Endoscope Classification

From an application perspective, endoscopes can be broadly classified into two categories: industrial endoscopes and medical endoscopes.

 

Regarding the types of industrial endoscopes, based on imaging methods, they are classified as: optical endoscopes, fiber optic endoscopes, electronic endoscopes, CCD video endoscopes, CMOS video endoscopes, and motorized 360° endoscopes. Based on the type of light source, they are classified as high-frequency fluorescent lamp endoscopes, fiber optic halogen lamp endoscopes, and LED endoscopes.

Regarding the classification of medical endoscopes, based on their development and imaging structure, they can be broadly divided into three categories: rigid endoscopes, optical fiber (flexible) endoscopes, and electronic endoscopes.

 

Medical examination endoscopes come in many different types, and their classification methods vary. Generally speaking, the following three classification methods are commonly used. In terms of market sales, the most commonly used categories are rigid endoscopes and flexible endoscopes, based on whether they can be changed direction clinically.

 

Based on the function of the endoscope, they are divided into single-function endoscopes and multi-function endoscopes. A single-function endoscope refers to an observation endoscope with only an optical system and no working channel. A multi-function endoscope, in addition to its observation function, has at least one or more working channels within the same endoscope body, providing multiple functions such as illumination, surgery, irrigation, and suction.

 

According to the location reached by the endoscope: Endoscopes are classified according to the different locations they reach, including otolaryngological endoscopes, oral endoscopes, dental endoscopes, neuroscopes, urethroscopy/cystoscopy, electrocautery endoscopes, laparoscopes, arthroscopes, sinus endoscopes, and laryngoscopes.

According to whether the endoscope can change direction: Clinically, endoscopes are classified according to whether the endoscope can change direction, into rigid endoscopes and flexible endoscopes. Rigid endoscopes use a prism optical system, with the biggest advantage being clear imaging and the ability to be equipped with multiple working channels, allowing for multiple viewing angles. Flexible endoscopes use a fiber optic optical system. The biggest feature of this fiber optic endoscope is that the lens can be manipulated by the surgeon to change its direction, expanding its application range, but the imaging effect is not as good as that of rigid endoscopes.