Takao Wakabayashi

A new method for measuring distances using electrically charged jets of water is described, and its precision examined. When combined with endoscopy, this method can be utilized to measure the lengths and areas of objects inside human body cavities. The apparatus used consists of a catheter with three metal needles at the tip, a personal computer, and a commercially available videoendoscopy system. To test the system, a regulated voltage was passed between the catheter tip and a wooden board, and two salt solutions of different concentrations were ejected at three different angles from the catheter to the board. The coordinates of the board were then computed from the amperages of the currents passing through the three jets of saline, and optical distortion was corrected using the computer. The length and area of an object could be measured rapidly by setting electrically the coordinates to match the endoscopic image. Lengths ranging from 10 to 50 mm were measured while varying the distance between catheter tip and board (10, 20, and 30 mm), as well as the angle formed by the catheter and the board (45, 60, and 90 degrees). The mean measurement error was less than 5.6 % and accuracy was relatively independent of the angle between catheter and target.

To study the influence of gastric acid on the extension of the regenerative epithelium, 26 patients (28 ulcers) of gastric ulcer were examined by the stereo video-endoscope being able to measure the length and 24-hours intragastric pH monitoring. Extending speeds of the regenerative epithelium were measured from the time the regenerative epithelium of the ulcer was observed till the last examination, but which was limited 8 weeks after the first observation of the regenerative epithelium. The relationship was not observed between the extending speeds and the stages (A2-H1, H1-H2, H2-S1) of the ulcer. For 21 ulcers followed up by the stereo video-endoscope from active stage, the extending speed of the regenerative epithelium and the pH 3 holding time in a day were significantly correlated (r=0.51, p=0.014), and the same relationship (r=0.56, p=0.008) were observed in the nighttime. It was confirmed that the gastric acid regulated strongly the extending speed of regenerative epithelium of gastric ulcer. The intragastric circumstance of the low acid secretion induced by the antacid-drugs was considered to accelerate the extension of regenerative gastric epithelium. © 1994, The Japanese Society of Gastroenterology. All rights reserved.