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Olympus Duodenoscope Infection Lawsuits

Hospitals rely on advanced medical devices to diagnose and treat serious conditions. Patients trust that the equipment used during these procedures is safe, sterile, and properly designed. Unfortunately, a growing body of evidence has shown that certain Olympus duodenoscopes and endoscopes may have exposed patients to dangerous infections due to fundamental design flaws that prevent proper sterilization.

Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa is actively investigating claims involving Olympus scopes that allegedly transmitted harmful bacteria from patient to patient, leading to severe infections, sepsis, and, in some cases, death.

If you or a loved one developed a serious infection after a scope procedure, you may be entitled to pursue compensation through an Olympus duodenoscope infection lawsuit.

What Is a Duodenoscope and What Is an ERCP Procedure?

A duodenoscope is a specialized flexible endoscope used during a medical procedure called ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography). This procedure allows doctors to examine and treat conditions affecting the bile ducts, pancreas, gallbladder, and liver.

During an ERCP procedure:

A physician inserts the duodenoscope through the patient’s mouth
The scope travels through the stomach into the duodenum, the first section of the small intestine
The device’s camera and specialized tools allow physicians to diagnose blockages, remove gallstones, place stents, or treat pancreatic disease

Unlike many other medical instruments, duodenoscopes contain moving mechanical components, including a tiny elevator mechanism that helps guide instruments through the scope.

Because these devices are complex and expensive, they are not disposable. Instead, hospitals reprocess and reuse the scopes between patients using specialized cleaning and disinfection procedures.

The central issue in the Olympus litigation is that the device’s intricate design may prevent complete sterilization, even when hospitals follow proper cleaning protocols.

The Problem With Olympus Scope Design

Research and hospital investigations have shown that certain Olympus duodenoscopes may contain small internal crevices and mechanical parts where bacteria can accumulate.

These areas can be extremely difficult to disinfect.

Even after a hospital performs the recommended cleaning and high-level disinfection process, biological material and bacteria may remain trapped inside the device.

When the scope is then used on the next patient, the contaminated bacteria may be transferred directly into the body.

This risk has been linked to outbreaks of dangerous antibiotic-resistant infections, sometimes referred to as “superbugs,” in hospitals across the United States and around the world.

In many cases, hospitals followed the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions precisely, yet infections still occurred.

Olympus Scope Models Involved in Infection Investigations

Several Olympus duodenoscope models have been associated with infection outbreaks and safety concerns. Devices that have drawn scrutiny include:

Olympus TJF-Q180V duodenoscope
Olympus TJF-160VF duodenoscope
Olympus JF-140F duodenoscope

These devices were widely used in ERCP procedures across hospitals in the United States for many years.

Investigations have focused on whether the design of the elevator channel and internal mechanisms allowed bacteria to remain inside the device even after cleaning and disinfection.

Hospitals and regulators have examined whether alternative designs or disposable components could have reduced the risk of infection.

Infections Linked to Contaminated Duodenoscopes

Patients exposed to contaminated scopes have developed severe and sometimes life-threatening infections.

These may include:

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and other antibiotic-resistant bacteria
Sepsis and bloodstream infections
Tuberculosis
HIV transmission
Other hospital-acquired infections requiring prolonged treatment

Because symptoms may develop days or weeks after a procedure, many patients initially have no idea that the scope used during their ERCP may have been the source of the infection.

For vulnerable patients, including those already hospitalized for serious digestive conditions, these infections can quickly become catastrophic.

Injured and Have  Questions?

Call us or request a case review by our experts.

Free Consultation (561) 516-5168

Symptoms to Watch For After a Scope Procedure

Patients who develop infections after an ERCP procedure may experience symptoms within days or weeks.

Warning signs can include:

Fever or chills
Severe abdominal pain
Persistent nausea or vomiting
Fatigue or weakness
Signs of sepsis such as confusion, rapid heart rate, or low blood pressure

Anyone experiencing these symptoms after a scope procedure should seek medical attention immediately.

