Philosophy and Technology

ENDOSCOPIC HYGIENE, 'MADE BY PENTAX'

The role of hygiene (from the ancient Greek for health, healing) in medicine is clearly defined. It describes all sanitary measures which serve to maintain a patient's health.

In an age of growing public awareness of health, manufacturers of endoscopes must also pay due regard to the question of hygiene. Their task is to provide medical practitioners with instruments which allow endoscopy to be performed comfortably and under absolutely hygienic conditions.

Hygienic endoscopy is thus more than just a trend, it is now a vital element in endoscope design and in endoscopic practice.

Hygiene as an element of endoscope design.

• The distal cap of the 40 Series and W Series conducts air and water over the objective lens, thereby replacing the previous air/water nozzle construction. The cap can be removed and replaced in one action; making the channels freely accessible for cleaning brushes.
• The removable distal cap offers some significant hygienic advantages:
  • it prevents the nozzles from becoming blocked,
  • it minimizes cleaning and repair costs,
  • it provides a noticeably reduced flow resistance during preparation.
  • it simplifies monitoring of effective disinfection.
• To facilitate cleaning, the duodenoscope is also fitted with a removable distal cap which permits easy access to the air/water channels.
• Thorough mechanical cleaning is a prerequisite of effective disinfection. For this reason, the air/water channels can be completely brushed and rinsed from the PVE connector via the control body to the distal end.
• The control-wire channel of the duodenoscope is completely closed - a design which has effectively eliminated the risk of infection from this area.
• The water jet channel in the video colonoscope also satisfies the very highest standards of hygiene. The water jet channel can be brush-cleaned and rinsed.
• The air/water feeding and suction control valves on the control body are autoclavable, making sterilization procedures easier and increasing safety.
• The PVE connector is fitted with a rotatable head which reduces the likelihood of twisting or kinking and makes putting the endoscope into a confined preparatory cleaning device simpler.