#end piece

FDA has given clearance to a duodenoscope that features a disposable elevator end piece, making it easier to guarantee that the scope is properly sterilized between patients.

The PENTAX Medical Video Duodenoscope ED34-i10T2 combines a sterile disposable elevator cap for single-patient use and simple disposal that advances the cleaning capability of the duodenoscope to help reduce the risk of cross-contamination and improve patient care with High-Definition image quality for detailed endoscopic visualization during ERCP procedures.

A few years ago, it was discovered that duodenoscopes are carriers of infections, because of design flaws and insufficient processing, causing multiple deaths as well as a shock to the scope industry.

Thanks to the disposable end piece of the new ED34-i10T2 duodenoscope, which has fewer parts to process when sterilizing.

Experts say that with the new device, there’s a 35% reduction in distal end reprocessing due to better access for cleaning and disinfection as well as disposability of the elevator.

Improving the safety of duodenoscopes is a top priority for the FDA since such devices remain critical to life-saving care for many patients.