Disposable Endoscopes vs. Reusable: Pros, Cons, and Market Trends

Endoscopes have become such an integral part of the practices of the modern medical world that an operation or intervention cannot be performed without it. It provides an internal view of the human body without invading a body part surgically, to perform all kinds of possible interventions in most branches of medicine such as gastroenterology, pulmonology, orthopaedics, urology, etc. However, one of the most argued medical topics is whether disposable or reusable endoscopes really have a greater overall safety, efficiency, cost effectiveness and value compared to their respective counters.

Advancing technologies and progress in the field of endoscopic procedures have taken place. Disposable endoscopes, for instance, can be selective candidates for emerging supplements to the conventional reusable methods. However, is there more value for the patients and the healthcare providers involved with a disposable endoscope or a reusable endoscope? This article by Pristine Market Insights, provides both sides of the issue while incorporating the market trends concerning such a vital part of the medical technology.

What Are Endoscopes?

Firstly, it is essential to define an endoscope before any debate on that. An endoscope is a surgical instrument with a long, flexible tube, a light and camera at its distal end. The tube may be introduced into the body through a natural or surgically created opening so that the physician may visualize and sometimes treat conditions inside the body. Endoscopes have been now an essential instrument in modern diagnostics and therapeutic procedures like colonoscopy, gastroscopy, bronchoscopy, and laparoscopy. According to National Library of Medicine, approximately 18 million endoscopy procedures are performed each year in the USA and nearly 2 million in France. Rising number of endoscopic procedures is driving the market for endoscopes.

Disposable Endoscopes:

A disposable endoscope is made ready to use in surgeries and other medical procedures. Such an endoscope is discarded after the final procedure of endoscopy is completed. This makes its usage very easy because it neither needs cleaning nor disinfection or reprocessing. Disposable endoscope can minimize the risk of cross-contamination and infection.

Pros –

• This risk of cross-contamination is quite low due to the disposable endoscopes. These are single-use devices, and so there is absolutely no question of the pathogens being transferred from one patient to another even if improper cleaning protocols are followed.
• Disposable endoscopes are much easier to use for medical professionals because they do not need cleaning and sterilization like the traditional one does. So, this device is so ideal for use in any emergency. The pre-sterilized packaging also ensures that the device is ready for use right out of the box.
• Maintenance cost is eliminated because reusable endoscopes need repairs and sterilization equipment in order to be maintained. All such hidden costs are eliminated by disposable endoscopes and thus make them an attractive option in health care facilities with high budgets.
• Because of the disposable nature of endoscopes, their manufacturers hold responsibility over their proper sterilization and decontamination. The confidence to maintain healthcare regulations can then be established by the fact that each disposable device was appropriately sterilized according to set standards.

Cons –

• The greatest disadvantage of disposable endoscopes is their effect on the environment. Since they are single-use, it is contributing to the fast-growing problem of medical waste. This is a problem from the perspective of both the environment and the ever-rising cost of disposing of waste. Medical waste must be well managed and disposed properly.
• Even though disposable endoscopes might seem less expensive for short periods, their cost mounts in the long term. Especially for healthcare facilities which conduct massive volumes of procedures, their long-term cost may surge. Each time a new device must be bought for every patient that could easily double the running cost in the long term.
• Disposable endoscopes are less durable in comparison to reusable models. In general, they are expected to be used only for a single procedure, thus their life span is less and in high volume units, the investment in disposables can be very steep.
• Disposable endoscopes exist for standard use such as colonoscopy and gastroscopy use but are not so suitable for more complex diagnostic or therapeutic procedures that require a high level of performance and other sophisticated features. Reusable endoscopes, on the other hand, with a longer life and durability, are better suited to such procedures.

Reusable Endoscopes:

It is an endoscope that can be reused innumerable times. The same can be made several times heavier and sturdier than a disposable, but cleaning, disinfecting, and sterilizing every time after its use cannot be avoided. By maintaining proper care, repair, sterilizing and handling, the life cycle of an endoscope can be elongated.

