Advancing innovation in medical technology

Since the development of the first practical gastrocamera in 1950, Olympus Medical has continued to pioneer medical devices to help push the boundaries of endoscopic treatment and diagnosis – from fibrescopes and videoscopes; to endoscopic capsules and 3D imaging. At a recent open day, Olympus Medical highlighted some of these key developments and provided an insight into some of the breakthough innovations in the field of endoscopic surgery and examination.

Olympus Medical has a long history of pioneering R&D in the field of optical technology, but first made the strategic decision to move into endoscopic surgery in the early 1970s – acquiring companies with a significant history in this field. In 2002, the company launched the first high-definition endoscopic system offering optimum visualisation that is essential for reaching an accurate diagnosis as well as for treatment. In 2006, this was followed by the launch of Narrow Band Imaging (NBI), a powerful optical image enhancement technology that improves the visibility of blood vessels and other structures.

Endoscopic visualisation has been taken to a new level as medical device experts have transferred ‘Avatar’ 3D technology from the cinema screen to the operating table.