...For patients, one of the biggest problems with existing colonoscopy methods is that they require a doctor to use force to push the scope from behind. This is uncomfortable, and can sometimes damage or perforate the colon.

The ColonoSight, however, uses air pressure assisted pull technology to pull the scope into the colon. The forward force of the device is generated by a pneumatic mechanism just below the tip of the scope. This force draws the scope in, and the operator then navigates with the handles, drastically reducing the need to push from the back. Aside from making the procedure safer, it also reduces the amount of local anesthetic required.

Another benefit of the ColonoSight is that it uses disposable sheaths, eliminating the need for disinfection between procedures. This is a significant improvement for both doctors and patients since it cuts instrument downtime, and reduces the risk of infection.

The ColonoSight also uses an integrated LED (Light emitting diode) light source in the tip, eliminating the need for the traditional fiber-optics now being used in colonoscopy. Fiber-optics are costly to repair.

"The reduction in instrument downtime and in maintenance costs increases physician revenues," explains Avi Levy, the 43-year-old CEO of Sightline.

Aside from its role as an exploratory instrument, Levy, explains that ColonoSight can also be used for therapeutic treatment. More than 90 percent of colon cancer is caused by small polyps that grow inside the colon. Once the ColonoSight has identified the location of the polyp, it can remove it from the colon, thereby removing the source of the cancer...

...Sightline has two other products, ProctoSight and RectoSight, which have both received FDA and CE approval. The products are for used in rectal procedures. Sightline saw sales of a few hundred thousand dollars for these items in 2003, but decided it should focus firstly upon the ColonoSight, which Levy believes is a much larger potential market...

...Aside from the ColonoSight, Sightline believes its core technology has other wide-ranging applications in the huge, and lucrative gastro-intestinal market. Already the company has developed ThimbleCam, a patented finger camera for surgical and laparoscopic procedures. The camera, which already has CE certification, allows a doctor to see any place that can be reached with a finger. Small scale sales of this product have already begun...