Pros –

• The cost of maintenance is eliminated by the reusable endoscopes, which have requirements for repair and sterilization of equipment for maintenance. Such costs tend to be considerable over a long duration. All such costs are eliminated by disposable endoscopes and thus make them an attractive option in health care facilities with tight budgets.
• The reusable endoscopes avoid the cost of maintenance and will need repair and sterilization equipment for keeping their conditions rudimentary. These types of costs usually involve high amounts for a long time. Hidden costs are now eliminated by disposable endoscopes, making them very appealing to health facilities with tight borders.
• In contrast with disposable endoscopes, reusable devices have the least contribution to medical waste. Using reusable endoscopes has made hospitals and clinics reduce their environmental footprint as there is reduced single-use plastic and packaging waste. This is now when people and the law are getting more conscious of the environment.
• More innovative features such as higher resolution images, better manoeuvrability, and more precise diagnostic tools have been integrated into reusable endoscopes. Therefore, they are the preferred choice for more complex procedures that require higher performance standards.

Cons –

• Cleaning and sterilization processes are tedious and tend to take longer, since reusable endoscopes require a thorough procedure in post use sanitation for patient safety. Thus, all the processes are lengthy and exhausting, to be done carefully leaving little or no room for infection or contamination.
• Reusable ones may lose their functionalities over time by wear and tear; additional costs may be required in maintenance and repairs. Due to wear and tear of the optical parts of lenses or the fibre optics used in it, the quality of image and precision may suffer.
• Indeed, the high cost of reusable endoscopes at the beginning may be a significant deterrent, especially to smaller healthcare facilities. Compared to the single-use endoscopes, which are rather inexpensive and do not have to make an investment in them for an extended period, reusable endoscopes tend to cost much more when purchased outright. This may be very expensive for small hospitals, clinics, or outpatient centres with limited budgets.
• Infection risks are probably the most crucial concerns of using reusable endoscopes, although development in cleaning and sterilization techniques has improved significantly in terms of safety. The primary problem is that cleaning and sterilizing equipment for endoscopies require a level of complexity and rigour in their handling, which can lead to severe patient safety issues if not followed correctly.

Market Trends and Future Outlook:

The global endoscope market has been growing at an impressive rate. The increase in demand for procedures that are minimally invasive and due to the increased incidence of chronic diseases has definitely accelerated the use of procedures and equipment to include endoscopy. Disposable endoscopes are further evidence of this high rate of growth, offering advantages in many areas, including infection control and some other conveniences.

Advancement in technology, upsurge in demand for single-use devices, and patient safety will drive the disposable endoscope market to continue steady growth in the future, so it is expected to continue to grow in the coming decade. The companies involved in this industry focus on the improvement of disposable models in quality and performance to reach healthcare providers’ needs in the next decade.

More investment of the manufacturers into technologies enhancing usability and efficiency, especially improved image quality, increased flexibility, and wireless capabilities, has been stimulated due to the demand for disposable endoscopes. Other manufacturers are developing biodegradable materials to facilitate a less environmental impact during the disposal of the device.

The market for endoscopes can be categorized by application, type-disposable or reusable-end-users. Disposable endoscopes are particularly popular within outpatient clinics, diagnostic centres, and emergency departments with a high requirement for sterilization and significant volumes. In contrast, reusable endoscopes tend to be preferred among large hospitals and medical facilities which have the capability for handling cleaning and maintenance.

The choice between disposable and reusable endoscopes is a decision based upon several factors, including cost, volume of procedures conducted, infection control measures practiced, and environmental issues involved. Disposable endoscopes reduce cross-contamination among patients and are more convenient, but cost might be higher in the long-term and contribute to environmental waste problems. Reusable endoscopes may be less costly in the long term since they require continuous maintenance and sterility efforts to ensure patient safety, but are still less easy to use than their disposables counterparts. As the endoscope market evolves, both disposable and reusable innovations will likely counterbalance each of the above challenges.

The future for the disposable endoscope market, with an increased demand for minimal invasiveness and a high concern for patient safety, promises a bright horizon with further technological progress in disposable and reusable technology. In conclusion, the disposable or reusable endoscope should be chosen based on the specific needs and resources of the healthcare provider, taking into account factors such as safety, cost, and environmental impact. As the industry advances, both types of endoscopes would be in a significant proportion in the medical field because disposable endoscope’s benefits with regard to infection control, will see more robust growth.