Endoscopy accessories and supplies are used every day to perform a medical procedure that is minimally invasive to the patient. The endoscope is inserted into the body to examine the surfaces of organs and assess possible damage or disease. This instrument comes in many types, and can be flexible or rigid, depending on its use.

Endoscopy supplies are an essential tool for doctors who need to get a visual image from inside the body, and most medical professionals find them relatively easy to use. There are still opportunities for endoscope accessories and supplies education and training through:

1. Training courses that teach proper use of an endoscope and endoscopy supplies.

2. Seminars that provide news on the latest technology.

3. Instructional materials, such as books and videos.

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Attend training courses from endoscopy equipment manufacturers and other organizations

The best way to learn how to operate an endoscope is to take a course in operation practices. You can find many of these courses provided by manufacturers, but many are also provided by industry organizations to teach operation and repair techniques.

I recommend: Matlock Endoscopic Repair provides training courses for clinical staff to teach them how to make minor repairs to endoscopic equipment. The Endoscopy Training Institute provides many courses that teach professionals to use endoscopic accessories, and offer hands-on training and certification.

Sign up for seminars and workshops to learn more about endoscope supply

Seminars can provide healthcare professionals with more than just additional training in endoscopy. They also give attendees a glimpse at the latest innovations in technology, train them in specialized skills, and offer hands-on training for a variety of applications. Most seminars take a day or less to complete, and some offer additional certification in one or more areas.

I recommend: STERIS offers a seminar called "Issues in Endoscopy," which provides endoscopy education and review. GE Healthcare provides in-house seminars and workshops that teach people to use of its line of endoscopy supplies.

Find training materials provided by endoscopy equipment suppliers and healthcare organizations

Besides training courses, there are many self-study opportunities for those who want to learn more advanced endoscope techniques. Many of these resources are a convenient way to train for additional certification. They include simulation programs, books, webinars and DVD training videos.

I recommend: Simbionix provides 3D simulation program and equipment for those who want to perfect their endoscopy techniques. EndoNurse offers continuing education resources for nurses who use endoscopy supplies. Some of the resources include practice guidelines, ebooks and webinars.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most training from endoscopy device manufacturers is limited to those who are already in the medical profession. However, some training courses are designed to teach endoscope supplies basics to sales teams.

Find the right endoscope accessories and supplies for your practice or hospital with one click of the mouse. From trumpet valves to endoscope forceps to cleaning brushes, carts and more, endoscopy accessories come in many shapes and sizes and are available from a variety of endoscopy equipment suppliers.

You might also be looking for other endoscope supplies such as storage cabinets, bite blocks, wall racks, endo scrubs, leak testers, replacement lamps or bulbs. These endoscope accessory items are easy to find, and even easier to purchase. When pricing these items for your practice, consider the following suggestions:

1. Run an inventory on your existing endoscope supply parts and accessories.

2. Speak to the dealer who sold you your endoscope about what additional endoscopy accessories are available with your make and model of endoscope.

3. Price out the necessary or ancillary endoscopy accessories through multiple vendors to make sure you get the best price.

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Purchase backups for critical endoscopy accessories, like lights and bulbs

Additional lights and bulbs should be one of the first endoscope supplies that you purchase. They will be one of the first items that you run out of as you use your equipment and having backup on hand can alleviate any lag time between order and receipt.

I recommend: Purchase processors and light sources from Endoscopy Resources with a 7-day, no obligation trial period. Look at the light sources available through 1800Endoscope.com. Check out the autoclavable light guides from Alternative Endoscope Instruments. Use Endoscopy.MD to find laparoscopy and arthroscopy equipment accessories.

Include carts or cases in your next endoscope accessories purchase

Carts and caddies should be another of the endoscope accessories that you consider. They are great for storage and make your unit mobile.

I recommend: Find endoscope storage and protection caddies from Aztec Medical Products. Check out the endoscopy carts from EndoChoice. Check out the scope trays from MED-STOR. You can also find a motorized endoscopy cart from PHS West.

Purchase used endoscopy supplies if you're on a tight budget

If cost is an issue, consider pre-owned endoscopy supplies for your practice or teaching setting. Purchase from a reputable reseller of equipment and ask about warranty information.

I recommend: Find used endoscope equipment and accessories from Pro Scope Systems. Coast to Coast Medical also has used endoscopes, parts and accessories. Buy additional accessories and equipment from Production Engineering - Medical Equipment Division. Look at the new and pre-owned inventory of Endoscopy Specialists.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Include cleaning tools with your required list of endoscopy supplies. You will be required to clean and sterilize your equipment between uses, so find top of the line equipment and solvents to do the sanitizing.

