EndoSim was developed as a direct result of 20 years of vetted research with more than 60 peer-reviewed publications demonstrating the efficacy of real tissue simulation. The timeline below highlights the stepping stones and researchers that have spurred the development of the ex-vivo training module for the endoscopy world.

EASIE-R ColoEASIE II.jpg
 
 

DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE

1997

The ‘Erlangen Active Simulator for Interventional Endoscopy’ (EASIETM) was created as a cooperation of the Departments of Gastroenterology and Surgery of the Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen in Germany by Juergen Hochberger and Martin Neumann.

1997–1999

CompactEASIETM and CompactEASIETM II were developed. Juergen Hochberger incorporated endoscopic features into the original surgical model of Martin Neumann and developed the CompactEASIETM, a portable version of the EndoTrainer.

2000

Kai Matthes, Founder and Owner of EndoSim, joined the EASIE team in 1998 and contributed by developing the ColoEASIE model, which was presented in 2000 in Boston, MA, USA. Juergen Maiss, another founding member of the EASIE team, modified this early colonoscopy simulator, resulting into the ColoEASIETM II

2002

Jonathan Cohen and Kai Matthes developed the NeoPapilla for ERCP training.

2010

Kai Matthes founded EndoSim to promote use of ex-vivo animal tissue simulation for use in endoscopy training.

2011

EndoSim added additional models to support ESD, EMR, Hemostatsis, EUS, and other models for various therapies and techniques within endoscopy.

2012

EndoSim added consulting services for organizations developing new technologies.

2013

EndoSim formalized partnerships with industry to develop emerging technologies.

2017

EndoSim moved to a new 6,000 square foot meeting, research, and training facility in Bolton, Ma.

 

PUBLICATIONS

  1. Hochberger J, Neumann M, Hohenberger W, Hahn EG. EASIE-Erlangen Education Simulation Model for Interventional Endoscopy--a new bio-training model for surgical endoscopy]. Biomed Tech (Berl). 1997;42 Suppl:334.

  2. Hochberger J, Neumann M, Hohenberger W, Hahn EG. Neuer Endoskopie-Trainer für die therapeutische flexible Endoskopie. Z Gastroenterol 1997; 35: 722-723.

  3. Hochberger J, Neumann M, Hohenberger W, Hahn EG. Neues Bio-Trainingsmodell für die operative flexible Endoskopie. Endoskopie heute 1997; 1: 117-118

  4. Hochberger J, Maiss J, Magdeburg B, Cohen J, Hahn EG. Training simulators and education in gastrointestinal endoscopy: current status and perspectives in 2001. Endoscopy. 2001 Jun;33(6):541-9.

  5. Hochberger J, Maiss J, Hahn EG.The use of simulators for training in GI endoscopy. Endoscopy. 2002 Sep;34(9):727-9.

  6. Hochberger J, Euler K, Naegel A, Hahn EG, Maiss J.The compact Erlangen Active Simulator for Interventional Endoscopy: a prospective comparison in structured team-training courses on "endoscopic hemostasis" for doctors and nurses to the "Endo-Trainer" model. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2004 Sep;39(9):895-902.

  7. Hochberger J, Matthes K, Maiss J, Koebnick C, Hahn EG, Cohen J. Training with the compactEASIE biologic endoscopy simulator significantly improves hemostatic technical skill of gastroenterology fellows: a randomized controlled comparison with clinical endoscopy training alone. Gastrointest Endosc. 2005 Feb;61(2):204-15.5

  8. Maiss J, Wiesnet J, Proeschel A, Matthes K, Prat F, Cohen J, Chaussade S, Sautereau D, Naegel A, Krauss N, Peters A, Hahn EG, Hochberger J. Objective Benefit of a 1-day Training Course in Endoscopic Hemostasis Using the “compactEASIE” Endoscopy Simulator. Endoscopy. 2005 Jun;37(6):552-8

  9. Maiss J, Matthes K, Naegel A, Hahn EG, Hochberger J. The ColoEASIE Simulator – A New Training Model for Interventional Colonoscopy and Rectoscopy. Endosk heute 2005; 18: 190-193

  10. Matthes K, Cohen J, Kochman ML, Cerulli MA, Vora KC, Hochberger J. Efficacy and Costs of a One-day Hands-on EASIE Endoscopy Simulator Train-The-Trainer Workshop. Gastrointest Endosc. Gastrointest Endosc. 2005 Dec;62(6):921-927

  11. Maiss J, Dumser C, Zopf Y, Naegel A, Krauss N, Hochberger J, Matthes K, Hahn EG, Schwab D. Hemodynamic Efficacy of Two Different Endoscopic Clipping Devices in the Treatment of Bleeding Vessels – An Experimental Testing Using a Bleeding Simulation Model. Endoscopy. Endoscopy. 2006 Jun; 38: 575-5

  12. Greenwald D1, Cohen J. Evolution of endoscopy simulators and their application. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2006 Jul;16(3):389-406.

