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MIS: Home > Exotics > Equipment > Rigid endoscopes
Rigid endoscopes
The compact body size of most pet exotic species coupled with the coelomic body design of birds and reptiles does lend them to rigid endoscopy.
The majority of rigid scopes incorporate a convex glass lens system, in which the small glass lenses are separated by large air spaces.
In contrast, the rod lens telescope, invented by Professor Hopkins, utilizes comparatively longer rods of glass and smaller air spaces.
The advantages of the rod lens system are greater light transmission, better image resolution, wider field of view and image magnification.
The author has used various makes and models but is of the opinion that rod lens scopes are superior, and currently prefers the diagnostic system designed by Taylor in association with Karl Storz Veterinary Endoscopy (Taylor, 1993).
The system originally designed for birds is equally applicable to reptile medicine and centers on a 2.7mm Hopkins telescope with 30-degree oblique view (64018BSA).
The 30-degree oblique view not only enables a straight on view but, by simply rotating the scope around its longitudinal axis, a much greater field of vision can be obtained.
The author has been unable to locate a manufacturer, other than Karl Storz, that can also provide a fully integrated range of accessories designed for the exotic animal veterinarian.
The 2.7mm Hopkins telescope is best used with a 14.5F operating (Taylor) sheath with 5F instrument channel (67065 CC), which provides two ports for air and/or water inflation, aspiration and irrigation.
The instrument channel permits the use of various endoscopic instruments, the most useful of which are the flexible scissors (62501EK), 5F flexible grasping forceps (67161T), 5F elliptical cup flexible biopsy forceps (67161Z) and fine aspiration/injection needle with Teflon guide (67071X).
The 5F flexible biopsy forceps are used to harvest tissue samples for histopathology and microbiology. The small sample size permits the taking of several biopsies, the taking of sequential biopsies to monitor progress and the use of endoscopic biopsy techniques in patients under 100g.
The 5F grasping forceps are useful for manipulating tissues, debridement and foreign body retrieval. The fine aspiration/injection needle can be used for remote aspiration, irrigation and drug administration.
The standard endoscope (above) and Hopkins telescope design (below). The glass rods in the Hopkins telescope provides a larger image, greater light transmission, and improved clarity of vision (courtesy of Karl Storz).
 
Left: 2.7mm telescope and 14.5 Fr Taylor operating sheath. Right: Comparison between 0o and 300 telescopes (courtesy of Karl Storz).
 
Left: Comparison between an exam/protection sheath and an operating sheath with an instrument channel. Right: The telescope housed within the Taylor operating sheath (courtesy of Karl Storz).
 
Left: Endoscopic instrument in situ within the telescope-sheath system. This system enables a single surgeon to perform endoscopy procedures including biopsy. Right: Endoscopic scissors, needle, biopsy and retrieval forceps can all be used with the 2.7mm system (courtesy of Karl Storz).
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