Expansion of GI endoscopic device line with ESD innovations

The SB Knives are a line of scissor-type ESD knives available in the U.S. through an exclusive distribution agreement between Olympus and Sumitomo Bakelite Co., Ltd. SB Knives are used in ESD to remove early gastrointestinal cancers that have not entered the muscle layer.

Minimally invasive ESD procedures can sometimes help patients avoid open surgery. These knives further emphasise Olympus’ status as an ESD champion, building on its influence in the early development of ESD as a practice, which was first identified as a procedure separate from endoscopic mucosal resection in 2003.

Olympus announced its co-promotion agreement of Eleview in the U.S. with Aries Pharmaceuticals. Eleview, designed for easy and safe resection, increases visibility of target lesion margins and is designed to lower the risk of perforation.

Eleview improves margin visualisation to help decrease the risk of gastrointestinal perforation and damage to the external muscular layer, which can lead to gastrointestinal perforation and may decrease the time needed to resect a lesion while reducing both reinjections required and piecemeal excisions, as compared to saline.

Eleview was developed by Cosmo Pharmaceuticals N.V. Olympus and Aries, the U.S. distribution arm of Aries Ltd. and a wholly owned subsidiary of Cosmo, will work together to promote Eleview to end-user customers and will each sell the product through their existing distribution networks.

This combined effort will leverage both company’s established salesforce and distribution networks to address the colonoscopy market in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Additionally, Olympus announced its exclusive distribution agreement with Ruhof Healhcare for Guardian Endoscope Single-Use Valve Set, a sterile, disposable valve that eliminates the need for manual cleaning. Manufactured by Ruhof, Guardian Endoscope Single-Use Valve Set will be distributed in the U.S. by the Olympus Endoscopy Sales team.

Designed for use in Olympus 140/160/180/190 Series Endoscopes, Guardian Endoscope Single-Use Valve Set is color coded for easy identification and differentiation. Each set contains one air/water, suction and biopsy valve and helps to prevent cross contamination. Through this partnership, Ruhof and Olympus are helping to create consistent practices and reduce the potential for error and healthcare-associated infections.

“With each device we unveil to the GI community, Olympus gains strength as being more than an excellent imaging partner; we evolve into a complete solutions provider to our customers," said Kurt Heine Group Vice President, Endoscopy Division at Olympus America Inc.

"Strategic partnerships, a commitment to innovation and a drive to provide methods to raise quality and satisfaction while lowering costs – these are ways we build trust with our customers every day.”

The SB Knives and these agreements will be highlighted to the healthcare community at the American College of Gastroenterology’s (ACG) World Congress of Gastroenterology conference in Orlando, October 13-18.