Common Endoscope Malfunctions and Maintenance

I. Common Malfunctions

1. Water leakage from the forceps channel: This is caused by improper use of biopsy forceps and other accessories, resulting in damage to the forceps channel.
2. Broken catheter bundle: Caused by prolonged use and improper bending of the tube.
3. Insufficient bending angle: Broken wire tip: Caused by prolonged use and wear.
4. Insufficient bending angle: Detachment of the rear end of the wire and elongation of the wire after a period of use (under properly bent conditions).
5. Water leakage from the bent rubber: Mostly caused by impact damage; replace the dedicated rubber.
6. Nozzle blockage: Caused by incomplete cleaning; replace the nozzle.
7. Numerous black spots or cracks on the imaging bundle: Caused by prolonged use or improper maintenance of the fiber scope.
8. Blurred electronic endoscope lens: Specific malfunction requires water leakage test, drying, disassembly and inspection for precise determination of the repair method.
9: Mesh-like appearance when the electronic endoscope is angled: Caused by breakage of the CCD root wire due to prolonged use.

II. Common Troubleshooting Guide for Digestive Endoscopes
        Endoscopes have very precise manufacturing processes, and some common malfunctions are often caused by improper operation. The following is an introduction to the causes and prevention methods of several common malfunctions.
(I) Nozzle Blockage
1. Accidental collision of the distal end with a hard object → nozzle deformation → nozzle blockage (Improper endoscope maintenance is the main cause of blockage).
2. Failure to immediately clean the endoscope after use → dirt solidifies in the nozzle → nozzle blockage.
3. Failure to thoroughly clean the endoscope with detergent before disinfection → disinfectant solidifies proteins → nozzle blockage.
4. Incorrect direction when wiping the lens surface → cotton gauze gets stuck in the nozzle → nozzle blockage.
5. Using a needle to pick or attempting to remove the nozzle yourself after blockage → nozzle damage or easier blockage of the internal tube → nozzle blockage.
6. Using problematic cleaning accessories during cleaning and disinfection → dirt is flushed into the endoscope → nozzle blockage.
(II) How to Avoid Nozzle Blockage
1. Handle the endoscope with care.
2. Clean the endoscope immediately after use.
3. Thoroughly clean the endoscope before disinfection.
4. Wipe the lens surface in the direction of the nozzle.
5. Do not use a needle to pick or remove the nozzle yourself after blockage.
6. Thoroughly check the cleaning accessories for any defects before cleaning the endoscope.
(III) Poor Water/Air Supply
1. Damaged O-ring in the water bottle connector → water flows into the air supply tube → poor water/air supply and water leakage from the water/air button.
2. Damaged/missing/deformed/improperly installed O-ring in the water bottle cap → gas leaks from the water bottle → inability to supply water/air.
3. Improper cleaning and maintenance causing internal pipe blockage or nozzle blockage → poor water/air supply.
4. Failure to immediately clean the endoscope after use → dirt solidifies in the water/air supply tube → poor water/air supply.
5. Using problematic cleaning accessories during cleaning and disinfection → dirt is flushed into the endoscope, clogging the water/air supply tube → poor water/air supply.
6. Failure to thoroughly clean the endoscope before disinfection → disinfectant solidifies proteins → blockage of the water/air supply tube and nozzle.
(IV) How to Avoid Problems with Poor Water/Air Supply
1. Handle the endoscope with care.
2. Clean the endoscope immediately after use.
3. Thoroughly clean the endoscope before disinfection.
4. Wipe the lens surface in the direction of the nozzle.
5. Thoroughly check the cleaning accessories for damage before cleaning the endoscope.
6. Carefully check the water bottle's seal before use.

III. Problems with Accessory Insertion
1. Too large bending angle of the endoscope → the flexibility of the treatment accessory is limited by its hard distal part → problems with accessory insertion.
2. The endoscope is bent → causing deformation of the forceps channel → problems with accessory insertion.
3. Incorrect cleaning and disinfection procedures → solidified dirt and crystals form in the channel → problems with accessory insertion.
4. Using damaged accessories → accessories knot in the channel → problems with accessory insertion.
IV. How to Avoid Problems with Accessory Insertion
1. Properly clean and disinfect the endoscope.
2. Carefully check accessories before use.
3. Carefully insert accessories.
4. Good operating habits.

