01. How can I keep my endoscopy repair costs down?
02. How often should I leak test my scope?
03. What are some symptoms of fluid invasion?
04. How often should my scopes receive an overall maintenance inspection?
05. What is the life expectancy of a scope?
06. Who does the repairs?
07. Is your company able to repair the CCD chip?
08. Do you have loaners?
09. What is your turnaround time?
10. What kind of warranty do you offer on repairs and sales?
Q: How can I keep my endoscopy repair costs down?
A: Preventative Maintenance. There are three main aspects to preventative maintenance and reduced repair costs:
• Staff Education: A staff that is familiar with their equipment and quick to catch minor problems - such as leaks in the bending rubber, buckles in the tubes, play in the angulation knobs, and kinks in the channels - will definitely have a positive effect on your annual repair expenses.
• Proper care, cleaning, and sterilization according to OEM standards and guidelines.
• Leak test. Leak test. Leak test.
Q: How often should I leak test my scope?
A: Your scope should be leak tested after every procedure so that you can catch any leaks before the scope goes through the sterilization process.
For a more detailed explanation about the leak testing process, click here to view the Endoscope Cleaning and Sterilization Guide.
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Q: What are some symptoms of fluid invasion?
A: Some of the more common symptoms are:
• Image - discoloration, shorting out, staining, fogging, or blank screen
• Video Head Buttons - constant beeping, taking pictures, or unresponsive
• Lights are dim due to broken fibers in Light Guide Bundle
• Angulation knobs are stiff or resistant
Q: How often should my scopes receive an overall maintenance inspection?
A: It depends on the number of procedures performed each month, along with the number of scopes that you have on site. But generally, an overall maintenance inspection on all of your scopes should be done at least every six months.
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Q: What is the life expectancy of a scope?
A: Scopes can last for years with proper maintenance and care, but again, it depends on the number of procedures performed, along with the number of scopes that you have on site. OEM replacement parts or manufacturer-quality replacement parts can also have a bearing on the lifespan of your scope. And don't forget about the technicians that repair your scope. The technician's quality workmanship, or lack thereof, can also make a huge difference in the lifespan of your scope.
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Q: Who does the repairs?
A: Associated Endoscopy, Inc does any and all repairs ‘in-house'. Our lab technicians are manufacturer-trained, specializing in Olympus and Pentax flexible videoscopes, fiberscopes, flexible small diameter, and any support equipment. Collectively, our technicians have over 30 years of experience in repairing and refurbishing endoscopy equipment.
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Q: Is your company able to repair the CCD chip?
A: Our technicians can repair or rewire the CCD chip, depending on the extent of the damage. If the image cannot be restored due to extensive damage, such as major fluid invasion, we can replace the CCD chip at your request.
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Q: Do you have loaners?
A: Yes, we do have loaners. We have a wide variety of current models available, and the Loaner is free for the first five business days prior to repair consent from the customer. After repair consent is given, the customer may have unlimited use of our Loaner until their own equipment has been repaired and returned. Our Loaner Program is limited to customers within the continental United States of America.
Click here for more details on the Loaner Program.
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Q: What is your turnaround time?
A: Once we receive your repair, we send out the estimate within 24 hours. Once the customer has reviewed the estimate, we generally can complete the repair two to three days after repair consent has been given. Fluid invasion will prolong the repair process because the scope will need to be dried out first.
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Q: What kind of warranty do you offer on repairs and sales?
A: Associated Endoscopy, Inc will generally include a one year warranty with the purchase of our demo or refurbished endoscopy equipment. All repairs done by AEI include a 120 day warranty. Any warranty offered by AEI will become void if fluid invasion is present, user damage is detected, or if the scope is repaired by a different repair company during the warranty period.
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