Flexible endoscopes in healthcare are used in various medical procedures to diagnose and treat conditions such as reflux, ulcers, polyps, and other intestinal diseases.

What are Flexible Endoscopes?
Components and Types of Flexible Endoscopes
Flexible endoscopes are delicate, complex medical devices requiring special care, handling, and reprocessing. Typical components of a flexible endoscope include:

Handling Flexible Endoscope
Mechanical System: Control body, insertion tubes, lights, and bendable sections
Imaging Systems: Often video fiberoptic cables, connectors, and water-resistant caps
Channels: Suction and biopsy channels, as well as air or water and elevator guide wires
Accessories: Valves, biopsy forceps, snares, and dilators
While many flexible endoscopes have similar components, each device type is unique and specialized, often for a specific procedure. A few examples include:
Gastroscopes – Used to examine the upper digestive tract
Colonoscopes – Used during colonoscopy procedures to view the large intestine
Bronchoscopes – Used to check airways, including lungs
During a procedure, these complex endoscopes and their internal channels/lumens are exposed to various body fluids and chemistries that are transferred to surfaces and inside channels or lumens. Before the endoscope can be available for the next patient, it must undergo a series of reprocessing steps to remove microorganisms and bioburden to a level safe for that next patient.
With more than 20 million gastroenterology procedures each year and various procedures using flexible endoscopes expected to grow at 1.3% from 2023-2030, sterile processing and endoscopy technicians have many complex endoscopes that need reprocessing.
What is Endoscope Reprocessing?
Flexible and Rigid Endoscope
Endoscope processing is the process of cleaning and disinfecting reusable endoscopes before patient use. Due to the complex, intricate design, flexible and semi-rigid endoscopes should be handled properly to prevent damage, and device instructions for use (IFU) should be followed for proper reprocessing.

The process starts with point-of-use treatment, leak testing, manual cleaning, and recertification program. An automated endoscope reprocessor (AER) may perform cleaning to provide redundancy, followed by high-level disinfection (HLD) or liquid chemical sterilization (LCS). The process is then completed by drying and storing the endoscope prior to its next use. Transporting of the endoscope is performed at various stages of the workflow. Each process step is equally important to ensure the endoscope is safe for patient use.
Why is Endoscope Reprocessing Important?
Over 250 million endoscopies are performed each year globally
Minimally invasive procedures, like endoscopies, are growing by leaps and bounds every year. Over 250 million endoscopies are performed globally each year, with this number continuing to grow year over year1. With the increase of these procedures, regulations, standards, and guidelines have been established. To reduce the risk of infections using these reusable devices and to ensure the highest level of patient care and safety.
Endoscope Processing Steps
What are the 6 basic steps required for reprocessing a flexible endoscope?
1. Point-of-Use Treatment
2. Leak Testing
3. Manual Cleaning and Verification
4. HLD or LCS
5. Endoscope Drying and Storage
6. Transporting of Endoscopes