Endoscopes including Olympus gastrointestinal endoscopes have become essential tools at hospitals and clinics around the globe, playing a vital role in supporting the early detection and treatment of diseases. Olympus´ share of the world market for gastrointestinal endoscopes has reached approximately 70%. At the root of this success is Olympus´ commitment to meeting the needs of doctors for high-quality medical equipment and to improving quality of life for patients.

Olympus offers comprehensive support for medical practitioners, from development of medical equipment for diagnoses and treatments to design of hospital management support systems and other healthcare IT systems, as well as support training for doctors and nurses in using Olympus equipment. Olympus is also focusing efforts on development of surgical endoscopes and endotherapy products in response to the recently increasing number of patients undergoing procedures and treatments using endoscopes, which are easier on the body than open surgery.

Another major issue for Olympus is how to enlighten people who harbor concerns over their health but choose not to get checkups or screenings. One initiative Olympus has taken is the "BRAVE CIRCLE" campaign for colorectal cancer awareness, through which we are stressing the importance of regular checkups.

Olympus has also devised a number of groundbreaking new technologies, including special illumination imaging technology that optically displays enhanced images for clear identification of changes to the tissue characteristics of lesions, as well as development of capsule endoscopes for the small intestine. We will continue to develop new models of endoscopes that reduce patient burden and are easier to insert and operate.

With peace of mind and safety as top priorities, Olympus will continue to contribute to the realization of better healthcare by pursuing the themes of patient-friendly medical care that supports early detection and treatment of diseases, high reliability through products of outstanding quality and performance, and excellent efficiency through products and services that enhance the effectiveness of medical services.

Gastrointestinal Endoscopes for Early Discovery of Changes in Tissue Characteristics

Gastrointestinal endoscopes are used for direct observation of the digestive tract, playing a crucial role in the early detection and treatment of diseases. Olympus has a strong track record in supporting physicians with the discovery of changes in tissue characteristics for more accurate diagnosis and discovery of diseases at an early stage.

From the proliferation of videoscopes that display the conditions inside a patient´s organs on a video monitor to the introduction of HDTV (high-definition television) technology for improvements in image quality, as well as the unveiling of endoscopic ultrasound systems that enable observation of deeper areas by use of ultrasound sensors, Olympus has driven innovations in endoscope technology.

Aiming to set new standards in next-generation endoscope systems, Olympus has developed advanced imaging technologies to assist in the early detection of minute
lesions such as cancer and diseased areas, as well as more accurate diagnosis of the extent of changes in tissue characteristics.

Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) displays enhanced images of capillary vessels in the mucosal surface and minute mucosal texture. By controlling the wavelength of light used, Auto Fluorescence Imaging (AFI) displays enhanced images of differences in the coloration of tumorous lesions and normal mucosa. Infra Red Imaging (IRI) provides for better viewing of blood vessels and information about blood flow deep in the mucosa.

In Europe and the United States, Olympus has launched sales of capsule endoscope systems for use in the small intestine with minimum invasiveness, enabling diagnosis
of trouble in the small intestine, an area difficult to reach with conventional endoscopes. Olympus will continue to explore the further potential of these technologies.

Minimally Invasive Endoscopes to Improve Quality of Life for Patients

Since implementing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, endoscopes have come into wide use during surgical procedures in a variety of clinical disciplines, including general surgery, gynecology and urology. Several factors have led to the expansion of Olympus´ minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment products for endoscopic surgery, which enables effective medical procedures and treatments without open abdominal surgery.

These factors include improved image quality through the advent of high-resolution HDTV imaging, as well as Olympus´ development of a broad lineup of endotherapy products, treatment equipment and endoscopic surgery apparatus. We believe that greater use of endoscopes in surgical procedures will not only help to shorten hospital stays and alleviate burden on patients, but will also contribute to greater efficiency in healthcare.

Endotherapy Products For Various Treatments

In addition to diagnosis, gastrointestinal endoscopes are also used for treatments. Using these endoscopes helps to extract tissue samples, arrest bleeding, make excisions, retrieve stones and perform other medical treatments.

On top of these advances, Olympus is working to upgrade its lineup of endotherapy products and to provide total solutions to medical practitioners. Endoscopic Mucosal
Resection (EMR) and Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) are endoscopic therapy techniques for the treatment of early-stage malignant tumors such as cancer, and both have come into wider use in recent years, contributing to improvements in quality of life for patients.

As with endoscopes, Olympus makes every effort to tie its development of endotherapy products to the needs of doctors and the development of therapeutic techniques.

Supporting Efficient Hospital Management

Controlling medical costs has become a major issue in modern society. Olympus supports greater efficiency in hospital management by supplying endoscopic equipment
that lightens the burden on patients and provides medical information management. Our endoscope diagnosis and treatment support system enables entire medical procedures to be recorded, from registration for an endoscopic examination through to its conclusion and calculation of insurance claims, thereby contributing to the clarification of necessary costs and analysis of bottlenecks.

Olympus also has a nursing care work support system for medical wards of hospitals, where most medical events occur. Using PDAs at the patients´ bedsides, nurses are able to enter and store information on the procedures they take. This helps to prevent malpractice such as mixing up patients or drugs, while increasing the efficiency of operations.

While spurring further advances in technology,Olympus will maintain its dedication to creating better healthcare environments through development of minimally invasive devices and operational support systems for efficient hospital management, as well as image filing apparatus and systems to prevent medical errors. We are convinced that these endeavors will contribute to better quality of life for patients.