The insertion tube of an endoscope is equipped with an array of pressure sensors that provide real-time information of the pressure exerted by the insertion tube as it passes through a patients body during an endoscopic procedure. Pressure information may be displayed in real time, wherein regions of high pressure are highlighted. An alarm is generated when the pressure applied at any location inside the patients body exceeds safe limits. Further, sensors may be placed along the length of the insertion tube for measurement of distance travelled by the tip of an endoscope, which is integrated with measurement of the force applied by a physician in maneuvering the endoscope to determine applied force at a given location.
