Flexible Endoscopes

Flexible Endoscopes


Flexible Endoscopes are used to visualize and treat various parts of the internal components of the human body. The inherent complexity of these advanced medical devices make them challenging to reprocess. Introducing a damaged or improperly cleaned flexible endoscope into these structures deep within the patient's body can lead to higher risk of serious injury or nosocomial infections. Using a borescope to thoroughly assess the cleanliness and serviceability of flexible endoscopes can reduce the risk to the patient and minimize the cost of maintaining these expensive and sensitive devices.

Some points to consider when inspecting flexible endoscopes:

Preparation:
  1. Ensure borescopes are sized appropriately to view inside of all components of the sheath to be inspected

Areas to inspect:
  1. Exterior surfaces of scope, including:
    1. Control handpiece
    2. Function of control levers through the entire range of motion
    3. Insertion tube, including condition of bending rubber 
    4. All joints where scope components meet
    5. Light/electronic connector
    6. Distal tip of scope
  2. Air/water channels, including as much of the entire lumen as possible
  3. Air/water valves/valve ports
  4. Air/water connector
  5. Suction channels, including as much of the entire lumen as possible
  6. Suction valves/valve ports
  7. Suction connector
  8. Instrument channel(s) - pay close attention to:
    1. Change of sections or material
    2. Bending sections
  9. Specialty components, if applicable
    1. Ultrasonic transducer
    2. Elevator mechanism, such as with ERCP scopes

What to look for:
  1. Damage
    1. Exterior surfaces scratched, gouged or dented
    2. Bending rubber cracked or torn
    3. Connector mechanisms loose, worn or broken
    4. Air/water or suction valves loose, worn or broken
    5. Distal tip shows gaps between components or optical lenses cracked/scratched
    6. Lumen surfaces scratched or gouged
    7. Pitting from corrosion on metal surfaces
  2. Debris
    1. Filaments from cleaning implements
    2. Remnants of lumen or instrument damage
    3. Tissue fragments
    4. Blood clots
    5. Stool or other soil
  3. Discoloration
    1. Dried blood/body fluids
    2. Mold/mildew spotting
    3. Rust/corrosion
    4. Detergent/other processing solution deposits
    5. Base metal showing through stainless steel layer
    6. Hard water/mineral deposits
  4. Droplets
    1. Blood/body fluids
    2. Irrigation fluids
    3. Cleaning/processing fluid, including simethicone
    4. Rinse water



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