Is your scope clean enough to kiss at midnight?!

While you probably won't be kissing it, it is extremely important to keep your endoscope clean and sanitized.

Give us a call at 845-277-1700 to learn more about the cleaning products we offer!

Scope looking a little prehistoric?

Is your scope looking a little prehistoric?

We can help it stand the test of time!

Give us a call at 845-277-1700 for more information on servicing or upgrading!

The Importance of Leak Testing Your Endoscope

Many of the flexible endoscopes we receive here at our ESS Service Department can be attributed to fluid invasion. "Fluid invasion" happens when some part of the endoscope allows external fluids (i.e. - body cavity fluids, water, cleaning solution, etc.) to get inside the parts of the endoscope that were never meant to come in contact with any form of moisture. Just about all medical endoscopes are designed to be water-tight so that the functioning parts of the endoscope (fiber bundles, CCD chip, articulating cables, etc.) stay dry while being used during a procedure or soaked in water and/or cleaning solutions.

Leak testing is the simplest way to help prevent serious (and expensive) damage to the flexible endoscope. 

While many manufacturers sell leakage testers, ESS sells the ATT-Series Airtight Leakage Testers with connectors to fit virtually ALL makes and models of endoscopes! It is a simple device that uses air pressure to pressurize your endoscope to see if there is a leak somewhere in the endoscope. They come with a 'bulb' to pump air into the endoscope and a dial to measure the air pressure. Once pumped to the proper pressure (indicated on the dial) the needle on the dial should not show a loss of pressure in the scope. If the needle drops slowly or rapidly for a steady period of time, then you have a leak. If you endoscope comes in contact with some type of fluid (such as a sterilization or cleaning soak) it will be possible for the water or cleaning/sterilization fluid to seep into the internal workings of the endoscope and cause damage.

Damages from fluid invasion can be as follows:

1. Fiber-optic Bundle Separation: otherwise known as "Red Crack," where the individual strands of the fiber-optic bundle separate and become unglued, giving the appearance of a reddish, spider-web pattern (the "Red Crack") across the view through your endoscope. The repair for this would be to send the instrument back to the manufacturer and have them install a new fiber-optic bundle; which could end up costing you thousands of dollars!
2. Fogging: If fluids get in between the fiber-optic bundle or the CCD chip behind the distal tip's optic lens, you can get a blurred or fogged view through the endoscope, which prevents you from properly viewing your subject through the endoscope.
3. Internal Corrosion: When fluids get inside the endoscope, the internal metal components can become corroded and/or rusted. This can effect the scope's articulation and the flexibility of the insertion tube. Most, if not all, flexible endoscope have a braided wire sleeve under the insertion tube's outer layer which helps to protect the internal components that run through the insertion tube. If it becomes corroded or rusted, it's flexibility will be hindered. The articulation dials move the flexible distal tip with a series of steel wires lubricated with silicone and is sealed inside the insertion tube. If they come in contact with fluids, the silicone lubrication can become contaminated and prevent the proper operation of the wires. There's also the possibility they can corrode and break away from the angulation controls - thus preventing you from properly operating the distal tip while doing a procedure.
4. Electronics Failure: Fluid invasion with a video endoscope can be just as devastating. Instead of the fiber bundles, the CCD Chip that records the image from your distal tip lens can become damaged - think of it as dropping your smart phone into a bucket of water and then trying to use it! Probably won't work so well. The fine copper wires that run from the CCD up to the electronic circuit board in the umbilical video connector can become corroded and prevent the signal from getting through. Also, the internal circuit boards, both in the handle (for camera controls in the handle), and the umbilical connector (for connection to the video processor) can become damaged and cease to function.

These can be very disheartening revelations for you and your practice/clinic/hospital. Having to shell out hundreds to thousands of dollars in repair as well as the loss of the use of your endoscope, can cost you time and income; which is extremely frustrating when you realize it could have easily been prevented!

First thing you should do is BUY A LEAKAGE TESTER!

Check out our selection of ATT-Series Leakage Testers over at our online store to see which one is the perfect fit for you!

If you have any questions about the Leakage Testers or how to leak test your endoscope, contact us and we'll help out!

Once you get your Leakage Tester, the best thing to do is to get into the habit of testing your endoscope(s) frequently. They should be tested before and after each procedure to ensure the scope is maintaining its water-tight seal. The ATT-Series Leakage Tester is portable enough that you can keep it on our equipment cart and immediately attach it to the endoscope to test right after your procedure is completed. Sometimes, when threading a biopsy instrument through the biopsy channel, the instrument head can get caught in the tube and make a tear. The biopsy channel is a thing, polyurethane tube that runs down your insertion tube to the distal tip. If you forced your instrument through and think you might have punctured the biopsy channel, a post-procedure leakage test would reveal if that is indeed the case. 

