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CC BY 4.0 · Endosc Int Open 2025; 13: a27339780
DOI: 10.1055/a-2733-9780
Original article

Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions using the endoscope with a light-emitting diode light source

Authors

  • Katsuya Kikuchi 

    1   Endoscopy Systems Div. Medical Systems Business Div., FUJIFILM Corporation, Tokyo, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN34778)

  • Tomonori Yano 

    2   Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN12838)

  • Yoshikazu Hayashi 

    2   Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN12838)

  • Yuji Ino 

    2   Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN12838)

  • Takashi Ueno

    2   Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN12838)

  • Satoshi Ozawa

    3   Medical Systems Research & Development Center, Medical Systems Business Div., FUJIFILM Corporation, Kanagawa, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN34778)

  • Kentaro Sugano

    2   Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan (Ringgold ID: RIN12838)
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Abstract

Background and study aims

Light-emitting diodes are being developed as a light source for an endoscope system instead of xenon lamps, contributing to improved diagnostic capability. This system also has the advantage of consuming less power than a conventional endoscope system using xenon lamps. Power consumption associated with endoscopy is an important factor in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This study estimated the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by using a light-emitting diode endoscope system.

Methods

We calculated the power consumption and carbon dioxide emission reduction of the light-emitting diode endoscope system in comparison with a conventional endoscope system using a xenon light source. Calculations were based on actual data regarding operating time and the annual number of endoscopic procedures at Jichi Medical University Hospital. Estimates were also extended to a nationwide scale.

Results

If each type of endoscope system were used for all endoscopic procedures, the light-emitting diode endoscope system would reduce power consumption by 49% compared with the xenon endoscope system, resulting in a total power reduction of 838.7kWh, equivalent to 394.2 kg of carbon dioxide emissions. In Japan, the total power consumption would be reduced by 53%, corresponding to a total power reduction of 428,628.8 kWh, equivalent to 201,455.5 kg of carbon dioxide emissions.

Conclusions

We estimated the effect of reducing carbon dioxide emissions using the light-emitting diode endoscope system. Wider adoption of the light-emitting diode endoscope system is expected to contribute to usefulness of endoscopic diagnosis and reduction in environmental impact.

Keywords

Endoscopy Upper GI Tract - Diagnosis and imaging (LCI, BLI, NBI) - Endoscopy Lower GI Tract - Small bowel endoscopy


Publication History

Received: 04 April 2025

Accepted after revision: 03 October 2025

Article published online:
06 November 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

Bibliographical Record
Katsuya Kikuchi, Tomonori Yano, Yoshikazu Hayashi, Yuji Ino, Takashi Ueno, Satoshi Ozawa, Kentaro Sugano. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions using the endoscope with a light-emitting diode light source. Endosc Int Open 2025; 13: a27339780.
DOI: 10.1055/a-2733-9780
 

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