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As the incidents of cross-contamination amongst patients are increasing globally at an alarming rate, the adoption of single-use medical devices is predominantly rising. The single-use endoscope is a breakthrough technology that is currently revolutionizing the global endoscopy space to eliminate the risk of cross-contamination amongst patients.

Despite compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions, multiple outbreaks from contaminated reusable endoscopes, specifically duodenoscopes and bronchoscopes, still occur. Complex device designs hinder full-proof reprocessing of the devices difficult, making them the budding places for superbugs, leading to infection risks among patients. The increasing infection risks associated with reusable endoscopes, specifically duodenoscopes, bronchoscopes, and cystoscopes, are boosting this transition to disposable ones. For instance, in the US, the latest adverse event reports related to infection from contaminated scopes prompted the US FDA to recommend making endoscopes fully disposable or opting for endoscope design modifications. Government recommendations and preventive efforts, policies, and reimbursements have successfully powered innovation for efficient new technologies in the endoscopy market as single-use endoscopes are being recommended more now, specifically for duodenoscopes and bronchoscopes.