  13. Maiss J, Millermann L, Heinemann K, Naegel A, Peters A, Matthes K, Hahn EG, Hochberger J. The compactEASIE((R)) is a feasible training model for endoscopic novices: A prospective randomised trial. Dig Liver Dis. 2006 Aug 28

  14. Matthes K. Simulator Training in Endoscopic Hemostasis. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2006 Jul;16(3):511-27

  15. Matthes K, Cohen J. The Neo-papilla – A New Modification of Ex-vivo Porcine Endoscopy Simulators for the Training of ERCP. Gastrointest Endosc. 2006 Oct;64(4):570-6.

  16. Hochberger J, Maiss J. Currently available simulators: ex vivo models. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2006 Jul;16(3):435-49. Review.

  17. Schöfl R, Buchmeier B, Hauder G. Adaptation of the Erlangen Active Simulator for Interventional Endoscopy (EASIE) model for transmural pancreatic pseudocyst drainage. Endoscopy. 2006 Jan;38(1):100.

  18. Maiss J, Prat F, Wiesnet J, Proeschel A, Matthes K, Peters A, Hahn EG, Sauterau D, Chaussade S, Hochberger J. Complementary EASIE-training is superior to solely clinical education in endoscopic hemostasis – The French Training Project: A prospective trial. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2006 Nov;18(11):1217-1225.

  19. Maiss J, Diebel H, Naegel A, Müller B, Hochberger J, Hahn EG, Raithel M. A novel model for training in ERCP with double-balloon enteroscopy after abdominal surgery. Endoscopy. 2007 Dec;39(12):1072-5.

  20. Yusuf T, Matthes K, Lee A, Goodman D, Robbins S, Stavropoulos S, Gress F. Evaluation of the EASIE-R simulator for the training of basic and advanced EUS. Gastrointest Endosc 69 (2), 2009, S264.

  21. Matthes K, Cohen J. Does Simulator Training in Colonoscopy Reduce Procedure-Related Complications? Techniques in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Nov 2007

  22. Matthes K. Simulator Training in Endoscopic Hemostasis. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2006 Jul;16(3):511-27

  23. Hochberger J, Maiss J, Matthes K, Costamagna G, Hawes RH. Education and Training. Gastroenterological Endoscopy, 2nd edition. (Classen M, Tytgat G, Lightdale C, eds). Thieme. 2010.

  24. Gromski MA, Alkhoury F, Lee SH, Matthes K. Evaluation of NOTES® Hands-On Courses by Novice and Experienced Surgeons at the SAGES Annual Meeting Learning Center. Surg Endosc April (2010) 24: P229

  25. Tsuda S, Matthes K, Derevianko A, Derevianko T, Mohsin A, Hashimoto D, Lau J. Validation of a High-Fidelity NOTES Simulator for Team Training. Surg Endosc April (2010) 24: P227

  26. Gromski MA, Brugge WR, Chuttani R, Sawhney M. Gress F, Matthes K. Development and Evaluation of a Novel Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) Simulator. Gastrointest Endosc. 2010 April;71(5): T1472

  27. Lee SH, Gromski MA, Derevianko A, Jones DB, Pleskow DK, Sawhney M, Chuttani R, Matthes K. Efficacy of a Prototype Endoscope with Two Deflecting Working Channels for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Prospective Comparative Ex-vivo Study. Gastrointest Endosc. Gastrointest Endosc. 2010 Jul;72(1):155-60. Epub 2010 May 20.

