
Olympus Launches Next Generation Endoscopy System
Olympus Corporation has announced the market launch of its next-generation EVIS X1™ endoscopy system. This new system will be showcased and demonstrated during the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) annual meeting in Vancouver, Canada, from October 22 to 24. The EVIS X1 endoscopy system, along with two compatible endoscopes, the GIF-1100 gastrointestinal videoscope designed for the upper digestive tract and the CF-HQ1100DL/I colonovideoscope for the lower digestive tract, received clearance earlier this year.
Notably, these endoscopes feature the ErgoGrip control section, which is 10% lighter than Olympus’ previous generation, designed to enhance user comfort and accommodate users with small hands. Other key features of the EVIS X1™ endoscopy system include new texture and color enhancement technologies to enhance the visibility of lesions and polyps by improving image color and texture during endoscopic screening. It is designed to improve the visibility of deep blood vessels and bleeding points. It also has automatic brightness adjustment and the technology corrects brightness levels in dark areas of the endoscopic image while maintaining the brightness of lighter areas to enhance the overall view. The new endoscope also enhances visual observation of mucosal and vascular patterns by using specific blue and green wavelengths absorbed by hemoglobin. Finally, the technology has easy to use controls and adjustments for the physician.
Olympus’ GI endoscopy systems are used by physicians to diagnose, treat, and observe diseases and disorders of the upper and lower GI tract, including acid reflux, ulcers, Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease, and colorectal cancer (CRC). Every year in the U.S. there are 75 million endoscopy procedures performed at over 8,200 gastroenterology practices. The market for endoscopes in the U.S. is estimated to be greater than $5 billion annually.