1231 CE Online (1)

Sterile packaged endoscopes should be stored in an environment recommended by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (ANSI/ AAMI ST 79:2010/ A2:2011, Section 8.9.2): “…temperature in storage areas should be approximately…75° F..., at least 4 air exchanges per hour, and relative humidity…(to) not exceed 70% (AIA, 2006)”. CARE OF FLEXIBLE ENDOSCOPES Structure and Uses A flexible endoscope’s body is sheathed in a specialized flexible covering rather than the stainless steel used for a rigid endoscope. This flexible covering provides bending capabilities not available with a rigid endoscope. The distal lens offers a more panoramic view compared to a rigid endoscope. There are two types of flexible endoscopes: fiberoptic endoscopes and videoscopes. A fiberoptic endoscope has an eyepiece lens through which the image is viewed by direct vision or by using a camera connected to the eyepiece lens. A videoscope has the camera incorporated into the flexible fiberscope; it is equipped with a video chip positioned at the distal end of the endoscope (“chip on a stick”) to transmit the image directly to the video monitor. There are four main sections of a flexible endoscope (see Figure 9). 1. Control Body. This portion of the scope remains outside the patient and acts as a handle for the surgeon; it also contains the deflecting controls, biopsy port, air- water channels and eyepiece (if it is not a videoscope). 2. Insertion Tube. This is a flexible tube containing channels for the following items: a. operative devices, suction, irrigation and insufflation, b. light bundles that light from the light source to the internal body structure, and c. image bundles that carry the image from the body structure to the eye - piece or attached camera. 3. Deflection Controls. These are used by the surgeon to steer the lenses in various directions within the internal structure and manipulate the bending section at the distal tip. 4. Light-guide Connector Unit. This section connects to the light source; when using GI scopes, this would also include the suction and insufflation source.

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