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Expanding innovation At the heart of the company’s strategy is a commitment to investment in innovation, and the portfolio has been rapidly expanding both through R&D and strategic partnerships. “One of the stars of our portfolio is the WD440


PT Pass Through endoscope washer-disinfector,” comments Rakesh. To ensure complete cleaning and disinfection


of endoscopes, the WD440 PT contains a unique basin and helical tube system. Fluid flow in the helical tube lifts the distal end from the wall, allowing fluid to contact it everywhere. Proven Wassenburg individual channel pump and connection technology is the core of the system. Each endoscope channel is reprocessed and controlled individually on connection, flow, pressure and blockage. Process Manager works seamlessly with the


WD440 PT to ensure compliance with regulations and provides valuable insights into day-to-day operations, helping to improve reliability and availability of the endoscopes. “This washer disinfector has proven so popular that some Trusts are now on their third generation of the machine. Not only are they confident in the machines, but they also trust Wassenburg to provide a high level of customer experience and after sales support,” Rakesh explains. “You have to understand an endoscope to fully understand how to decontaminate it. Ultimately, these are challenging instruments. We have developed our automated endoscope reprocessing machines from a position of having a detailed understanding of endoscopes – our close relationships with the world’s best known endoscope manufacturers means we are uniquely placed,” he continues. Wassenburg has a philosophy of ‘a single


chamber per scope’ – its dual chamber machines ensure efficiency but also prevent the risk of cross-contamination between scopes, by separating individual scopes. “Our mantra is ‘a safe endoscope for every patient’,” Rakesh explains. In 2021, Wassenburg acquired US


company, Custom Ultrasonics, which designs, manufactures and distributes automated systems to clean and high-level disinfect complex devices – including multi-channelled flexible endoscopes. Through this acquisition, Wassenburg has become even more of a global player in the endoscopy reprocessing market. A truly exciting development which helps us ensure even more safe endoscopes. Also now available through Wassenburg, is


the PENTAX Medical PlasmaTYPHOON+, PENTAX Medical AquaTYPHOON and PlasmaBAG ECO. Pre-cleaning of endoscope channels is an


essential part of the reprocessing process. However, manual cleaning is subject to human error, presents health and safety risks to decontamination staff, and requires larger volumes of water. AquaTYPHOON enables automated, brushless pre-cleaning of all endoscope channels in only 2 to 7 minutes and is fully compatible with endoscopes from all major manufacturers. The automated AquaTYPHOON solution


eliminates waste generation (associated with the use of brushes, syringes, detergent, etc), as well as reducing water consumption – resulting in significantly lower costs and increased sustainability, when compared to manual pre- cleaning. Thorough drying of the endoscope is also


crucial to avoid proliferation of microorganisms due to remaining humidity. In addition, appropriate endoscope storage is necessary to avoid re-contamination. PlasmaTYPHOON+ provides complete drying of the channels in only a few minutes and is combined with individual storage of the endoscope in the PlasmaBAG ECO. This maintains the disinfected state of the endoscope for up to 31 days. Wassenburg has also partnered with EMS Healthcare to provide mobile decontamination units to support hospitals across the UK to maintain their endoscope reprocessing throughput during refurbishments and equipment upgrades. In 2024, EMS Healthcare and Wassenburg Medical deployed a mobile decontamination unit to North Manchester General Hospital, helping to increase reprocessing capacity by up to 195 scopes per 12 hours each day. “Through these solutions, we are becoming a ‘one-stop-shop’ to meet hospital’s complete decontamination needs,” Rakesh explains.


The future of innovation The company’s R&D team are also continuously looking at ways to improve Wassenburg’s technologies. This means listening closely to the decontamination sector to ensure the best possible user experience – whether it is improving how users put the endoscope into the chamber, or how they interact with the software interface.


In addition, the R&D team constantly looks for ways to improve the materials of the machines. This has resulted in some of the most durable washer disinfectors in the healthcare sector – with some models still in use in hospitals after 18 years! The company continues to provide service support for hospitals with legacy machines. “Through our drive for continuous


advancement, our washer disinfectors are now achieving some of the fastest cycle times on the market, but we are also looking at what the next generation of washer disinfectors could look like,” says Rakesh. “AI will play an increasing role in the future


– we are investing in this field and have some exciting developments in the pipeline. Going forward there is increasing demand for technologies that are smarter and create efficiencies for healthcare providers. “When I started in this industry, 20 years ago,


it was all about compliance. Today, compliance is still important, but it is also about: ‘how can we make it better for the end user?’ and ‘how can we make it better for the patient?’ “Ultimately, having a great product is just


part of the story; how you support the end user is just as important. The combination of responsive after sales services, innovative finance solutions, interim facilities during installations, and the provision of education, training and development for end users, provides a complete solution.”


Specialists in Endoscope Reprocessing for more than 35 years


Wassenburg Medical is a world leader in delivering excellent endoscope reprocessing products and solutions.


Wassenburg solutions are designed to deliver a safe and controlled treatment of flexible endoscopes. Our end-to-end total solution includes pre-cleaning, washing and disinfection, drying and storage, transport and traceabilty.


Wassenburg Ltd Unit 4 Ignite Magna Way Rotherham S60 1FD


T: +44 (0)114 245 4282 F: +44 (0)114 232 8234


sales@wassenburgmedical.co.uk www.wassenburgmedical.co.uk


March 2025 I www.clinicalservicesjournal.com 7


For every patient a safe endoscope


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