High-definition endoscopy developer, Invendo Medical is developing the world’s first sterile, single-use colonoscope to help improve hygiene during colonoscopies.
Colonoscopes are vital medical instruments needed to detect and remove polyps during cases of colon cancer; one of the most common and deadly forms of the disease. In the vast majority of cases, colon cancer develops from what start out as benign growths, or polyps, on the intestinal mucosa.
When Invendo Medical set about developing the invendoscope SC200, the company turned to Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group (WMFTG) to use its OEM peristaltic pumps. Using WMFTG’s pumps allowed Invendo Medical to continually rinse the integral camera lens during examinations.
When performing examinations, regular rinsing of the lens is important to ensure that doctor or surgeon has good visibility throughout the procedure. During a colonoscopy, the lens must be rinsed at least once per minute,” explains Managing Director Timo Hercegfi. "When choosing the optimum pump, as well as achieving sufficient pressure, our main concern was ensuring easy, faultless operation and reliability. And though the colonoscope is only used once, our proprietary SPU control unit, which works alongside the invendoscope SC200, remains in operation for years, taking part in approximately 1,500 examinations annually."
WMFTG’s pumps are designed for continuous operations; one key reason for this being the optimum interaction between the pump and the tube. The Pumpsil tubing used at Invendo Medical is USP Class VI platinum-cured silicone produced using the latest extrusion systems in Class 7 cleanrooms, in accordance with ISO 14644-1 standards.
For Invendo Medical, an important criterion for selecting a pump was ease of use. For example, when in operation, healthcare professionals must be able to change the pump tube quickly, allowing them to focus on the patient and the procedure.
In order to improve hygiene during colonoscopies, Invendo Medical set about developing the world's first sterile, single-use colonoscope, the invendoscope SC200. The device is supplied ready to use and sterilised with ethylene oxide.
"We have been using the Watson-Marlow 313D pumphead for 18 months now, and it has proven to be a reliable, and well-made product,” states Radovan Susec, head of Procurement at Invendo Medical.