New innovation in single-use bronchoscopes brings added safety to patients and clinicians — and is extending the device’s reach into new areas.
Inspired by increasing awareness of reprocessing challenges and their role in infection control, new technology has advanced both the acceptance and reach of single-use devices.
In the case of the Ambu® aScope™ 5 Broncho HD, its breakthrough technology helped earn the device transitional pass-through (TPT) payment status, which helps facilitate Medicare beneficiary access to the scope, based on it being identified as a “substantial clinical improvement” over existing technologies.
The Ambu scope received TPT payment status due to its:
- High-definition (HD) chip on scope
- Compatibility with high-frequency tools (APC, cryo, ND:YAG Laser)
- Superior articulation with tool
The aScope™ 5 received the TPT payment category and a new HCPCS C code effective Jan. 1, 2024, for use in the hospital outpatient department, to remain in effect for 24 to 36 months.
Why Is The Reach of Single-Use Bronchoscopes Expanding?
There’s been “an exciting surge in research and innovation” in the field of single-use flexible bronchoscopes, researchers from Cleveland Clinic and Cork University Hospital in Cork, Ireland, concluded in a recent review.
They noted that growing awareness of challenges related to infection control and reprocessing, on top of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompted single-use bronchoscope technology to progress beyond the ICU setting and into the bronchoscopy suite.
“Not only does SUFB technology provide a portable and immediately accessible bronchoscope for procedures in the ICU and endoscopy suite, it also is a sterile option for standard bronchoscopy procedures,” researchers wrote.
Even before the global pandemic, there was mounting evidence of infection risk following bronchoscopy procedures, with the leading causes being scope damage and inadequate cleaning, the researchers wrote.
The arrival of the pandemic put the value of single-use bronchoscopes on full display, underscoring their portability, accessibility, sterility and the fact that staff does not need to prepare or clean the scopes.
Ambu developed the first single-use bronchoscope in 2009, and the latest bronchoscopy portfolio addition is the Ambu aScope 5 Broncho HD, designed to handle advanced procedures in the bronchoscopy suite. It is compatible with both the full-HD Ambu® aBox™ 2 display designed for OR integration, and the full-HD aView 2 Advance 2nd Generation portable display.
Ambu also was first to market an Ultrathin bronchoscope equipped with a working channel. In addition, Ambu’s thin bronchoscope features a regular-sized working channel.
