Journal of Zhejiang University

Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B

Accepted manuscript available online (unedited version)

Unexpected endoscope surface phenomena in soaking mode of automated endoscope reprocessor: fluorescent tracer redeposition and persistent surface-tension bubbles

Author(s): Mei LI1, Chen-Ying ZHOU1, Ting TENG1, Qing GU2
Affiliation(s): 1Nursing Department, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310003, China; more
Corresponding email(s): 1191016@ zju.edu.cn
Key Words: Endoscope reprocessing, Automated endoscope reprocessor, Soaking mode, Sur

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Mei LI1, Chen-Ying ZHOU1, Ting TENG1, Qing GU2. Unexpected endoscope surface phenomena in soaking mode of automated endoscope reprocessor: fluorescent tracer redeposition and persistent surface-tension bubbles[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University Science B,in press.Frontiers of Information Technology & Electronic Engineering,in press.https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B2600423

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%J Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B
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Abstract
Chinese Summary
Academic Network
Reviewer Comment

Abstract: With the widespread use of endoscopy, there has been increasing concern about endoscope-associated pathogen transmission. In this context, the impact of different automated endoscope reprocessor (AER) operating modes on endoscope external surface cleaning remains underexplored. We compared three AER modes (soaking, jetting, and jetting-soaking) and observed two unexpected physical phenomena unique to the soaking mode. First, fluorescent tracer revealed thicker, linear deposition patterns on the external surface, whereas the jetting-containing modes produced a thinner and more even surface distribution. Second, the soaking mode generated numerous persistent surface-tension bubbles that remained attached to the external surface throughout the reprocessing cycle. Despite these differences, all three operating modes passed residual protein testing and yielded negative bacterial cultures, indicating that the soaking mode met current microbiological benchmarks under the tested conditions. To our knowledge, this study is the first to document such visible and reproducible physical phenomena during AER reprocessing. Although these findings do not indicate immediate reprocessing failure, they suggest that external surface fluid dynamics may be an underrecognized factor in AER mode optimization and warrant further investigation under more challenging real-world conditions.

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On-line Access: 2026-09-15

Received: 2026-06-15

Revision Accepted: 2026-08-04

Crosschecked: 0000-00-00

Cited: 0

Clicked: 48

Citations: Bibtex RefMan EndNote GB/T7714

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