Sustainable endoscopy
The second option is to use reusable endoscopes, which require thorough cleaning after each procedure. It is crucial to understand that healthcare institutions often choose single-use endoscopes because achieving 100% cleanliness during manual cleaning is nearly impossible due to the complex structure of the device. Trained professionals strive to perform the task to the best of their ability; however, perfection can never be guaranteed. In many cases, professionals may not even be aware that the endoscopes have not been adequately cleaned, posing significant risks to patients.9
Developing a solution To help overcome these challenges, the Khamsin machine was developed as the world’s first automated endoscope cleaning system. Distributed by PFE Medical, the solution not only improves the cleaning process of flexible endoscopes but also significantly contributes to the establishment of more sustainable healthcare practices. Rob Hartley, the director of PFE Medical, explains: “About seven years ago, the Department of Business and Trade approached our company, inquiring whether there was a specific problem in our industry that needed to be solved. My immediate response was that there was a need to automate the cleaning of flexible endoscopes. “Although endoscopes have undergone significant advancements in the past 40 years, their cleaning – which is the most critical part of the disinfection process – has not actually changed since these devices were introduced. It is astonishing to think that such a sophisticated medical instrument is still cleaned by hand, standing at a sink, using brushes and sponges.” It was indeed necessary to advance the
technological field of disinfecting flexible endoscopes, primarily to protect the health of patients and cleaning staff, as well as to reduce the environmental impact caused by manual cleaning.
An innovative operating mechanism Rob Hartley also highlights the technical challenges of current cleaning procedures, detailing the difficulties encountered: “The complex housing for the air, water, and suction buttons, along with the 1.5-meter-long channel, poses a significant challenge for cleaning. Furthermore, there is no opportunity for visual inspection of cleanliness, which explains why numerous expert studies have shown that many endoscopes are not cleaned properly. Additionally, these studies
CSJ advert Apr
24p.indd 1 03/04/2024 11:43 February 2025 I
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com 49
demonstrate that if an endoscope is not thoroughly cleaned, the effectiveness of high- level disinfection is significantly reduced. “Our efforts to address the challenges
related to flexible endoscope processing have been supported by researchers from Aston University through a programme established in Birmingham.”
He explains that the Khamsin project was led
by Dr. Duong, a chemist, who collaborated with two professors: one specialising in microbiology and the other in chemistry. This research facilitated advancements in endoscope processing with the development of the Khamsin machine, which aims to improve the efficiency of cleaning procedures. Dr. Duong recognised that ultrasonics effectively cleans the exterior of the endoscope through the implosion of millions of bubbles,
generating significant cleaning power. His challenge was to replicate this cleaning for the interior of the endoscope, where ultrasonics alone proved ineffective. He achieved this by employing nanotechnology to disrupt the bond between hydrogen and oxygen in hydrogen peroxide. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide used is comparable to that of common household mouthwash. Notably, effective cleaning results were obtained with this diluted solution, with bubble generation through nanotechnology playing a critical role. Initially, the goal was to remove protein
residues from previous patients. However, as results emerged, it was observed that the process also effectively eliminated existing biofilms, an outcome that was not anticipated. The significant advancement of the Khamsin machine lies in its capability to remove biofilms,
t
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65
