Impact of different pressures on the drying time of flexible endoscopes

Background

The complex structure of endoscopes causes non-uniform drying conditions. However, current clinical drying practices lack precise guidance, leading to the insufficient drying of some endoscopes, which increases the risk of infection. The pressure of compressed air has been shown to influence the effectiveness of endoscope drying; however, specific requirements are absent.

Aim

To determine the time required for the sufficient drying of different endoscopes under various pressure conditions.

Methods

Six different types of commonly used Olympus flexible endoscopes were selected, and for each type, multiple drying time groups were set under pressures of 0.102 and 0.204 MPa, with 10 endoscopes observed in each group.

Findings

Drying times varied according to the type and pressure. At 0.102 MPa, the instrument channel drying ranged from 80 s to 160 s (average: 123 s), while suction channel ranged from 260 s to 540 s (average: 428 s). At 0.204 MPa, the instrument channel dried in 50 s–90 s (average: 72 s), and suction channel in 130 s–230 s (average: 186 s).

Conclusion

Optimal drying times for endoscopes differ according to the type and pressure. A higher pressure (0.204 MPa) efficiently removes moisture and speeds up drying. Longer endoscopes with the same biopsy channel diameter require longer drying time. In addition, the instrument channel dries faster than the suction channel.