How to inspect a rigid endoscope in the most reliable way - Blog

Reliable Methods for Rigid Endoscope Inspection

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Are you aware that there's a more efficient, effective, and objective approach to evaluate your endoscope?

This guide will elucidate the "Reliable Methods for Inspecting an Endoscope," complete with illustrative images.

Special thanks to Jessie Lopez, a renowned educator in sterilization departments and an exceptional Quality Assurance manager, for her collaboration on this blog.

In this article, we detail steps that help confirm your rigid endoscope is devoid of defects and safe for re-use. For further resources, you can download the "Functional Test Checklist for Rigid Endoscope" through the provided link.

The focus of this article is a 10 mm, 30-degree rigid endoscope used in our assessments.

1. 1. Conduct a Visual Examination

Pursue light magnification during the first three steps:

1. Start by inspecting the main body of the endoscope thoroughly for any visible cracks or oddities.
2. Look through the tip to ensure the lens remains clear and unblemished.
3. Verify light transmission via a basic illumination source, ensuring it travels through the scope correctly.

1. 2. Analyze Fiber Optic Integrity

Next, assess potential fiber optic deficiencies. Raise the endoscope and look through the tip, reversing your view to check both sides, ensuring that light is consistently flowing through.

1. 3. Verify Connector Functionality

Ensure the two light source connector sleeves operate smoothly without resistance.

1. 4. Text Visibility Check

Hold a small piece of text, using the 30-degree lens angle to evaluate visibility clarity. Maintain a viewing distance of about 25 mm to evaluate whether the clarity is acceptable or if it's shrouded.

After conducting a visual inspection, enhance accuracy and reduce potential risks by utilizing an Automated Endoscope Testing System, such as LightControl.

Automated System Inspection

Utilize Dovideq Medical's ScopeControl Endoscope Testing Device for a comprehensive evaluation.

1. Start by connecting the light adapter to the endoscope.
2. Securely mount the endoscope within the ScopeControl Device, locking it into place.
3. Attach the testing device light source to the scope adapter.
4. Ensure the endoscope remains straight and undistorted while sliding it through a plastic aperture with a central hole, held in position.
5. Before securing the testing device, note the model number of the endoscope.
6. Finalize closure of the ScopeControl, selecting the brand, model number, and serial number on the screen. Proceed to select "Test Endoscope," which typically lasts about one minute.
7. The device will evaluate six critical factors of the endoscope’s functionality (light transmission, color accuracy, focus, view angle, field of view, and fiber quality). Results are presented through an intuitive Pass/Fail 3-star grading system, determining the endoscope’s reusability.

This testing apparatus identifies deficiencies at earlier stages than traditional methods would allow, delivering precise and in-depth results. This significantly lowers the risk of unnoticed issues and ensures that damaged scopes do not make their way into the Operating Theatre.

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