Endoscopy is a minimally invasive type of procedure done using a tube (rigid or flexible) that provides an image of a specified area of the body using fiber optic and computer technology. Endoscopy supplies and accessories come in various sizes and shapes, according to their intended use, and are available from a variety of suppliers. It is important to understand the terms related to the accessories or supplies necessary to perform each type of a specific exam.

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Couplers and splitters

Optical couplers and splitters are devices that transfer images taken by endoscopes to medical-monitoring equipment and instrumentation displays. They are utilized in almost every diagnostic exam that necessitates an endoscope.

I recommend: Integrated Publishing has information, as well as diagrams, on couplers and splitters.

Endoscope cytology brushes

These specialized brushes collect, for examination, cells removed from surfaces of mucosa. A sterile cytology brush passes through the endoscope to the area that's being examined, withdrawing the sample.

I recommend: Cook Medical has a cytology brush that has a double lumen, allowing a wire to be guided to the specific area to be biopsied.

Endoscopy biopsy forceps

Biopsy forceps are utilized during endoscopic examinations to aid in diagnosing both malignant and non-malignant (benign) disorders and can be used in many different types of endoscopic procedures, such as colonoscopy or upper endoscopy.

I recommend: Boston Scientific makes biopsy forceps to collect specimens for examination.

Snare

A snare is a type of surgical instrument that has a loop of wire on the end that is controlled by a mechanism, usually found in the instrument's handle, which is used to remove tumors, polyps and other types of growths.

I recommend: The Free Dictionary has concise information on surgical snares and their uses.

Needle holders

Needle holders (needle forceps) are used when doing an endoscopic procedure. The physician utilizes these to grip a needle while in the body. These types of holders help to stabilize a suturing area while firmly gripping the suture needle.

I recommend: Lexic Us has a definition and pictures of these surgical instruments.

Surgical dissectors

Surgical, or endoscopic, dissectors are used to separate or cut apart tissues so they can be examined. Dissectors can be sharp or blunt. An example of a type of sharp dissector instrument is a scalpel; blunt types of dissector instruments include curettes and elevators.

I recommend: Information on dissectors can be found in the Surgery Encyclopedia.

The endoscope was a breakthrough advancement in the medical tools field making procedures that were once very complex much less invasive. The small tube and camera inserted into a tiny hole in the body makes for a much easier diagnostic tool. The use of endoscopy is seen in many medical fields from gynocology to pulmenary procedures.

Endoscope accessories and supplies types and styles vary widely depending on their use. Most scopes need different size tubes, lights, cupplers and other accessories. It's important to understand the exact use of the scope before ordering any endoscopy supplies or accessories for it. To review the available accesories:

1. Compare endoscope supply options.

2. Review the options available from suppliers of endoscopy accessories.

3. Find specialized video endoscope information.

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Shop for endoscope systems based on their use

Endoscopes are used in the medical, venternarian and even industrial world. While some manufacturers stick to a certain medical field or industrial job, other sell endoscopes for several uses. Find a manufacturer or distributor that sells many types of scopes for many fields to easily compare your options.

I recommend: Read the reviews of endoscopy equipment at the American Society of Gasterointestinal Endoscopy website, or compare equipment options at United Endoscopy. They carry products and provide information for gynecology, pulmenary, orthopedics, urology and many more medical and industrial fields including veterinary medicine. HMB Endoscopy Products are endoscopy equipment suppliers with many scope options.

Look for endoscope replacement supplies and accessories

Find endoscopy accessories for virtually any field. From lights to forceps, endoscopy equipment ranges in sizes and styles depending on the use. Shop for supplies with a specific field in mind.

I recommend: Endoscopy Replacement Parts manufacturers parts for rigid and flexible endoscopes. They carry a full line of accessories and replacement parts. For more accessory information, browse the large selection available at Endoscopy Support Services. If you would like to find a more economical replacement part or accessory, review the selection of scopes and accessories available at 1800Endoscope.com.

Look for an endoscopy device manufacturer that produces video options

The endoscoope is even made with video capabilities. The video endoscope can be used for real time images of certain areas. The otoscope is used in the otology to view the ear canal easily. The video endoscope is used in many other fields including gastrointeology.

I recommend: The Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology website provides an explanation of how the upper GI endoscopy works. For video endoscope options, review the information at Endoscopy4You.com. Another newer option in video endoscopy is the video capsule that makes capturing images a very mobile option. The Yale Medical Group provides an article on the video endoscopy capsule.