V. Endoscope Water Leakage

(I) Leakage Location — Bending Rubber

1. No use of mouth pads during surgery → patient feels nervous, bites the insertion part → bending rubber ruptures → endoscope water leakage.

2. Poor maintenance → bending rubber aging → bending rubber easily ruptures → endoscope water leakage.
3. Endoscope cleaned together with sharp tools or sharp edges in the cleaning tray → bending rubber is scratched → endoscope water leakage.
4. Striking the tip → bending and rupturing the rubber → endoscope leaks water.
(II) Water leakage location—forceps channel
1. Old cleaning brush → channel is brushed through → endoscope leaks water
2. Using inappropriate treatment accessories → forceps channel rupture → endoscope leaks water
3. Incorrect use of treatment accessories → forceps channel is pierced → endoscope leaks water
4. When inserting, encountering resistance, forcefully pushing the treatment accessory → forceps channel is pierced → endoscope leaks water
(III) Water leakage location—other parts
1. The tip accidentally collides with a hard object → lens rupture → endoscope leaks water
2. The endoscope is accidentally pinched → endoscope damage → endoscope leaks water
(IV) How to avoid endoscope water leakage problems
1. Handle the endoscope with care.
2. The cleaning and disinfection procedures of the endoscope must be correct.
3. Promote high-quality maintenance.
4. Before cleaning the endoscope, it is necessary to check for water leakage.

VI. Endoscope and accessory damage
(I) Endoscope discoloration and deformation
1. The endoscope is not thoroughly cleaned before disinfection → disinfectant solidifies protein → endoscope discoloration and roughness
2. Using unverified cleaning and disinfection methods → adverse chemical reactions corrode the endoscope → endoscope discoloration and damage
(II) Accessory abnormalities and breakage
Accessories are not thoroughly cleaned before disinfection → disinfectant solidifies protein, causing the moving parts to get stuck → abnormal accessory operation and breakage
(III) Endoscope and accessory rust
Using acidified water and hydrochloric acid-based detergents for cleaning and disinfection → adverse chemical reactions corrode metal parts → endoscope and accessory rust
(IV) Endoscope damage
Using unverified automatic cleaning and disinfection machines → excessive water and air pressure → the structure of the endoscope is compressed

VII. Abnormalities of endoscopes and accessories
  Purchasing and repairing from non-designated agents → using old or unofficial parts or incorrect repair methods → abnormal use of endoscopes and accessories
(I) How to avoid abnormalities in endoscopes and accessories
1. Thoroughly clean the endoscope and accessories before disinfection.
2. Ultrasonic cleaning of accessories.
3. Avoid using non-designated cleaning and disinfection methods.
4. Avoid using non-designated automatic cleaning and disinfection machines.
5. Do not patronize non-designated agents for purchasing and repair.

VIII. Suction failure
     When brushing the pipe, the button mounting seat is worn → the suction button mounting seat is damaged → the mounting seat leaks, the button cannot be pulled out, and the suction is not strong enough
(I) How to avoid suction problems
1. When brushing, the cleaning brush should be kept straight to avoid friction with the button mounting seat.
2. Check the suction function before using the endoscope.
(II) Brightness adjustment failure
1. Inserting the wet light guide into the light source → rusting of electronic contact points → electronic signals cannot be transmitted, resulting in loss of dimming function
2. Improper use and operation lead to loosening of parts → poor contact of electronic contacts → electronic signals cannot be transmitted, resulting in loss of dimming function
3. The dimming cable is not properly connected → improper connection between the host and the light source → electronic signals cannot be transmitted, resulting in loss of dimming function
(III) How to avoid brightness adjustment problems
1. Before inserting the endoscope into the light source, it is necessary to Confirm that the top of the light guide is completely dry.
2. Keep the light source socket dry.
3. Avoid endoscope collisions.
4. Check whether the dimming function is normal before using the endoscope.

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