Ultrasound Bronchoscopes For Sale

Tips and Guidelines for Buying a Bronchoscope

Flexible bronchoscope with plastic sheath, capable of insertion and manipulation through respiratory tract. A television camera on distal tip electronically transmits image through the endoscope for display and recording.

Tips for Buying a Bronchoscope

1. Image quality and ease-of-use are the two most important selection factors for bronchoscopes.

2. The best way to judge the bronchoscope's optical quality is through on-site equipment trials. Facilities are encouraged to use each system on a trial basis before purchasing, to allow physicians to offer their input.

3. Bronchoscopes vary in their image brightness and resolution, depth of focus, magnification, color differentiation, angle of vision, and field of view. Different types include fiber optic bronchoscopes and flexible bronchoscopes.

4. All controls should be clearly marked and easy to operate.

5. All bronchoscopes should be clearly marked with depth-of-insertion markers. Their dimensions may vary, especially between adult and pediatric models.

6. To aid the physician in estimating the location of the structures under view, markers should be no more than 10 cm apart, and their marked position should be accurate to within 1.0 cm.

7. Bronchial endoscopes should also be compatible with as wide a range of reprocessing agents and devices as possible.

8. The cleaning requirements of these bronchoscopes should be evaluated by facilities. They should also review their scope reprocessing protocol to ensure that it coincides with the scope manufacturer's reprocessing recommendations.

9. Some bronchial endoscopes have channels that can be cleaned with a brush.

10. The purchase of additional bronchoscopes may be needed to fulfill daily caseload requirements if EtO gas sterilization is the preferred reprocessing procedure.

11. Some facilities automate part of their reprocessing with liquid disinfecting or sterilizing units. Users should turn to the operator's manual when reviewing high-level disinfection or sterilization. They should also look at the hospital's infection control and risk management departments.

12. Before making a purchase, facilities should consider the sensitivity of the bronchoscope to heat, the required rinse time and temperature, the reuse life of the cleaning solution, and whether manual or automatic processing will be used.

13. Other factors to consider include: the shelf life of the cleaning solution, the minimum effective concentration, and associated disposal restrictions.

14. Buyers should also consider safety issues and cost-per-cycle, as well as the educational options provided by the manufacturer. Facilities should keep in mind that preventive maintenance training can help in avoiding costly repairs to delicate components.

15. Additional video hardware may be offered. This may include camera adapters, image processors, monitors, and image archiving equipment.

16. Buyers should confirm compatibility between the bronchoscope and an automatic bronchoscope reprocessor.