Total Scope
Total Scope, Inc.The Leader in Medical Device Repair
Scope Care Guide • Flexible Endoscopes

Most scope damage is preventable.
Here's how.

Every preventable repair takes a scope out of rotation. Most of the damage we see traces back to a handful of everyday habits. Here's what to watch for.

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7 in 10
flexible scope repairs we see are preventable damage.
What we see most: preventable damage repaired by Total Scope over the last 12 months, by area of the scope.
Bending section
19% Insertion tube, light guide & connector
18% Angulation system
16% Fluid invasion
12% Instrument channel
11% Air/water system (reprocessing)
7%
Everything else
17%

01Bending Section

The bending rubber is thin. One puncture lets fluid in.

  • DOUse a bite block on every upper procedure.
  • DOKeep needles, blades, and sharp accessories off the table where the scope rests.
  • DON'TSet the connector or anything hard on top of the bending section.
  • DON'TLet the tip hang where a door, lid, or cart can catch it.

02Instrument Channel

  • DOStraighten the scope as much as you can before passing an accessory.
  • DOKeep forceps and snares closed going in and coming out. Open them only past the tip.
  • DON'TForce an accessory that won't pass. Stop, reduce the loop, and try again.
  • DON'TUse a cleaning brush that isn't sized for that channel.

03Angulation

  • DOTurn the knobs smoothly and stop when you feel resistance.
  • DORelease both angulation locks before you insert, withdraw, or store the scope.
  • DON'TForce the knobs past the stop. It stretches the control wires and can break them.
  • DON'THang or store a scope with the angulation locked.

04Fluid Invasion

A small leak is a small repair. Fluid inside the scope turns it into a big one.

  • DOLeak test every scope, every time, before it goes into any liquid.
  • DOPut the water-resistant cap on the video connector before reprocessing.
  • DOTake the ETO venting cap off before leak testing or immersion. It goes on only for ETO gas and shipping.
  • DON'TKeep reprocessing a scope that failed a leak test. Pull it and call us.

05Insertion Tube, Light Guide & Connector

  • DOCoil the scope in large, loose loops in cases, sinks, and reprocessors.
  • DOCarry the scope with the control body and connector in hand, never dangling.
  • DON'TClose a case lid, cabinet door, or reprocessor lid on the tube or cord.
  • DON'TConnect with wet electrical contacts. Dry them completely first.
  • DON'TLean on or pull the connector while it's plugged in.

06Reprocessing & Air/Water Channels

Clogged nozzles and channels usually start in the first few minutes after the procedure.

  • DOPre-clean at the bedside right away: wipe the insertion tube, suction detergent, and flush air/water.
  • DOGet the scope to reprocessing fast. Dried debris is what clogs nozzles and channels.
  • DOFollow the manufacturer's steps for the air/water and auxiliary water channels, including the cleaning adapter.
  • DON'TLet a dirty scope sit. If there's a delay, follow your facility's delayed-reprocessing protocol.

When something seems off, pull it.

If a scope fails a leak test, the angulation feels loose, or the image changes, take it out of service and call us. Catching it early keeps the repair small.

The six habits

  1. Bite block on every upper procedure.
  2. Straighten before you pass an accessory.
  3. Unlock angulation before moving or storing.
  4. Leak test before any liquid. Every time.
  5. Big, loose coils. Nothing closes on the scope.
  6. Pre-clean at the bedside. Don't let it sit.