method for identifying and assessing indicators of gastroduodenal pathologies using an electromedical machine connected to an endoscopic apparatus. The method involves aspirating gastric juices during an endoscopic test and sending them to a control unit for analysis. The machine includes a measurement unit with an agitator, probe, and hydraulic section for reagent and water supply, a low-temperature generator of heating air, and an electrical section with a programmable control unit for operating and controlling the pumps and measurement unit. The method is simple, safe, effective, and has a low cost."

Problems solved by technology

While providing excellent macroscopic visualization of the explored viscera, endoscopy alone does not achieve a satisfactory diagnostic sensitivity, since several pathologies do not produce macroscopically detectable changes in the affected organs.

Actually, performing these tests does not provide full protection against possible diagnostic errors or omissions.

The spot distribution of these pathologies can in fact cause falsely negative results due to the fact that the biopsy samples were taken in areas not affected by the disease.

The problem worsens if one considers that a substantial percentage of patients subjected to endoscopy is found to have neither H. pylori infection nor histological evidence of simple or atrophic gastritis.

For these patients, performing the complementary tests leads to an unnecessary increase of the duration of the test (and therefore to greater invasiveness), to consumption of materials (biopsy forceps, test tubes, et cetera) and most of all to a considerable financial expenditure.

Images