Killing the Superbug in the Scope

Europe gains a vital edge against hospital infections as ASP and Fujifilm secure CE approval for a breakthrough sterilization cycle

12 May 2026

Duodenoscopes are among the most difficult tools to clean in a modern hospital. Their intricate internal parts frequently harbor bacteria that survive standard disinfection, leading to high-profile outbreaks across Europe and North America. A new chemical sterilization method recently cleared for European markets aims to close this safety gap by replacing liquid chemicals with hydrogen peroxide gas plasma.

Advanced Sterilization Products and Fujifilm secured CE mark approval for the Ultra GI Cycle earlier this year. This technology targets the narrow channels and moving parts of specific Fujifilm scopes that have historically resisted thorough cleaning. Because the process operates at low temperatures, it protects the delicate optics of the devices while achieving a higher level of microbial kill than traditional washing.

Hospitals already using the Sterrad 100NX system can implement this upgrade through a software update. This avoids the massive capital expense of buying entirely new machines during a time of tightening healthcare budgets. Medical leaders suggest this move is a direct response to the European Union’s stricter medical device regulations, which now demand more rigorous proof of equipment safety.

The partnership also hints at a shift in how medical hardware is designed. Manufacturers are now looking toward a future where every new scope is built to survive gas plasma sterilization from day one. This proactive design strategy could eventually make the recurring nightmare of scope-related infections a thing of the past for European sterile processing departments.