  28. Alemozaffar M, Narayan R, Minnillo B, Matthes K, San Francisco I, Nguyen H, Wagner A. A Novel High-Fidelity Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy Simulator. Journal of Endourology, Part B, Videourology. November 2010, 24. doi: 10.1089/vid.2010.0139

  29. Raizner A, Matthes K, Goodman AJ, Ho S, Robbins DH, Stavropoulos SN, Gress FG, Guthrie W, Lee Y. Evaluation of Novel Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) Training Simulator (the EASIE-R Simulator) for Teaching Basic and Advanced EUS: A Prospective Assessment of EUS Skills Using Objective Performance Criteria. Gastrointest Endosc. 2010 April;71(5): T1511

  30. Raizner A, Matthes K, Goodman AJ, Ho S, Robbins DH, Lee Y, Stavropoulos SN, Guthrie W, Gress FG. Evaluation of a New Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) Simulator (EASIE-R Simulator) for Teaching Basic and Advanced EUS. Gastrointest Endosc. 2010 April;71(5): T1512

  31. Matthes K, Jung Y, Kato M, Gromski MA, Chuttani R. Efficacy of full-thickness GI perforation closure with a novel over-the-scope clip application device: an animal study. Gastrointest Endosc. 2011 Oct 7. Gastrointest Endosc. 2011 Dec;74(6):1369-75. Epub 2011 Oct 7.

  32. Ende A, Zopf Y, Konturek P, Naegel A, Hahn EG, Matthes K, Maiss J. Strategies for training in diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy - a prospective randomized trial. Gastrointest Endosc. 2012 Feb;75(2):254-60. Epub 2011 Dec 7.

  33. Naegel A, Bolz J, Zopf Y, Matthes K, Mueller B, Kraus F, Neurath MF, Maiss J. Hemodynamic efficacy of the over-the-scope clip in an established porcine cadaveric model for spurting bleeding. Gastrointest Endosc. 2012 Jan;75(1):152-9. Epub 2011 Nov 17.

  34. Matthes K, Gromski MA, Hawes R. Training in NOTES. “Successful Training in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy,” edited by Cohen J. Wiley-Blackwell. April 2011

  35. Dunkin B, Matthes K, Jensen D. Training in Hemostasis. “Successful Training in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy”, edited by Cohen J. Wiley-Blackwell. April 2011

  36. Kato M, Jung Y, Gromski MA, Chuttani R, Matthes K. Prospective, randomized comparison of 3 different hemoclips for the treatment of acute upper GI hemorrhage in an established experimental setting. Gastrointest Endosc. 2012 Jan;75(1):3-10. Epub 2012 Jul 18.

  37. Kato M, Jung Y, Gromski MA, Chuttani R, Tajiri H, Matthes K. The learning curve of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) in an Established Experimental Setting. Surg Endosc. 2013 Jan;27(1):154-61.

  38. Sankaranarayanan G, Matthes K, Nemani A, Ahn W, Kato M, Jones DB, Schwaitzberg S, De S. Needs Analysis for Developing a Virtual Reality NOTES Simulator. Surg Endosc. 2013 May;27(5):1607-16. Epub 2012 Dec 18.

  39. Chin LI, Sankaranarayanan G, Dargar S, Matthes K, De S. Objective Performance Measures Using Motion Sensors on an Endoscopic Tool for Evaluating Skills in Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES). Stud Health Technol Inform. 2013;184:78-84.

  40. Jung Y, Kato M, Lee J, Gromski M, Chuttani R, Matthes K. Effectiveness of circumferential endoscopic mucosal resection with a novel tissue-anchoring device. World J Gastrointest Endosc. 2013 Jun 16;5(6):275-80.

  41. Jung Y, Kato M, Lee J, Gromski M, Chuttani R, Matthes K. Prospective, Randomized Comparison of a Prototype Endoscope with Deflecting Working Channels vs. a Conventional Double-Channel Endoscope for Rectal Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection in an Established Experimental Simulation Model (with Video). Gastrointest Endosc. 2013 Jun 5.

  42. Gonzalez JM, Bonin EA, Vanbiervliet G, Garnier E, Berdah S, Matthes K, Barthet M. Evaluation of feasibility, efficiency and safety of a pure NOTES gastrojejunal bypass with gastric outlet obstruction, in an in vivo porcine model. Endosc Int Open. 2013 Dec;1(1):31-8

  43. Roche CA, Sankaranarayanan G, Dargar S, Matthes K, De S. Kinematic Measures for Evaluating Surgical Skills in Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES). Stud Health Technol Inform. 2014; 196:339-45.

  44. Alemozaffar M, Narayanan R, Percy A.G, Minnillo B, Steinberg P, Haleblian G, Gautam S, Matthes K, Wagner AA. Validation of a novel, tissue-based simulator for robotic assisted radical prostatectomy. J Endourol. 2014 Jun 23.

