New Kid on the Block: “Speedboat”

Abstract

Innovations in devices and techniques have parallelly propelled the field of therapeutic endoscopy in gastrointestinal tract. With the development of endoscopic resection techniques and the availability of newly designed electrosurgical knives, the minimally invasive management of early gastrointestinal neoplasms has revolutionized. The currently available electrosurgical knives are monopolar devices, not equipped with injection needle and required to be exchanged with coagulation forceps for hemostasis. Monopolar electrosurgical devices require higher voltages with associated risks. A recent innovation in the field of endoscopic knives is a new device called “Speedboat” device, specially designed for use in endoscopic dissection procedures. This is a bipolar device that utilizes radio frequency energy for cutting and microwave energy for achieving hemostasis. Speedboat device possesses hemostasis capability and has an integrated injection needle that imparts an “all-in-one” quality to this device. Preliminary data suggest the safety and utility of this device in performing a variety of endoscopic dissection and resection procedures including endoscopic submucosal dissection, per-oral endoscopic myotomy, and resection of subepithelial tumors.

Novel devices for third‐space endoscopy procedures

“…The device is shaped like a "speedboat," with two cutting blades along the lateral sides. 11 Bipolar energy is released from the top blade and travels to the bottom blade, which acts as a return electrode (Fig. 2).…”

“…2). 11 For instance, the tip and convex edges are primarily used as a conventional needle‐type knife for mucosal incision, initial submucosal dissection, and dissection of fibrotic tissue. The straight edge of the Speedboat acts more as the “blade” of an insulated‐tip knife and can be used for submucosal dissection with repeated lateral movement.…”