• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Medical Tubing and Extrusion

Medical tubing and extrusion technologies

  • Technologies
    • Balloons
    • Brain-computer interfaces
    • Cardiac Implants
    • Catheters
    • Endoscopes
    • Heart valves
    • Pulsed Field Ablation
  • Components
    • Connectors
    • Needles and Injections
    • Seals
    • Tubing Components
  • Manufacturing
    • Coatings
    • Extrusions
    • Machining
    • Molding
      • Injection Molding
      • Insert molding
      • Mold Components
    • Tools
  • Materials
    • Advanced Materials
    • Metals
    • Nitinol
    • Plastics
    • Silicone
  • Business
    • Distribution Agreements
    • Legal News
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • Partnerships
    • Personnel Moves
  • Regulatory
    • 510(k)
    • CE Mark
    • FDA Breakthrough Designation
    • ISO Certification
    • Pre-Market Approval (PMA)
    • Recalls
  • Suppliers
  • About Us

Olympus has more warnings over bronchoscopes

November 13, 2023 By Chris Newmarker

This images shows the Olympus logo.Olympus has initiated a voluntary field corrective action following reports of endobronchial combustion incidents involving bronchoscopes.

The field corrective action — announced Nov. 9 — is taking place after incidents occurred during medical procedures utilizing high-frequency therapy equipment in environments rich in oxygen, according to the company.

The warnings are separate from Olympus’ July field corrective action involving laser-compatible bronchoscopes tied to reports of endobronchial combustion, serious patient injury, and one death.

The new round of bronchoscope warnings came after Olympus received complaints about adverse events, some resulting in serious patient injuries. Endobronchial combustion could result in burns to the airway or lungs, necessitating additional medical intervention, prolonged procedures, extended hospital stays, intensive care, and in some cases, fatalities.

Health providers use the bronchoscope in endoscopic diagnosis and treatment within the airways and the tracheobronchial tree. According to Olympus, it’s still possible to use the devices when following the instructions and warnings outlined in the Olympus Operation Manual.

The company has included 28 models of its BF series endoscopes in this action globally, with 15 models distributed in the U.S.

Olympus said it notified U.S. customers via letter on Oct. 12 about the field corrective action. The company urged healthcare professionals who use its bronchofiberscopes or bronchovideoscopes to familiarize themselves with the full Medical Device Corrective Action. The company stresses the importance of thoroughly knowing the warnings about using compatible high-frequency therapy equipment, such as electrosurgical generators.

The Operation Manuals for Olympus bronchoscopes caution against performing high-frequency cauterization while supplying oxygen, which could lead to combustion. To prevent patient injuries like burns, bleeding, or perforation, and to avoid damaging the device, Olympus advises ensuring that the electrode section of the electrosurgical accessory is kept at a safe distance from the endoscope’s distal end.

Filed Under: Endoscopes, Regulatory Tagged With: Olympus America

About Chris Newmarker

Chris Newmarker is the executive editor of WTWH Media life science's news websites and publications including MassDevice, Medical Design & Outsourcing and more. A professional journalist of 18 years, he is a veteran of UBM (now Informa) and The Associated Press whose career has taken him from Ohio to Virginia, New Jersey and, most recently, Minnesota. He’s covered a wide variety of subjects, but his focus over the past decade has been business and technology. He holds bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science from Ohio State University. Connect with him on LinkedIn or email at cnewmarker@wtwhmedia.com.

Primary Sidebar

“mte
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest trends and developments in medical tubing and extrusion.
MDO ad

Sponsored Content

A new way to access scientific papers?

Mass Device

The Medical Device Business Journal. MassDevice is the leading medical device news business journal telling the stories of the devices that save lives.

Visit Website

MEDTECH 100 INDEX

Medtech 100 logo
Market Summary > Current Price
The MedTech 100 is a financial index calculated using the BIG100 companies covered in Medical Design and Outsourcing.

Footer

Inv Logo

MASSDEVICE MEDICAL NETWORK

MassDevice
DeviceTalks
Medical Design & Outsourcing
MedTech 100 Index
Drug Discovery & Development
Pharmaceutical Processing World
Medical Design Sourcing
R&D World
Drug Delivery Business News

Medical Tubing + Extrusion

Subscribe to our E-Newsletter
Advertise with us
About
Attend our Monthly Webinars
Listen to our Weekly Podcasts
Join our DeviceTalks Tuesdays Discussion

Copyright © 2025 · WTWH Media LLC and its licensors. All rights reserved.
The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media.

Privacy Policy | RSS