Common Questions in Flexible Endoscopy
When clinical staff members who have contact with your flexible scope inventory truly understand scope nomenclature, how a scope works and proper handling, your facility or department should have fewer incidents of damage due to improper handling or accidental breakage. But what happens when something does go wrong? Do you understand symptoms of problems and how to prevent a minor problem from becoming an expensive repair?  M.E.R. has the answers you need.
Why is my scope foggy?
The camera lens is broken and needs to be repaired. Fluid invasion is possible. Do not hang the scope; send for repair immediately.
Why is the endoscope beeping on its own?
Possible fluid invasion or loose connection internally on the microswitches. Do not hang the scope; send for repair immediately.
Why does the endoscope angulate in only 3 directions?
Broken angulation cable.
Slipped stopper on angulation cable.
An angulation is needed.
A coil pipe is detached from insertion tube.
What does excessive play mean?
The angulation cables have stretched and need to be adjusted.
What does reduced angulation mean?
Angulation stoppers need to be adjusted; no wires need to be shortened.
Why do I feel bumps when passing a brush or forcep through the channel?
Channel is possibly kinked or bent.
The instrument is damaged or bent.
The channel is obstructed.
What causes a buckle?
Coiling the endoscope in too tight a radius.
Bending or pressing down on insertion tube during the procedure.
Why does the video image slowly turn gray or foggy during procedures, and then turn back to normal?
The camera head seal on the distal tip is broken or cracked.
Possible fluid invasion. Do not hang; send for repair immediately.
Why can I see debris when I look into the light guide connector prong?
Possible broken light guide(s).
The scope has a possible fluid invation. GRAVITY + FLUID= DIRTY PRONG.   (When a scope is hung with fluid trapped inside, the fluid and lubricants automatically flow to the end of the scope).
Should I hang a scope that I know is flooded?
No, it can cause corrosion and further internal damage. Send for repair immediately.
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