Post written by Mark A. Gromski, MD, from the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

The development of innovative duodenoscopes has recently been a dynamic area within interventional endoscopy. In this paper, we aimed to review the status of innovative duodenoscopes, first by putting into perspective the background of duodenoscope-related infections, then discussing the FDA-approved innovative duodenoscopes that are classified into 2 categories: reusable duodenoscopes with single-use end cap components and fully single-use duodenoscopes. The topic is a complex one with development occurring on multiple fronts. If one is not an expert in this area, it can be difficult to determine whether innovative scopes should be adopted, which types of innovative scopes to adopt, and for which patients. We discuss these points in the paper by detailing institutional considerations for the adoption of innovative duodenoscopes and by detailing an example of an innovative duodenoscope integration plan for a practice or an institution. There are many gaps in our current knowledge of innovative duodenoscopes that in the coming years will hopefully be filled.  

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