Arthroscopy Equipment: What an Orthopaedic OR Needs

The core imaging chain

The arthroscope is a rigid telescope, usually 4 mm in diameter for the knee and shoulder, with a 30 degree viewing angle and smaller sizes for small joints such as the ankle or wrist. Light travels through a fibre cable from the light source to the scope, and the image returns to the camera head attached to the eyepiece or integrated in the scope.

The camera controller processes the image and drives the monitor. A 4K platform such as the ENDOCAM Logic 4K provides native 4K output, three 1/3-inch CMOS sensors in the camera head, saveable user settings and storage of images and video to USB. Always confirm that the telescope, camera head and light cable you plan to use are supported by the same manufacturer's system, or tested together.

• Arthroscope and light cable
• Camera head and camera controller
• Light source (LED or xenon)
• Medical-grade monitor and recorder

Fluid management

Joint distension and clear vision rely on a controlled irrigation flow. Arthroscopic pumps regulate pressure and flow and are usually combined with suction. Richard Wolf's FLUID CONTROL 2225 is documented for gynecology, urology and general surgery; if you need a pump for orthopaedic work, ask the supplier which pump and profile is intended for arthroscopy and read our arthroscopy pump guide.

Plan the tubing sets and bags. These are consumables that influence running costs, and an unavailable tubing set can stop a list. Define who stocks them and how many a week the department expects to use.

Powered instruments and radiofrequency

A shaver system consists of a motor control unit, a handpiece and disposable or reusable blades and burs, and removes soft tissue and bone with suction through the cutting tip. Radiofrequency ablation and coagulation devices control bleeding and shape tissue. Many towers combine shaver and RF in one console, while others add a separate generator.

Check footswitch layout, blade availability and compatibility between handpiece and blades, as well as power requirements and cabling. These items are usually specific to a brand and must be priced as a complete package.

Hand instruments and sets

Basic arthroscopic hand instruments include probes, punches, graspers, scissors, cannulas, trocars and obturators. Reusable sets are supplied in trays and need reprocessing, whereas some items are single-use. For the knee, see our knee arthroscopy instruments guide, and for other joints read the shoulder and ankle arthroscopy equipment article.

Establish the surgeon's preferred instruments before fixing the quotation, and make sure that sterilisation capacity and tray design suit your volume. Adding backup scopes and cameras reduces the risk of cancelled lists.

Room, tower and procurement checklist

Space and logistics matter. The tower sits at the foot or side of the operating table, usually opposite the surgeon, with ceiling or cart-mounted monitors. Check electrical outlets, gas or vacuum lines, video routing to a recording system and whether the OR has an integration system.

Use this short checklist when asking for quotations: scope sizes and angles, camera resolution and compatibility, light source type, pump type, shaver and RF options, instruments, consumables, training and service. See how an arthroscopy tower is priced and the Richard Wolf brand page. Beckfinity specialists can prepare a quotation; contact us via the contact page.