Olympus Presents Innovative Line of Bronchoscopes at American College of Chest Physicians

SALT LAKE CITY -- Olympus presented four bronchovideoscopes from its new 180 series that provide enhanced diagnostic capabilities, outstanding imaging performance and improved efficiency. The scopes, which feature Olympus' proprietary Narrow Band Imaging™ (NBI), exceptional optics, slimmer designs and easier handling, were presented at CHEST 2006, the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), Salt Palace Convention Center, Oct. 21-26, 2006.

NBI is an imaging technology that enhances the visibility of vessels and other anatomical structures on mucosal surfaces. It works by altering white light to specific wavelength bands, which take advantage of the scattering and absorption properties of human tissues.

"Narrow Band Imaging is a novel technique that takes advantage of the increased blood supply of dysplastic¹ tissues to more clearly contrast them to adjacent tissues using specially designed optical filters," stated Brad Vincent, MD, department of internal medicine, division of pulmonary and critical care, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, S.C.

"Narrow Band Imaging is a new endoscopic imaging modality, that improves the visualization of subepithelial vascular patterns of the bronchial mucosa," added Felix Herth, MD, chief physician for pulmonology and respiratory critical care medicine for the department of pulmonary and critical care medicine, Thoraxklinik, Heidelberg, Germany.

The BF-Q180 delivers improved image quality and greatly enlarged image size in comparison to conventional bronchoscopes, yet the scope's distal end measures just 5.5 mm and its insertion tube a thin 5.1 mm. Fully compatible with the new Olympus CV-180 video processor and CLV-180 light source, the BF-Q180 redefines examination and treatment in the bronchial tree.

The BF-P180 bronchovideoscope delivers a slim design and excellent image quality for routine examinations and treatment. In spite of the scope's slim design, 4.9 mm in diameter at the distal end, its working channel measures a generous 2.0 mm in diameter.

The BF-1T180 features a 6.0 mm insertion tube and a wide 3.0 mm diameter working channel, which can accommodate a wide variety of EndoTherapy accessories. It also provides a powerful suction performance even when a device is passed through.

The 180 series of bronchovideoscopes also includes the world's first fully autoclavable flexible bronchoscope, which Olympus developed in response to demands from physicians and other healthcare providers. The innovative BF-Q180-AC is setting a new standard for flexible bronchoscopy with its unique autoclavable design. This unique scope contains proprietary Olympus materials and has been designed to withstand repeated exposure to the high temperatures and high pressures of autoclaving.

Other Key Offerings
Additional Olympus bronchoscopy products and services presented at CHEST 2006 include the following:
-- BF-UC160F-OL8 endobronchial ultrasound hybrid fibervideoscope offering linear-scanning ultrasound imaging capability and a dedicated aspiration needle for real-time diagnostic biopsies in the lung
-- LTF-160 Pleuravideoscope, with a slim, semi-flexible design has been specially developed to simplify and streamline medical thoracoscopy procedures under local anesthesia.
-- Numerous EndoTherapy accessories for bronchoscopy, including biopsy forceps, grasping forceps, retrieval baskets, cytology brushes, aspiration needles, electrocautery devices and other important sampling products.
-- n-Stream Dual Channel Video Capture Management System, which is ideally suited to the demands of a clinical workflow.
-- EndoWorks®, an integrated Web-based information management solution that spans all stages of patient care. Since 1990, Olympus has produced software used by pulmonary endoscopy labs to increase productivity and efficiency.

References
1. Dysplasia are cells that look abnormal under a microscope but are not cancer, Dictionary of Cancer Terms, National Cancer Institute (www.cancer.gov), visited October 2006

Source: Olympus