Choosing Office Hysteroscopy Equipment: What to Buy and How to Compare

Hysteroscope, sheaths and working channel

The heart of the office hysteroscopy set is a small-diameter rigid telescope with an outer sheath. Office systems are built to keep the outer diameter low to reduce the need for cervical dilation. Sheaths may be diagnostic with only inflow and outflow, or operative with a working channel for 5 Fr (about 1.7 mm) instruments such as scissors, grasping forceps and biopsy forceps.

Compare the viewing angle, the outer diameter of the sheaths, the size of the working channel, the quality of the image and the ease of assembly. Also ask how many sheaths and which sizes come in the standard set, and whether the system is modular so you can add operative sheaths later. Our overview of hysteroscope types and sizes explains the options.

Think also about handling. A lighter telescope and a well-balanced camera head reduce hand fatigue over a list of several patients, and a clearly marked inflow and outflow connection prevents set-up errors.

Camera, light source and monitor

Image quality depends on the whole imaging chain. The Richard Wolf ENDOCAM Logic HD is a Full HD system that includes an LED light source, light cables, monitors and a choice of camera heads. Its dialog function allows the camera to control the light source automatically, and the system offers a large set of clinically tested application profiles plus user profiles, Full HD recording to USB and optional special imaging modes.

Ask about sterilisable or drape-protected camera heads, cable length and weight, since a heavy cable tires the operator. Choose a monitor large enough to be visible to the patient if you want to involve her during the examination.

Fluid pump and distension

Reliable distension is essential. The FLUID CONTROL 2225 is an irrigation and suction pump for gynecology, urology and general surgery. The surgeon selects the discipline before each procedure, the maximum irrigation flow is 1800 ml/min, the maximum suction flow is 2000 ml/min, and an optional balancing module with two weighing cells shows fluid deficit continuously.

A gravity bag or a pressure cuff can work for pure diagnostics but offers no deficit control, so many services move to a pump when they begin operative work. More detail is in our guide to hysteroscopy fluid management.

• Controlled flow and pressure
• Fluid deficit monitoring
• Compatible tubing sets and disposables
• Profiles for the hysteroscopes you actually use

Operative instruments and energy

For see-and-treat, the set needs mechanical or bipolar instruments that pass through the sheath. If resection is planned, a resectoscope is added. The Richard Wolf Princess is a slim 7 mm (21 Fr) continuous-irrigation resectoscope that can be used for monopolar and bipolar resection, with a rotating double sheath and a PANOVIEW telescope of 2.7 mm and 12 degrees direction of view. It can be expanded to 8 mm.

Check the compatibility of the resectoscope with your generator and electrodes. Our notes on operative hysteroscopy equipment cover the next level of the system.

Single-use items such as tubing sets, electrodes and some small instruments should be priced into the running cost; ask which consumables are proprietary and what the usual annual consumption is.

Comparing manufacturers and next steps

When you compare systems from different manufacturers, use the same questions: Which components are in the quoted set? What is the sheath range? Are all parts autoclavable or what reprocessing is needed? Is there local service and training? What is the warranty? Do not rely on reviews alone; ask for a hands-on demonstration at your facility.

For budgeting see our hysteroscope price guide. To request a configuration and quotation for your clinic, contact Beckfinity's specialists.