Reusable endoscope cleaning brushes - main types, structure, and purpose

An endoscope is an instrument that is inserted into the human body, which means it is constantly contaminated with biological substances. Without proper cleaning and disinfection, the use of such instruments is impossible, as it contributes to the infection of the next patient with viral and bacterial diseases.

Most endoscopes are flexible and have a complex structure, so they are easy to clean with special brushes:

• disposable
• reusable

Reusable scope cleaning brushes consist of a handle and a working part. They have special bristles that are resistant to external factors, as such instruments require regular disinfectant treatment and sterilization in an autoclave under high temperatures. The bristles can be one-sided or two-sided, the latter passing completely through the tool channel, eliminating contamination.

A reusable endoscope cleaning brush can have a ball at the end to remove biomaterial buildup and protect the walls from damage, or an end nap. This is useful when you need to process sensitive items. Brush bristles come in different lengths, depending on which parts of the tool you need to clean. Brushes also differ in handle length and flexibility.

Endoscope brush Alton Medical has the advantage of being able to be used for a long time without replacement and is compatible with most endoscopes. But it is important to take into account the diameter of the working part and other parameters to choose the optimal model.

Reusable channel cleaning brushes - how to use it?

Reusable endoscopy channel cleaning brushes should have a long and durable bristle, as the surface of this part is uneven, with depressions. And complete removal of organic residues is very important. The treatment is performed when the endoscope is in a disinfectant solution.

Continue cleaning until the reusable scope channel brush is clean and no traces of contamination are visible on its surface. After that, the endoscope port must be rinsed with detergent.

Reusable channel cleaning brushes for an endoscope have their own characteristics. This double-sided bristle brush allows you to quickly and efficiently clean all channels. It is also important that it matches the diameter of the endoscope. Insert the brush at a certain angle (90 or 45°) to avoid damaging the canal.

Sterilization of reusable endoscope cleaning brushes

After processing the instrument, the reusable endoscope cleaning brush must be sterilized in an autoclave. It's important to follow a specific disinfection time so that the brush is completely cleaned, but the handle and working part are not affected. Only then can it be used for a long time.

Also, when cleaning endoscopes, follow the recommendations specified in the operating instructions for a particular model. After all, if parts of the instrument are damaged, it will be much more expensive to repair them or replace them with new ones.