Olympus Wins FDA Nod for Advanced Imaging Endoscopes

Olympus has earned U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for its EZ1500 series endoscopes, which feature the company’s Extended Depth of Field (EDOF) technology.

The company said the EDOF endoscopes represent its most advanced imaging and latest addition to the EVIS X1 endoscopy system. EDOF tech means an entire lesion can be kept in focus, potentially helping detection when inspecting the GI tract’s mucosal lining.

EDOF creates an image in total focus by using two prisms to split light entering the endoscope’s lens into two separate beams with near- and far-focused images. Those beams are projected onto an image sensor, merging them into one image with a wide depth of field.

Olympus said the tech offers better visibility and less blurring compared to its previous generation scopes. The EZ1500 series EDOF scopes allow for closer distance in normal mode compared to the CF-HQ190L/I (3 mm vs. 5 mm) without blurring, limiting the need to switch from normal to near mode.

The GIF-EZ1500 gastroscope and the CF-EZ1500DL/I colonoscope also feature a lightweight ErgoGrip control section and compatibility with Texture and Color Enhancement Imaging (TXI), Red Dichromatic Imaging (RDI) and Narrow Band Imaging™ (NBI™) technologies when connected to the EVIS X1 CV-1500 video system center.

“As a leading global MedTech company, Olympus remains committed to providing advanced options to help physicians offer their patients the best care possible,” said Kurt Heine, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Gastrointestinal Solutions at Olympus Corporation. “Our goal is to elevate the standard of endoscopy, and Extended Depth of Field (EDOF) technology represents Olympus’ most advanced scope technology to help physicians drive the best clinical outcomes for advancing gastrointestinal procedures.”