Easier and faster ERCP procedures with VisiGlide

Olympus introduces a new single-use guidewire specifically designed for endoscopic treatment in the biliary pancreatic duct: the VisiGlide

Hamburg, 3 November 2009 – Olympus Medical Systems Corporation and Olympus Medical Systems Europe announced the availability of VisiGlide*, its new single-use guidewire developed with advanced technology from Terumo Corporation to facilitate endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures performed by gastroenterologists. The VisiGlide is designed not only to reduce the demands these procedures impose on doctors, but also to reduce the time it takes to perform them. VisiGlide will be launched in Europe in November 2009.

In recent years, the occurrence of pancreaticobiliary diseases, such as drainage dysfunction of digestive fluids (bile and pancreatic juice) into the duodenum caused by biliary stricture and papillary stricture due to bile stones and malignant tumours, has been increasing. At the same time, therapeutic modalities have been shifting from conventional surgery to endoscopic treatments that are less invasive for patients. The pancreatobiliary ducts are the most difficult site in the gastrointestinal tract to approach endoscopically. This results in complex and protracted procedures in which multiple devices are variously advanced along a guidewire inserted into the papilla of Vater following the observation of the exterior of the papilla (the opening of the bile and pancreatic ducts) with an endoscope that has been advanced to the duodenum.

The new 0.025-inch VisiGlide, designed for use in endoscopic treatment of the bile and pancreatic ducts, provides the same level of support and stiffness as a traditional 0.035-inch guidewire. Its enhanced design includes a super elastic alloy and hydrophilic coating to facilitate passage through strictures and to make selective insertion into the bile and pancreatic ducts easier.

By combining Terumo Corporation’s advanced materials processing technology with Olympus’ endoscope and device combination technology, the VisiGlide is expected to improve guidewire insertion as well as manoeuvrability in the bile and pancreatic ducts. The core wire of VisiGlide is made of a super elastic alloy with a thin fluorine coating on its shaft. Its supportive and kink-resistant design combined with its coatings enable the guidewire to pass smoothly through strictures and facilitates the exchange of ERCP devices. These advances in design are expected to make gastrointestinal procedures performed with the ERCP technique faster and easier.

VisiGlide single-use guidewire

VisiGlide provides visible markings to indicate various distances from the distal end in order to facilitate placement and confirmation of the position of the guidewire in the endoscopic field of view during endoscopic treatment and when exchanging devices. This feature is expected to save X-ray radiation time. In addition, two radiopaque markers are incorporated to improve the visibility of the guidewire under fluoroscopy.

* “VisiGlide” is the nickname for Olympus G-240-2527S/A, 2545S/A, 3527S/A and 3545S/A disposable guidewires. “VisiGlide” is a coinage that represents the product’s improved “visibility” in endoscopy and fluoroscopy and its improved “glidability” in passage of the stricture and in exchange of devices.

Market introduction background

VisiGlide stems from a comprehensive business collaboration agreement in 2001 between Olympus and Terumo Corporation for medical device development. Terumo Corporation manufactures VisiGlide.

About Olympus

Olympus is one of the leading manufacturers of professional opto-digital products for both business and leisure, as well as for medical, scientific and industrial sectors worldwide. In 1919 the parent company was founded in Japan. The Hamburg-based European headquarters was established in 1963. Today the Olympus Europa Group comprises 50 sales, service and manufacturing companies in almost every country throughout Europe.

For more information, visit www.olympus-europa.com

For questions or further information, please contact:
Olympus Medical Systems Europa GmbH
Alexandra Roderigo
Wendenstrasse 14 – 18
20097 Hamburg
Phone: +49 (0)40 237 730
Fax: +49 (0)40 237 73 5 731
alexandra.roderigo@olympus-europa.com