What Is Cystoscope Equipment? Parts, Sizes and Types for Clinic Staff

What is a cystoscope used for?

The cystoscope allows the urologist or gynaecologist to examine the urethra, bladder neck and bladder wall. Typical uses are investigating blood in the urine, recurrent infections or symptoms, taking biopsies, removing small stones or foreign bodies, placing or removing ureteric stents and supporting catheter or injection procedures.

Cystoscopy is performed in an outpatient room with a flexible instrument or in an operating theatre with a rigid one. The two types are compared in more depth in flexible cystoscope guide.

Cystoscope parts: sheath, obturator, bridge and telescope

A rigid cystoscope set is modular. The sheath is the outer tube that goes into the urethra and carries irrigation fluid; it has an inflow tap and sometimes an outflow tap. The obturator fits inside the sheath, with a blunt tip, so the sheath can be introduced without damaging the urethra; it is removed before the telescope goes in. The telescope carries the light and optical image, and the bridge connects the telescope to the sheath and creates a working channel for instruments such as biopsy forceps.

Other components include a light cable, a camera head and monitor, irrigation tubing and instruments for biopsies or foreign bodies. Telescopes are made with different viewing angles, so a set often includes more than one telescope to inspect the whole bladder. Understanding the cystoscope sheath, bridge and obturator makes assembly and reprocessing more reliable.

• Sheath with irrigation taps
• Obturator for safe introduction
• Bridge with instrument channel
• Telescope with a defined viewing angle
• Light cable, camera head and monitor

Size of a cystoscope in French

The outer diameter is measured in French (Fr), with 3 Fr equal to 1 mm. Adult diagnostic rigid sheaths are usually larger than paediatric sheaths, and operative sheaths are larger again because they accommodate bigger channels. Flexible cystoscopes are slimmer and their size varies by model, so always check the datasheet.

As an example of published data, the Richard Wolf MAMBA flexible cystoscope has a 7.5 Fr working and irrigation channel and 210° deflection with two distal LEDs. The channel size determines which accessories can pass, and the outer size influences patient comfort.

Cystoscope types: rigid, flexible and digital

Rigid cystoscopes give a bright image through rod-lens optics and handle larger instruments and higher irrigation flow, so they are used for operative work. Flexible cystoscopes bend with the urethra and suit outpatient examinations. Within the flexible group, fibreoptic models carry the image through glass fibres, while digital models have a camera sensor at the tip.

The camera platform for either type is a part of the system. Richard Wolf's ENDOCAM Logic 4K offers native 4K output, Special Imaging Modes with six SIM algorithms and an autoclavable camera head. Browse the wider Richard Wolf range for rigid and flexible endoscopes.

Common assembly and handling errors

Frequent problems are forcing the obturator, assembling a sheath with a damaged seal so that fluid leaks, and locking the bridge before the telescope is fully seated. Another is using the wrong telescope angle for the area under inspection, which makes the examination seem poor even when the scope is fine.

Train staff to inspect the lens for scratches and the sheath tip for burrs before each case, to flush channels immediately after use so that debris does not dry, and to store telescopes in protective trays rather than loose in drawers. These habits extend the life of a set significantly.

Care, reprocessing and purchasing

Rigid cystoscope parts are usually reprocessed with sterilisation or high-level disinfection following the manufacturer's instructions, while flexible instruments need careful manual cleaning and leak testing. Keep a checklist for assembly and a log of each set, since missing seals or parts delay cases.

When you plan a purchase, read cystoscope price factors and the comparison ureteroscope vs cystoscope. Beckfinity's specialists can help specify a cystoscopy set; request a quote or consultation.