How To Determine Whether The Endoscope Camera Module Needs To Be Replaced?

The replacement judgment of the endoscope camera module requires a comprehensive assessment of multiple factors such as equipment performance, clinical needs, and safety regulations. As a core component of medical diagnosis, its condition directly affects the accuracy of examination results and patient safety. The following is the systematic basis for judgment:

From the perspective of image quality, when there is a significant drop in resolution, color distortion or persistent noise that cannot be improved through regular cleaning and maintenance, it often indicates that the sensor or optical components are aging. For instance, if a 1mm lesion that was originally clearly displayed becomes blurred or the mucosal vascular texture cannot be identified, it indicates that the performance of the module no longer meets the clinical requirements. It should be particularly noted that occasional single noise points in the image may be temporary interference, but repeated fixed-position noise points are more likely to result from hardware damage.

Physical damage is a more direct indicator of replacement. Scratches and cracks on the surface of the mirror body will directly affect the imaging optical path, especially within a 3-cm range at the working end, the risk of damage is the highest. The decline in sealing performance is manifested as leakage or atomization of the mirror body. In such cases, it not only affects imaging but also may lead to cross-infection. Steering failure caused by loose steel wires in the operation section will limit the inspection range. These are all clear signals that require immediate disuse.

From the perspective of maintaining data, the service life marked by the manufacturer (typically 500 to 1,000 sterilization cycles) is an important reference. Even if the appearance of a module that has exceeded its service life is intact, the aging degree of its internal components has exceeded the design redundancy. Maintenance records are also of reference value. If the same module experiences more than three similar failures within a year, it often indicates that it has entered the wear and tear period.

Technological iteration is also a consideration factor. When the new module can offer higher resolution, wider field of view or special imaging functions (such as NBI narrowband imaging), and the existing equipment cannot meet the new clinical needs through upgrading, it is necessary to update the equipment. Especially when research shows that the early detection rate of new technologies has significantly increased, the clinical value brought by the replacement may far exceed the cost of the equipment.

When making actual decisions, it is recommended to establish an assessment team consisting of engineers, endoscopists and infection control personnel, and use a quantitative scoring table to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of each indicator. At the same time, reasonable decisions should be made in light of the actual situation such as the frequency of equipment usage and the positioning of the institution's diagnosis and treatment, while ensuring medical quality. Regular preventive maintenance and performance testing can often detect potential problems in advance, avoiding forced replacement in emergency situations.