  45. Dargar S, Brino C, Matthes K, Sankaranarayanan G, De S. Characterization of Force and Torque Interactions during a Simulated Transgastric Appendectomy Procedure. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng. 2014 Nov 12.

  46. Jung Y, Lee J, Gromski MA, Kato M, Rodriguez S, Chuttani R, Matthes K. Assessment of the Length of Myotomy in Peroral Endoscopic Pyloromyotomy (G-POEM) Using a Submucosal Tunnel Technique. Surg Endosc. 2014 Nov 26.

  47. Gonzalez JM, Saito K, Kang C, Gromski M, Sawhney M, Chuttani R, Matthes K. Prospective randomized comparison of gastrotomy closure associating tunnel access and over-the-scope clip (OTSC) with two other methods in an experimental ex vivo setting. Endosc Int Open. 2015 Feb; 3(1):E83-9.

  48. Jung Y, Lee J, Gromski MA, Kato M, Rodriguez S, Chuttani R, Matthes K. Assessment of the length of myotomy in peroral endoscopic pyloromyotomy (G-POEM) using a submucosal tunnel technique (video). Surg Endosc. 2015 Aug;29(8):2377-84.

  49. Schwaitzberg SD, Dorozhkin D, Sankaranarayanan G, Matthes K, Jones DB, De S. Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES): emerging trends and specifications for a virtual simulator. Surg Endosc. 2016 Jan;30(1):190-8.

  50. Gonzalez JM, Saito K, Kang C, Gromski M, Sawhney M, Chuttani R, Matthes K. Prospective randomized comparison of gastrotomy closure associating tunnel access and over-the-scope clip (OTSC) with two other methods in an experimental ex vivo setting. Endosc Int Open. 2015 Feb;3(1):E83-9.

  51. Schwaitzberg SD, Dorozhkin D, Sankaranarayanan G, Matthes K, Jones DB, De S. Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES): emerging trends and specifications for a virtual simulator. Surg Endosc. 2016 Jan;30(1):190-8.

  52. Matthes K, Cohen J. Does Simulator Training in Colonoscopy Reduce Procedure-Related Complications? Tech Gastrointest Endosc. 2007 Oct;9(4):242-245.

  53. Matthes K, Thakkar S. See one, simulate one, do one, teach one – the value of hands-on simulator training in interventional endoscopy. Tech Gastrointest Endosc. 2011 April;13(2):111-112

  54. Matthes K, Dunkin BJ, Jensen DM. Simulator Training in Endoscopic Hemostasis. Tech Gastrointest Endosc. 2011 July;13(3).

  55. Adarsh TM, Gromski MA, Matthes K. “Endolumenal Closure of Fistulas and Perforations”. Book of Advanced Gastrointestinal Surgery. Fahey TJ (Ed.). World Scientific Publishing Co. (in press).

  56. Gromski MA, Matthes K. Gromski MA and Matthes K. “Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES)”, in Minimally Invasive Surgery: Laparoscopy, Therapeutic Endoscopy and NOTES. JP Medical Ltd. September 29, 2014

  57. Simulation in Advanced Endoscopy: State of the Art and the Next Generation. Tech Gastrointest Endosc. 2011 July;13(3).

  58. Gromski MA, Saito K, Gonzalez JM, Cohen J, Changdon K, Moore A, Matthes K. Colonic Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection: A Prospective Learning Curve Study Using a Novel Ex-Vivo Simulator. (in press, Surg Endosc).

  59. Gweon TG, Matthes K. Prospective, Randomized Ex Vivo Trial to Assess the Ideal Stapling Site for Endoscopic Fundoplication with Medigus Ultrasonic Surgical Endostapler. Gastroenterol Res Pract. 2016;2016:3161738.

  60. Gromski MA, Ahn W, Matthes K, De S. Pre-clinical Training for New Notes Procedures: From Ex-vivo Models to Virtual Reality Simulators. Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am. 2016 Apr;26(2):401-12.

  61. Gonzalez JM, Cohen J, Gromski MA, Saito K, Loundou A, Matthes K. Learning curve for endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) of pancreatic lesions in a novel ex-vivo simulation model. Endosc Int Open. 2016 Dec;4(12):E1286-E1291.

  62. Gromski MA, Cohen J, Saito K, Gonzalez JM, Sawhney M, Kang C, Moore A, Matthes K. Learning colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection: a prospective learning curve study using a novel ex vivo simulator. Surg Endosc. 2017 Mar 9.