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The Art of Rigid Endoscope Repairs
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to ensure those vital surgical imaging tools are always in top-notch condition? At Surgical Holdings, we’ve been on a mission to perfect the art of rigid endoscope repairs, and it’s been an exciting journey! It’s no secret that surgeons need their tools to be reliable, precise, and, above all, safe. Anything less just won’t cut it. That’s why each repair we do is treated with the utmost care, bringing those instruments back to their original, pristine condition.
At Surgical Holdings, we were thrilled to launch our very own rigid endoscope repair service, proudly back in 2017. Since then, this aspect of our business has seen tremendous growth and development, in both the service we offer and the specialist repair team.
Repairing rigid endoscopes was a service we’ve been offering for several years, although through external vendors. However, our commitment to quality and customer satisfaction led us to take matters into our own hands. We wanted to ensure that every repair met our high standards, so we decided to bring the process in-house.
Quality is at the heart of everything we do. When you send us an instrument for repair, rest assured that we’ll treat it with the utmost care and attention. Our skilled technicians, who are instrument makers, work diligently to restore each item to its original, like-new condition. We’ve invested in cutting-edge technology for our workshop, allowing us to perform thorough testing and ensure that every repair meets our strict quality standards.
We take accountability seriously. That’s why we subject all our materials to third-party testing, ensuring that they meet international standards of excellence.
Our goal is simple: to provide healthcare professionals with top-notch instruments and services they can rely on, which make a real difference in improving patient health. Since launching our repair service, we’ve had the pleasure of serving customers from all around the globe, addressing both minor fixes and major repairs with expertise and care.
Why quality and reliability come first
Rigid endoscopes are indispensable tools in the medical field, allowing healthcare professionals to visualise and access internal organs and cavities with precision. When equipped with cameras and light sources, these instruments provide clear, accurate endoscopic images, facilitating both accurate diagnoses and treatments that are crucial for patient well-being.
However, their delicate nature often leaves them vulnerable to damage and wear, posing challenges for healthcare professionals tasked with their maintenance and upkeep.
Our quality repair process
At Surgical Holdings, we recognise the critical importance of maintaining these essential devices to the highest standards. Our aim is to produce something that is potentially saving someone’s life, so it is imperative that it is of high quality and that the surgeon knows it is going to be reliable and suitable for use during the relevant surgery.
Based in our workshop in Southend, we offer repair services for all major brands of rigid and semi-rigid endoscopes. Our technicians are equipped with the latest optical repair technologies, including laser welding and advanced soldering techniques, ensuring the highest quality of scope repair.
Our repairs aim to restore the equipment to the manufacturer’s specifications. We adhere to the manufacturer’s optical specifications whenever possible, ensuring the original quality of the scope is maintained by using high-quality compatible parts. Any manufacturer or CE marks are retained.
- We exclusively use European parts, guaranteeing the longevity and durability of your endoscope repair.
- Laser welding is employed for shafts and sealing wherever appropriate, ensuring the structural integrity of your endoscope.
- Innovative solutions are part of our approach. Through our engineering workshop, we employ reverse engineering techniques, enabling us to manufacture parts for the latest models of scopes when required.
- We stock parts for renowned manufacturers such as Storz, Wolf, Olympus, Aesculap, and all parts have full traceability through our ISO 13485 accredited quality system.
- Each repaired scope undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets our exacting standards. This ensures that the scope continues to meet the CE marking requirements post-repair.
- Our commitment to transparency extends to providing a full breakdown and summary report of the endoscope repair work carried out. You’ll have complete visibility into the repairs performed on your equipment.
Is your scope suitable for use?
One of the primary challenges faced by healthcare staff is often time and knowing what to look for when checking medical devices. Rigid endoscopes require specialised knowledge to operate effectively, and training helps healthcare professionals develop the skills and expertise needed to maximise the performance of these devices.
For our Rigid Endoscope Training, we have devised a clear step-by-step guide. This can easily fit into the quality control system of hospitals that follow ISO 13485 standards.
- Tip – Check the tip of the endoscope for sharpness and any type of damage to the tube such as dents and cracks.
- Windows – Make sure the windows at the tip and eyepiece are free from dirt and cracks.
- Illumination – Hold the scope lightpost to a light source to see if the output is bright and clear at the tip.
- Clarity – Look through the eyepiece, is the image clear and free from shadows, dots and lines.
- Environment – If you think twice and the endoscope isn’t suitable for use then think of the environment and repair instead of replace.
Exciting news! We are now an OEM
In 2025, we will take another significant step forward by launching our own manufactured endoscope range right here in the UK. This marks a new milestone in our commitment to delivering high-quality medical instruments that meet the evolving needs of healthcare providers.
It also represents the culmination of years of expertise, innovation and dedication to excellence. As we look forward to this exciting new chapter, we remain passionate about advancing healthcare through innovation and quality craftsmanship. We’re here to support you every step of the way!
Want to learn more?
We recently hosted our latest webinar, “Rigid Scopes – Education & Usage” – This seminar offers an introduction to Rigid Endoscopes, covering terminology, types, and essential maintenance considerations. Whether you’re seeking a refresher or new to the industry, you can watch the recording here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5zPhI6w1Vc
For more insights into our quality repair process, check out this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdDT6qEJZqE