Single-Use, High Def, Battery Operated Arthroscope Launched

A remarkable new technology—a single use, high definition, battery operated arthroscope—is now in pilot launch in the United States.

The manufacturer, Irvine, California-based Integrated Endoscopy, has brand named this new scope NUVIS Single-Use Arthroscope and is making it available to centers of medical excellence around the world. NUVIS was recently cleared for commercial sale in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Integrated Endoscopy elaborated on this interesting new technology saying, “NUVIS is a unique battery-operated arthroscope that is designed to provide high definition visualization via a proprietary optical design, while directly addressing key safety and sterility issues associated with traditional, reusable arthroscopes.”

“The single-use nature of the technology provides surgeons with an affordable way to eliminate bio-burden and risk of infection and disease transfer due to lapses in instrument reprocessing; eliminates the need for the traditional light source and the associated heat; and can be used on existing video systems in the marketplace.”

“The NUVIS scope is an innovative and disruptive concept that enhances the surgeon’s experience by eliminating the light cord, which contributes to the clutter on the field and is a source of contamination and heat,” said David S. Bailie, M.D., President of the Arizona Institute for Sports Knees and Shoulders, LLC.

“The scope helps to improve efficiency in the OR by eliminating waiting or downtime associated with current reusable scopes when defective, damaged or scratched. The image quality is on par with any conventional scope I have used, and the single use packaging ensures a sterile product on every case. This product enhances our existing equipment and adds value to the everyday processes in the surgery center.”

Integrated Endoscopy CEO Brad Sharp told OTW, “There have been several key milestones during the development of NUVIS. Manufacturing, supply chain and market acceptance are some of the most significant. In the early days, the company had developed its own internal processes for manufacturing the product, however, in order to be able to meet the cost targets, projected volumes and quality standards for this kind of technology, a change was required. This involved shutting down the existing operation and the identification of a new manufacturing partner and method.”

“During this time, various elements of the optical train required design changes and supply chain modifications. Once these changes were completed, the company was able to re-engage market acceptance testing with customers and surgeons, which began mid-2019 in approximately 10 countries around the world.”

“Currently, the demand for this new technology continues to outpace existing manufacturing capabilities, requiring the company to bring a second manufacturing partner online over the coming months. Market acceptance has been strong and the conversion from reusable to single use arthroscopes in rigid endoscopy is now underway. We expect to see significant conversion of the worldwide opportunity over the coming months in excess of 17 million procedures in 2020.”