Insulation Integrity Testing

[Uprooted Scrub]

Good afternoon.

We are starting to integrity test our insulated laparoscopic instruments. We have some instruments that have reusable screw on tips. There are no identification markings on the tips, and the tips are really too small to have laser etched.

When I checked with our distributor, I was told that their other customers are only recording that they checked the insulation on the number of tips in a particular set and that they are not tracking the tips individually by any specific identification numbers.

Personally, I think that since the tips are in the endoscopist's field of vision at all times when in use checking the tips is really a mute point since an electrical arc from the insulated part of the tip would be immediately seen and hopefully corrected.

I was wondering what everyone else is doing...

Thanks.

Blaine

[doc7592]

How are you tracking this?

[Uprooted Scrub]

Hi Andre...

All of the endoscopic instruments we have are marked with a unique number - either by the manufacturer or a number we have laser etched onto the instrument. We have a log book that we log each instrument into by serial number when it is scanned. If you'd like, I'll be happy to e-mail you a page from the log book.

My question was specifically about reusable screw on tips for grasper handles. There isn't room enough on them even for a manufacturer's lot number. What's the best way to individually identify the tips...hummm...

Have a sunny Southeast Georgia day!!

Blaine