Medtronic Launches Video-Based ENT Endoscopes

CHICAGO — Medtronic today announced that they launched new video endoscopy technology to the ear, nose and throat (ENT) community at the American Academy of Otolaryngology Foundation’s annual conference last week in Chicago.

The conference attendees included about 12,000 otolaryngologists, physicians and surgeons from more than 75 countries who treat disorders of the ear, nose, and throat anatomy, as well as related structures of the head and neck. These treatments include swallowing disorders (Dysphagia), sinusitis, hoarseness, chronic cough, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Barrett's disease and head and neck cancer.

The technology is from Vision-Sciences, Inc. and is called the Vision-Sciences 5000 Series video endoscopy product line.

The new video imaging product line includes the ENT-5000, a flexible laryngoscope with the world's smallest diameter video-based insertion tube, which provides images of the internal structures of the nasal cavity, vocal folds, larynx and other areas of the throat.

The product line also includes the TNE-5000, a flexible transnasal

esophagoscope that provides views of the esophagus and stomach; and the DPU-5050A, a digital camera control unit. These digital video-based endoscopes facilitate diagnostic and therapeutic procedures without general anesthesia or intravenous sedation.

“We believe that our unique technology, together with Medtronic's marketing and sales infrastructure, will commence a paradigm shift and transition from the fiberoptic endoscopes currently used by most ENT physicians to superior, high resolution digital imaging video scopes," Ron Hadani, CEO of Vision-Sciences, Inc., said in a press release.

Vision-Sciences, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets flexible endoscopic products for the urology, gastroenterology and ENT markets and uses the proprietary sterile disposable EndoSheath Technology.