If you did tear your insertion tube, or your endoscope fails the leakage test for any other reason, make sure to send it in to our Service Department as quickly as possible! Our service technicians will evaluate and take the best course of action to get your endoscope back to you in tip-top shape!

The Importance of Having a Clean Scope

Are your scopes being cleaned properly?

Roughly 300 patients have been sickened by life-threatening infections linked to contaminated medical endoscopes.

According to a memo released by U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu, more than 41 hospitals worldwide (mostly in the U.S.) reported bacterial infections linked to the scopes, affecting 300 to 350 patients between 2010 and 2015.

Endoscopy Support Services can help you make sure your equipment is correctly cleaned and disinfected!

We have brushes, leak testers, solutions, and gas sterilizers available to make cleaning and disinfecting easy and done the right way.

You can also learn more about our Leak Testers and the Importance of Leak Testing Your Scope.

Want to know even more?

Visit our online store or contact us today!

Product Highlight - Disposable Cleaning Brushes

Have you heard about our

Disposable Cleaning Brushes?

The patented one-directional design features 20 mm long brushes at both ends to thoroughly clean your biopsy channel

They come to you as a pack of 10, with each brush individually packaged for convenient single-use.

These brushes are available in 2 different sizes for large or small biopsy channels!

The ESS DCB-1.72306 one-directional channel cleaning brush is designed to fit most endoscopes with channels from 2.4 mm to 4.2 mm and larger!

-Brush Diameter: 6.0 mm

-Brush Length: 20.0 mm

-Catheter Diameter: 1.7 mm

-For biopsy channels 2.0 mm to 4.2 mm diameter with a working length up to 220 cm. 

-Bristle diameter of 6.0 mm, will clean in channels larger than 4.2 mm and up to 4.5 mm

The ESS DCB-1.01202 one-directional channel cleaning brush is designed for channels 1.2 mm to 1.8 mm in small, specialty endoscopes!

-Brush Diameter: 2.0 mm

-Brush Length: 20.0 mm

-Catheter Diameter: 1.0 mm

-Catheter Length: 120 cm

-For biopsy channels 1.2 mm to 1.8 mm diameter with a working length less than 110 cm

Want to learn more about our 

Disposable Cleaning Brushes?

Check out our online store or contact us!

Don't forget to come back next week for another

Product Highlight!

The Importance of Having a Clean Scope

Are your scopes getting cleaned properly?

Roughly 300 patients have been sickened by life-threatening infections linked to contaminated medical endoscopes.

According to a memo released by U.S. Rep. Ted Lieu, more than 41 hospitals worldwide (mostly in the U.S.) reported bacterial infections linked to the scopes, affecting 300 to 350 patients between 2010 and 2015.

Endoscopy Support Services can help you make sure your equipment is correctly cleaned and disinfected!

We have brushes, leak testers, solutions, and gas sterilizers available to make cleaning and disinfecting easy and done the right way.

To learn more about our Anprolene Gas Sterilization for Vets, check out one of our previous Product Highlights!

You can also learn more about our Leak Testers and the Importance of Leak Testing Your Scope.

Want to know even more?

Visit our online store or contact us today!

PENTAX Reprocessing step-by-step

Brief Instructions for Manual Reprocessing

 from our friends at PENTAX.

(Please note: These instructions apply only for standard GI Endoscopes. For all other products, please refer to the instructions for use. Please see the instructions for use for your endoscope regarding which components may be brushed cleaned according to model)

Wipe insertion tube with a clean, lint-free cloth saturated with

 detergent solution immediately after examination. 

Alternately flush detergent solution and air through the suction channel.

Set the lever on the water bottle to "drain" and insufflate air alternately into air and water channel.

Clean any other channels (if present) with detergent solution. 

Disconnect the endoscope from the processor/light source and suction pump.

Attach the soaking cap on power supply connector. 

(For specialized devices, please use appropriate soaking cap according to your instructions.)

Remove all of the valves, the distal end cap (if present) and any further

 detachable components and submerge them in the detergent solution. 

Perform all further steps regarding reprocessing for these

 components according to your instructions. 

Perform Leakage Test 1- The Dry Test.

During the dry test move the angulation control knobs gently and

 rotate the ocular (if present) to see if the pressure drops. 

