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Troubleshooting
American
Endoscopy Services (AES) is a company contracted out
by the University of Virginia to maintain and assist
the surgical team on the endoscopic video system.
The
AES staff is present during all endoscopic surgeries
and are the ultimate troubleshooting resource.
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out of Focus
First,
adjust the camera's gray focus
ring on the adapter.
It
is best to focus the camera when it is closest to the
operative site. This ensures that when it is moved back
to obtain a wide picture, it will remain in focus.
If
the focus dial does not
work, it may be because the coupling of the scope and
the adapter is not tight.
Use
the rabbit ears to detach the camera from the adapter
and aim the camera at a wall. Use the focus
dial. If there is still not a clear picture,
it may be the scope or light cord.
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Image
Too Dark
·
Turn up the intensity of the light source
· Confirm light source connections
· Check lamp and bulb. May be very hot.
· Adjust contrast/brightness on the monitor
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Spots
on the Monitor
If
dust particles appear on the monitor image, rotate the
scope. If the dust particles rotate with the image,
the duct is in the scope. Clean the scope.
If
the dust particles do not rotate, the dust is behind
the scope. Clean the optical surfaces of the camera
head and adaptor with alcohol-dipped cotton swab
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Poor
Color Reproduction
The
most common cause of color distortion is failure to
correctly white balance the video system. Repeat the
white balance procedure with correct ambient illumination,
and pointing the camera at a pure white, not off -white,
object
Ask
AES to readjust the monitor with reference to the color
bar pattern.
Occasionally,
blood from the operative site will dry in the distal
tip of the scope giving the entire image a pinkish hue.
Use a wet 4x4 or sponge to wipe the dried blood off
the tip of the scope.
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Fogging
Fogging
is a slow loss of definition and clarity in the monitor
image.
It
is also seen as a buildup of a hazy white halo around
the perimeter of the circular image.
It
is generally caused when moisture on the scope or coupler
lenses is warmed from room temperature to body temperature.
To
avoid fogging, make sure that the entire area is very
dry before assembling the camera, the coupler and the
scope.
Use
an anti-fogging agent on the lens or use a sponge soaked
in hot saline.
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Cleaning
Sometimes the scope lens gets dirty.
One
method commonly used it to quickly and gently
stick the lens in the liver bed.
If
that does not work, then the surgeon will ask
the camera operator to remove the camera and get
the scrub nurse's assistance in cleaning the lens.
The
cleaning agent used is called FRED.
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