Single Use or Disposable Flexible Bronchoscopes: Bench Top and Pre-clinical Comparison of Currently Available Devices
K. Deasya (Dr), AM. Sweeneya (Dr), H. Danisha (Dr), E. O'Reillya (Dr), M. Kennedy*a (Dr)
a Cork University Hospital, Cork, IRELAND
* kenne036@gmail.com
Background:
Gathering data regarding the risk of infection related to reusable bronchoscopes, the global drive towards disposable medical technology and the COVID-19 pandemic have lead to an increase in the use and production of single use or disposable bronchoscopes. A comparison of devices has not been published.
Methods:
A bench-top comparison of the Ambu®aScopeTM (AM-S) Boston Scientific® EXALTTM Model B (BS-S), The Surgical Company (TSC) Broncoflex© Vortex (TSB-S), Pentax® Medical ONE Pulmo™ (PE-S), and Vathin® H-SteriscopeTM (VA-S)( all 2.8 mm inner dimension) was undertaken including measurement of maximal flexion and extension angles, thumb force required and suction (using saline and “pseudo-mucus” using a 1% guar gum solution including a standard Pentax 3.2 mm channel scope) with and without biopsy forceps. There-after pre-clinical assessment was performed with data collected including experience, gender, hand size and scope preference.
Results:
The VA-S had the biggest range of tip movement from flexion to extension with and without forceps. The BS-S required the maximal thumb force but had the least reduction of tip movement with forceps. The BS-C significantly outperformed all other scopes including the standard Pentax scope and was the only scope capable of suctioning pseudo-mucus around the forceps. Although there was no significant difference in preference in the overall group, females and those with smaller hand size preferred the PE-S scope and males the TSB-S scope
Conclusions:
Currently available SUFBs differ in a number of factors with the BS-C scope significantly outperforming all other scopes in suction capabilities.
Disclosure of funding source(s):
Dr Kennedy has received speaker fees from Boston Scientific, The Surgical Company and Pentax.