Our Hybrid Strategy: Flexible Endoscopes Meet Medical and Sustainability Needs
Reusable flexible endoscopes have been part of our offerings since 1982, representing significant advancements in medical procedures and patient care. Meanwhile, we have also developed single-use flexible endoscopes to offer options to surgeons and bet cover different healthcare needs worldwide. Flexible endoscopes are highly versatile and can be used for a variety of diagnostic and therapeutic applications. But why is a hybrid portfolio so important to meet medical needs while protecting the environment?
Commitment to innovation
Our commitment to innovation evolved into our hybrid portfolio strategy, which ensures medical functionality and supports sustainable practices by offering healthcare partners a wide range of reusable and single-use flexible endoscopes to meet individual needs in improving patient outcomes around the globe.
The roots and wings of our hybrid strategy lie in combining the proven reliability of reusable endoscopes with the advantages of single-use devices. Reusable flexible endoscopes have long been, and will continue to be, a cornerstone of endoscopic procedures as they offer long-term functionality and cost-efficiency over time1 2. In contrast, single-use endoscopes offer significant advantages in reducing the risk of cross-contamination and eliminating the need for reprocessing procedures, which can be labor-intensive and costly 3. This balance ensures that we not only rely on traditional methods but are also ready to drive innovation and adapt to new technological developments.
Regardless of single-use or reusable, the high quality of our products is guaranteed, so our healthcare partners can be confident of performing to their best, whatever option is preferred.
For patients with a high risk of infection, disposable single-use endoscopes reduce the likelihood of cross-contamination. The reprocessing of reusable endoscopes is a complex and time-consuming process. Advanced sterilization procedures and strict reprocessing protocols ensure that these devices meet the highest safety standards. The combination of disposable and reusable options allows for the highest level of safety in various clinical scenarios.
The balance between medical efficacy and sustainability is at the center of our hybrid strategy. Although reusable endoscopes are initially more expensive, their longevity and reduced cost per use make them cost-effective over time when used frequently. The environmental footprint associated with their reprocessing, including the use of cleaning agents and energy, however, should not be neglected 4.
Single-use endoscopes, on the other hand, eliminate the need for reprocessing and therefore reduce the environmental impact of cleaning agents and energy for sterilization. However, they contribute to a high amount of waste and can be more expensive per procedure 5. Therefore, the balance lies in evaluating the volume of interventions and the specific context of use to take the most sustainable and functional choice.
Our strategy is to offer partners a choice. The choice between single-use and reusable endoscopes depends on several factors, including the type of procedure, the patient's condition and the hospital's infrastructure 6. For example, single-use endoscopes are highly advantageous in emergency situations, where immediate availability and sterility are critical 7.
In contrast, reusable endoscopes are favored in high-volume facilities, where their reusability leads to significant cost savings over time. Our technology that allows the integration of reusable and disposable endoscopes on the same imaging unit is the key to success. This gives our healthcare partners a modular application of the endoscopes with matching compatibility to the reproducing devices.
There is no universal answer to the question if single-use or reusable endoscopes should be preferred, and in many cases a combination of both products may even be the best choice. Regardless of our customers’ preference, they enjoy all the benefits of our hybrid strategy such as plug & play, versatile imaging chain, modularity and compatibility. Each healthcare facility must weigh the advantages of both options and decide based on its specific needs, risks, budget, condition of the patient, and local regulations.
1, 3, 4 Kevin Koo, Jared Winoker, Sunil Patel, Zhuo Su, Aaron Potretzke, Brian Matlaga; The Cost of Convenience: Estimating the Environmental Impact of Single-Use and Reusable Flexible Cystoscopes; The Journal of Urology; Supplement to Volume 206, No. 3S; September 12, 2021.
2, 5, 6, 7 Lyndon V. Hernandez, Santha K. Ravi, Nalini M. Guda, Ashley Gresenz, Jake Luo; Micro-Cost Estimates of Procedures in a Community-Based Ambulatory Endoscopy Center: When Do We Switch to Single-Use Endoscopes?; Gastrointestinal Endoscopy; Volume 95, No. 6S; 2022.