Endoscope Handling

Tips on proper endoscope handling

Learn what you can do to help prevent damage to 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.

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 to 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 and light source/processor and proper coiling of the scope.

Storage

The endoscope 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.

Accessories

Forceps, brushes, adapters, 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.