(If the pressure drops, discontinue Leakage Test 1, disinfect the 

endoscope externally, and contact ESS Service Department. )

Perform Leakage Test II- The Wet Test.

Submerge endoscope entirely in fluid; move the angulation 

control knobs and rotate the ocular (if present)

(If bubbles rise, discontinue Leakage Test II and

 contact ESS Service Department.)

Always disconnect Leak Tester from scope above the fluid surface. 

Brush clean all of the channels that may be cleaned with brushes using the appropriate brush under fluid surface, following your instructions. 

Start brush cleaning with the power supply connector.

Brush clean valve cylinder(s) and any other openings. 

Finally, brush clean the channels - starting at the control body and moving towards the distal ends. 

If there are cleaning adapters, connect them for filling the channels with cleaning solution. 

Remove adapter at the beginning of the exposure time. 

Remove endoscope and any detached components from the cleaning solution. 

Use the cleaning adapter to rinse all of the channels and 

rinse the external surfaces with clean water. 

Submerge endoscope entirely in disinfectant solution.

Submerge any valves, the distal end cap (if present) and any further detachable components in the disinfectant solution. 

Attach the cleaning adapter for filling the channels

 with disinfectant solution. 

Remove adapter at the beginning of the exposure time. 

Follow the manufacturer's specifications in regard to

 disinfectant solution concentration and exposure time. 

Remove endoscope and any detached components from the disinfectant solution

Rinse all the channels and external surfaces with sterile-filtered or sterile water. 

Dry the channels, using medical grade compressed air is recommended. 

Remove protective caps and cleaning adapters (if present)

Store the endoscope preferably by hanging it in a dust-free, well ventilated cabinet. 

Store valves, distal end cap (if present) and other 

removable components separately from the endoscope. 

Attach valves, distal end cap (if present) and other removable components. 

Inspect valve o-rings and change if they do not seal,

 moisten o-rings sparingly with silicone oil if necessary.

Connect endoscope to the processor/light source.

Perform functionality check.

Note:

Review the Instructions for further details. 

Only use approved detergent and disinfectant solutions and follow the instructions regarding concentration, exposure time and temperature. 

Steps 12 and 14 may also be performed with washer-disinfectors for flexible endoscopes. Washer-disinfectors may not be exposed to temperatures above 60 degrees C. Pressure for leakage test may not exceed 0.2 bar. 

(PENTAX Medical and Endoscopy Support Services, Inc. accepts no liablity for damages arising from improper reprocessing. Country-specific regulations must be observed. )

Tips on Proper Endoscope Handling.

Here's what you can do to help prevent damage in your equipment. 

These tips will give you ways to minimize repair frequency and costs.

Leakage Testing

Performing a rigorous leak test-both dry and wet- before completing scope reprocessing is one of the most important ways you can protect your endoscope from being damaged.
(You can refer to our previous post here to learn more
 about Leakage Testing) 

Handling and Transport

Your endoscope's lenses, cover glasses, and the distal end can be damaged if subjected to a significant shock. Likewise, control bodies and insertion tubes can be damaged from impact or excess pressure being placed on them. 

Careful handling and transport will reduce the risk of damage. 

If endoscopes are transported by hand, the distal end should be held in one hand to prevent the possibility of accidental impact. Also, endoscopes should be placed with their knobs up and never stacked. 

When it's necessary to ship a PENTAX Medical Endoscope, the original case should be used. 

Examination Room Layout

Optimizing the arrangement of the examination room can help avoid damage. In particular, buckling of the insertion tube and umbilical cable can be avoided with a carefully considered arrangement of the examination table, monitor, light source/processor and proper coiling of the scope. 

Storage

The endoscopes should be stored fully extended either freely hung up or laid down in a cabinet designed to hold flexible endoscopes. This prevents deformation or kinking damage and also allows the scope to drain.
(Check out the storage selection on our online store to see which one is the right fit for you!)

Accessories

Forceps, brushes, adapter, water bottles, o-rings, and all valves should be regularly examined for imperfections. Damaged equipment may scratch or perforate the endoscope's channels/ports.

Lubricants

Lubricants containing paraffin or Vaseline are unsuitable for PENTAX endoscopes. Lubricants of this type attack the surfaces of the tubing or the bending rubber. You can avoid deposits by carefully removing lubricant residues prior to disinfection or cleaning. 

If you have any questions about these tips, 

or want to know more, 

contact us!

PSK Presentation Video

Want to see how the easy-to-use PSK System is a 

more effective way to clean your endoscope? 

Check out these videos to learn more!

Want to know even more? 

Contact us or check out our online store 

for more information!