Serialization of single use endoscopes

A system, device and method for serializing and authorizing a single use imaging device (120) are provided. In one embodiment, the invention provides a single use imaging device comprising a memory having a stored code that includes a unique serial identifier. In another embodiment, the invention provides a system for authorizing a single use imaging device comprising a single use imaging device with an image of a verification object (410) that includes a serial identifier (400) uniquely associated with the device, a control unit (200) capable of electronically receiving the verification object image, a decoder capable of extracting a serial identifier from the verification object image, a database of authorized serial identifiers, and means for determining if the single use imaging device is authorized.