The doctor sends you an endoscope for repair, and all he said is, that the scope is not working. Not working means that there is something wrong with it. Then, you will need to find the problem and fix it.
Some repairs might be simple while others can be more complex. You might have a duodenoscope TJF-Q180V not making the angulation, or some puzzling insertion tube problem like blistering, buckling or discoloration, or you have a foggy image on an image guide scope, or marie patterns on your hybrid scope, or blackout problems on the 190 H scopes, and so on. It can take a lot of time to figure out what the problem is and what caused it. How do you go about fixing these issues? It is easier to have someone to work with you.
Based on our years of experience with scope repair and engineering, we have concluded that there are four factors to be considered when addressing these problems with your scopes; 1. parts/material failure, 2, technical errors, 3.end user’s mishandling, 4. OEM design flaws.Today, I would like to talk about some problematic OEM designs, things that many might not notice.
The first example we have is a damaged light guide tub+e from a Stroz 11272VN. It has a thick elastic outer coating that detached from the inner monocoil, and the connection fittings on both ends. We found that the outer coating was actually only held at both ends with a metal ring glued on to the tube and glued into the fittings. This sepperation most likely happened when the doctor pulled on the cable, that stretched the elastic coating thin breaking the glue bonds, then it pulled away, exposing the monocoil and all the internals. Even though OEM added a cable in an attempt to prevent such an occance, it could only maintain the total length of the tube. In order to solve this problem our engineers developed a new type of tube with a coating bounded to the monocoil and braid that had the same flexibility and dimensions. The outer wall of this tube is unusually thick for regular light guide tubes and required development of new materials in order to achieve that wall thickness. The result is this, that while maintaining the same function, dimensions, appearance and feeling of the OEM design it has been upgraded to make it a more durable repair.
The 2nd example is when the doctor would lean on the light connector assembly and break the chassis inside. This can sever the light guide, crack the housing and it can also cause damage the air connector when the light prong twists where it is attached to the processor, and that is another major problem. Having a durable part is more than desirable, it is nessasary. Our engineers developed a more robust part , less prone to breakage and by changing from the cast pot metal part to a machined 6061 aluminum. We fill in the voids that make it strong to eliminate this type of material failure. In conclusion in stead of duplicating a part, we make it tougher.
Another example will be our featured product – bending sections. We make the bending sections functionally equivalent to the OEM specs, and have developed ways of making it more robust, easier to load the components through, smoother and with a full angulation range.
While tackling these scope problems sent by the doctors, we need to think inside and outside of the box to solve these problems, and to reduce or eliminate unnecessary repairs. Our technical department is composed of experienced endoscope repair technicians, and optical, materials and mechanical engineers. We support you in your daily repairs, from scope diagnostics, to tailored materials and parts, as well as in repairing and assembling that requires skills, techniques and knowledge.