Olympus Recall and Safety Concerns

In January 2025, Olympus issued a voluntary recall involving certain scope models following ongoing safety concerns related to infection risk and cleaning limitations.

Medical experts and regulators have warned that the design of some duodenoscopes may allow dangerous bacteria to remain inside the device even after disinfection, creating a foreseeable risk of patient-to-patient contamination.

The recall and prior safety alerts have intensified scrutiny of the manufacturer’s design decisions, warnings to hospitals, and response to infection outbreaks.

Who May Qualify for an Olympus Scope Lawsuit?

You may be eligible to pursue a claim if any of the following apply:

You underwent a scope or ERCP procedure involving an Olympus device after 2015
You developed an infection requiring hospitalization within 90 days of the procedure
You were diagnosed with tuberculosis within 90 days of the procedure
You were diagnosed with HIV within 90 days of the procedure
A loved one developed a serious infection or passed away following a scope procedure

If these circumstances apply to you or someone you love, an investigation may help determine whether contaminated medical equipment played a role.

Why Lawsuits Are Being Filed

Olympus duodenoscope lawsuits allege that the manufacturer failed to adequately protect patients from a foreseeable infection risk.

Claims in this litigation may include allegations that Olympus:

Designed devices that could not be fully sterilized
Failed to adequately warn hospitals and physicians about infection risks
Delayed implementing safer design alternatives
Failed to provide adequate cleaning instructions for complex device components

Product liability law allows injured patients to seek compensation when a medical device is defectively designed or when manufacturers fail to properly warn users of known risks.

Why These Cases Matter

Medical devices used in hospitals are supposed to improve patient health, not expose patients to new and potentially deadly infections.

Olympus duodenoscope litigation raises serious questions about:

Device design and engineering
Infection risk disclosure
Manufacturer warnings to hospitals
Whether safer device designs were available
Whether manufacturers acted quickly enough once risks became known

When medical device companies fail to address foreseeable safety risks, the consequences can affect thousands of patients.

The civil justice system provides a path for accountability and helps drive improvements in patient safety.

How Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa Can Help

Rafferty Domnick Cunningham & Yaffa has extensive experience handling complex product liability and mass tort litigation involving defective pharmaceuticals and dangerous medical devices.

The firm has played a leadership role in major national litigation and has helped secure significant recoveries for individuals and families harmed by corporate misconduct.

Cases involving contaminated medical devices require detailed investigation, expert testimony, and sophisticated litigation strategy.

Our attorneys are actively reviewing cases involving Olympus duodenoscopes and infection transmission.

Injured and Have  Questions?

Call us or request a case review by our experts.

Free Consultation (561) 516-5168

Frequently Asked Questions About Olympus Scope Infections

What is an ERCP procedure?
An ERCP (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography) is a specialized medical procedure used to diagnose and treat conditions involving the pancreas, bile ducts, and gallbladder. Doctors use a duodenoscope to access these areas through the digestive tract.

Why are duodenoscopes reused instead of disposed after each procedure?
Duodenoscopes are complex and costly medical devices designed to be reused. Hospitals clean and disinfect them using a process called reprocessing, which involves multiple steps including cleaning, chemical disinfection, and drying.

The problem raised in litigation is that certain device designs may make complete sterilization impossible, even when hospitals follow proper procedures.

How do infections occur from contaminated scopes?
If bacteria remain inside a scope after cleaning, the next patient who undergoes a procedure with that device may be exposed to the contaminated material. Because the device enters sensitive internal organs, infections can quickly spread into the bloodstream or surrounding tissues.

What symptoms may appear after an infected scope procedure?
Symptoms of infection may include fever, chills, severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloodstream infections, or signs of sepsis. Symptoms can appear days or weeks after the procedure.

How do I know if an Olympus scope was used during my procedure?
Medical records from the hospital or physician who performed the procedure may identify the device used. An attorney can help obtain and review these records to determine whether an Olympus scope was involved.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
The time limit for filing a claim, known as the statute of limitations, varies by state and depends on when the injury was discovered. Because these cases involve medical records and complex legal issues, it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.