——Precise Operation and Daily Maintenance Are Equally Important

In daily medical work, endoscopes are doctors' "eyes," and angle wires are the key to the flexible rotation of these "eyes." Once an angle wire breaks, it will not only cause the endoscope to lose its bending function, affecting examinations and treatments, but also result in high maintenance costs. Today, we will discuss in detail how to effectively prevent endoscope angle wire breakage.

To effectively prevent angle wire breakage, it is first necessary to understand the common causes of the fracture:  

• Improper operation is the primary cause. Excessive force or rapid movements when turning the angle knob can make the bending angle exceed the designed safety range, subjecting the wire to excessive stress. Additionally, forcing the passage of therapeutic accessories such as biopsy forceps or cytology brushes when the endoscope's distal end is already in a highly bent state can easily lead to wire breakage or damage.  

• Poor daily maintenance shortens the wire's service life. For example, if the bending radius is too small when coiling the endoscope after cleaning and disinfection (the recommended coiling diameter is no less than 20 cm), the internal wires will be in a state of excessive fatigue for a long time.  

• Natural aging and wear cannot be ignored. As high-frequency precision instruments, the internal angle wires of endoscopes will naturally stretch and age with increased usage. Failure to perform regular professional maintenance and adjustments makes aging wires more prone to breakage.  

Different breakage positions of the wire reflect different causes:  

• If the wire breaks at the bending part, it is usually due to aging from excessive use;  

• If it breaks at the operation part, it is mostly caused by delayed angle adjustment during operation;  

• If it breaks 20 cm to 25 cm from the operation part to the snake tube, it is often the result of forced operation during use.  

• Gentle operation is key: Always turn the angle knob slowly and smoothly, avoiding sudden, rough "angle adjustment" movements. Do not use brute force when feeling resistance—gentle operation not only protects the patient but also the angle wire.  

• Ensure unobstructed channels: Before passing any therapeutic accessories, adjust the endoscope's distal end to a relaxed, straight state. Keep accessories closed when inserting and removing them to reduce the risk of friction and jamming.  

• Use qualified accessories: Ensure biopsy forceps and other accessories are intact, with smooth surfaces and no burrs, to avoid scratching or jamming the instrument channel, which indirectly burdens the wire.  

• Strict leak testing: Perform leak tests before and after each use to promptly detect damage or water ingress. Water entering the endoscope causes rust on metal parts, significantly increasing the risk of wire breakage. For leak testing: connect a leak tester to the endoscope's leak port, inflate, fully submerge the endoscope in clean water, inject water into the suction and air/water channels to expel air, slowly adjust the angle, and flip the endoscope to check for continuous air bubbles.  

• Proper coiling and storage: After cleaning and disinfection, coil the endoscope with a diameter greater than 20 cm to avoid acute bends. Store the endoscope vertically in a dedicated storage cabinet to prevent long-term improper placement from exerting pressure on the body.  

• Gentle cleaning: Wipe the endoscope's outer sheath with water-soluble lubricant during cleaning to maintain flexibility and delay aging. Avoid using abrasive cleaning tools.  

Before the wire completely breaks, the endoscope often shows certain "abnormalities"—timely detection of these signals can prevent the failure from worsening:  

• Changed operation feel: Turning the angle knob feels heavier or stuck than before, or conversely, loose with insufficient feedback.  

• Insufficient bending angle: After prolonged use, the maximum bending angle of the endoscope may decrease. Even when the angle knob is turned to the maximum, the actual bending angle of the distal end is significantly smaller than normal.  

• Abnormal noises: A slight "click" or friction sound from inside during operation may indicate minor wire breakage or welding detachment.  

If any of the above conditions occur, stop using the endoscope immediately and send it for inspection and repair. Calibration of the maximum bending angle requires pulling and adjusting the angle wire in the endoscope's operation part. To avoid safety issues caused by aging angle wires, send the endoscope to the original manufacturer or a professional institution for adjustment.  

Preventing endoscope angle wire breakage lies in standardized operation, careful maintenance, and timely inspection. By developing gentle operating habits, adhering to detailed daily maintenance procedures, and establishing a sound equipment management system, this failure can be effectively avoided, ensuring the smooth progress of medical work and saving equipment maintenance costs.  

Have you ever experienced endoscope angle wire breakage? Welcome to share your handling methods and experiences in the comment section!