Olympus Medical Systems Corporation (President: Haruhito Morishima) today announced the availability of VisiGlide*, its new single use guidewire developed with advanced technology from Terumo Corporation (President: Akira Takahashi) to facilitate ERCP procedures performed by gastroenterologists. Designed for use in endoscopic treatment of the biliary and pancreatic ducts, the new 0.025 inch VisiGlide provides the same level of support and stiffness as a traditional 0.035 inch guidewire. Its enhanced design includes a superelastic alloy and hydrophilic coatings to facilitate passage through strictures and make selective insertion into the bile and pancreatic ducts easier. By integrating Terumo’s advanced materials processing technology with Olympus’ endoscope and device combination technology, the VisiGlide is expected to provide improved guidewire insertability and maneuverability in the bile and pancreatic  ducts – systems that are traditionally difficult to reach endoscopically. The core wire of VisiGlide is made of a superelastic 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 while facilitating the exchange of ERCP devices. These advances in design are expected to make gastrointestinal procedures performed with the ERCP technique faster and easier. 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 Single Use 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.

VisiGlide Single Use Guidewire Market Introduction Background 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 tumors, has been increasing. At the same, 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, resulting in complex and protracted procedures in which multiple devices are variously advanced along a guidewire inserted into the papilla of Vater subsequent to 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 VisiGlide is designed to reduce the demands this procedure imposes on doctors and staff and to reduce the time taken to perform it. VisiGlide stems from a comprehensive business collaboration agreement in 2001 between Olympus and Terumo for medical device development. VisiGlide is manufactured by Terumo and will be marketed by Olympus Medical.

About Olympus Olympus is a precision technology leader, creating innovative opto-digital solutions in healthcare, life science and consumer electronics products. Olympus works collaboratively with its customers and its affiliates worldwide to leverage R&D investment in precision technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines.  These include: Gastrointestinal endoscopes, accessories, and minimally invasive surgical products; Advanced clinical and research microscopes; Digital cameras and voice recorders. Olympus serves the healthcare field with integrated product solutions and financial, educational and consulting services that help customers to efficiently, reliably and more easily achieve exceptional results.  Olympus develops breakthrough technologies with revolutionary product design and functionality for the consumer and professional photography markets, and also is the leader in gastrointestinal endoscopy and clinical and educational microscopes.  For more information, visit  www.olympus.co.uk