Integrated Endoscopy to Debut Nuvis Single-Use Arthroscope at AAOS

Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.-based Integrated Edoscopy Inc. is debuting its Nuvis single-use arthroscope at the 2015 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting, March 25–27, in Las Vegas, Nev.

According to the company, the Nuvis launch comes at a time of heightened awareness about serious patient safety issues connected with endoscopic procedures, including a number of recent high-profile infection outbreaks caused by bacteria build up in difficult-to-clean endoscopes.

“We’re excited to introduce the Nuvis single-use arthroscope to orthopedic surgeons,” said George Wright, president and CEO of Integrated Endoscopy. “Our discussions with orthopedic surgeons across the country underscore the importance of exceptional optical quality in a disposable endoscope. The Nuvis arthroscope is the first single-use rigid endoscope based on 21st century optical technology. Its excellent optics and improved safety provide first-time quality for every procedure, benefiting surgeons and patients alike.”

Nuvis features 12 molded glass lenses compared with 32–56 expensive ground glass lenses typically used in reusable arthroscopes. These lenses are made with the same technology and low-temperature glass used to mass-produce high-definition, low-cost optics for smart phone cameras. The Nuvis arthroscope also features light-emitting diode technology that provides improved white light at what is reported to be significantly lower temperatures than the fiber optic illumination used in conventional endoscopes.

“Reusable arthroscopes get damaged and degraded in optical quality with use, handling, and reprocessing,” said Grady L. Jeter, M.D., founder of the Arthroscopy & Sports Medicine Clinic in San Jose, Calif. “In fact, surgeons rarely have the opportunity to use a brand new arthroscope. As a result, the availability of an affordable single-use arthroscope is a major advance both in terms of optical quality and patient safety. Surgeons now can have first-time optical quality for every arthroscopy procedure, surgical staff will no longer be burdened with reprocessing the scopes, and patients can be assured of a sterile scope free of the potential for infection transmission.”

The Nuvis single-use arthroscope received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July 2014. Integrated Endoscopy is currently gearing up production of the device, and it will be available nationwide during the third quarter of 2015, according to company officials.