Olympus, a global medical technology company, has officially announced the launch of two bronchoscopes. Presented as a part of the company’s EVIS X1 Endoscopy System, these two bronchoscopes are given a relatively slimmer outer diameter when compared to their predecessors, thus allowing for access to more distal airways, improved suction, and optimal flexibility during procedures. Not just that, you can also combine the same with an ability to pass wide array of diagnostic and therapeutic devices, through large working channels, to successfully address the tracheal bronchial tree. Talk about the stated devices on a slightly deeper level, we begin from their large working channel, where the BF-H1100 diagnostic bronchoscope features a large 2.2mm working channel so to provide an 11% increase in suction capability. On the other hand, if we bring up the BF-1TH1100 therapeutic bronchoscope, it has a 3.0mm working channel that provides a 29% increase in suction. Next up, we must get into the scopes’ handling capabilities. This translates to how the insertion tube rotation ring on the control section is connected to the insertion tube. This, on its part, enables the insertion tube to turn without turning the control section, paving the way for a reduction in hand rotation and physical stress. Beyond the elimination of discomfort, though, such a detail also helps you to achieve a rather efficient position throughout the procedure.
“With the EVIS X1 endoscopy system, Olympus remains committed to offering physicians the best tools possible along the entire patient care pathway,” said Swarna Alcorn, Business Unit Vice President of Respiratory, Olympus Corp. of the Americas. “We are excited to launch diagnostic and therapeutic bronchoscopes supported by our most advanced endoscopy system. Pulmonologists will have the confidence to expand their reach with bronchoscopes that combine a slim outer diameter, a large working channel and improved imaging.”
Moving on, the devices in question further come decked up with a completely redesigned image sensor, something which frees up enough space for a small outer diameter, all while maintaining the HDTV resolution of their predecessors. Hold on, we still have a lot more left to unpack, considering we still haven’t touched on the fact that Olympus’ bronchoscopes also bring with them a variety of imaging technologies. For instance, it features the Brightness Adjustment Imaging with Maintenance of Contrast (BAI-MAC™) technology to let physicians correct the brightness levels in dark areas of the endoscopic image. This it does without hampering the brightness of lighter areas. Hence, the final product is a better view of distal areas, with there being no accentuating of halation in the near view. Joining the same is a Texture and Color Enhancement Imaging (TXI™) technology. This technology is specifically designed to enhance image color and texture during endoscopic screening, and therefore, increase the visibility of potentially suspicious lesions and mucosal abnormalities. There is also in play a Red Dichromatic Imaging technology (RDITM), which will bear the responsibility to enhance the visibility of deep blood vessels and bleeding points. Finally, we have the Narrow Band Imaging™ technology (NBITM). Already playing a part in several by-products of Olympus’ EVIS X1 endoscopy system, the NBI setup goes a long way to scale up visual observation of mucosal and vascular patterns. As for how it does that, the answer resides in its tendency to utilize specific blue and green wavelengths absorbed by hemoglobin. Such a tendency can eventually come in handy when the agenda is to improve visualization of the capillary network and mucosal morphology
