Pentax EC-380LKp, Owner'S Manual, Page: 48 / 52

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** Avoid contact of any flexible portion of the endoscope with any sharp edge objects (bed frames, table top cor-
ners, sink drains, accessories hanging in storage cabinets, etc.) at any time during the handling, reprocessing
or storage of the endoscope.
** Avoid stretching of the bending section rubber sheath at the distal portion of the scope. During mechanical
cleaning with a dampened gauze, do not use excessive force. A gentle back and forth wiping motion should
be sufficient to remove gross debris. Subsequent soaking in an enzymatic detergent will clean the remainder
of debris.
** Disinfectants and sterilants are toxic substances by nature. All residual solution must be thoroughly rinsed
and dried prior to each patient use.
** The key to preventing clogged air water channels/nozzles is to immediately flush the channels with either air
pressure or fluid/detergent right after removal from the patient. This should be followed by brushing of each
accessible channel and then soaking with an enzymatic detergent.
** Avoid attempting to remove or unscrew scope components which should not be removed. Parts such as the
distal portion of the light guide plug, any inlet ports and any rubber strain reliefs on either the insertion tube
or umbilical cable are essential to the watertight integrity of the instrument. Removal or loosening of these
components and subsequent immersion could lead to fluid invasion into the endoscope and/or compromise
effective reprocessing.
** Check for any sharp edges on all surfaces of an automated cleaning/reprocessing unit which may come in con-
tact with an endoscope. Some units may have sharp edged wire mesh filters and baskets or inlet/outlet ports
which could damage your scope.
** Do NOT overtighten the cap to the water bottle assembly. The metal pipe at the top of the PENTAX water
bottle assembly functions as an inlet port for air from the light source. This inlet pipe should not be used as a
leverage tool to tighten the cap to the water container. Overtightening could cause the plastic cap to crack.
** Do NOT introduce air bubbles into the scope’s internal channels during flushing of cleaning and/or disinfect-
ing/sterilizing solutions as these bubbles could interfere in the effectiveness of the disinfection/sterilization
process.
** Do not store the endoscope, its components or accessories in the carrying case as this type of dark, humid and
unventilated environment is conducive to bacteria colonization which increases the risk of cross-contamina-
tion.
** Prior to each use, check the condition of all endoscope accessary instruments.
Do NOT use any accessories with kinked or bent flexible shafts.
Do NOT use forceps with misaligned cups and/or bent needles/spikes.
Do NOT use aspiration or injection needles which are not retractable or whose sharp tips can not be protected.
Do NOT use cleaning brushes without smooth or rounded distal tips.
Do NOT use instruments with exceptionally long rigid sections or whose outer diameter restricts pasage
through the instrument channel/channel inlet.
Use of any of the above accessories could result in channel damage and costly repairs.
** Verification of the effective level of glutaraldehyde (via test strips or similar methods) is recommended to en-
sure potency of glutaraldehyde to achieve high-level disinfection and/or sterilization.
WARNING:
Instrument repairs should only be performed by an authorized PENTAX service facility. PENTAX
assumes no liability for any patient/user injury, instrument damage or malfunctions, or
REPROCESS-
ING FAILURE due to repairs made by unauthorized personnel.
WARNING:
NEVER drop this equipment or subject it to severe impact as it could compromise the functionality and/
or safety of the unit. Should this equipment be mishandled or dropped, do not use it. Return it to an
authorized PENTAX service facility for inspenction or repair.