Olympus Unveils Big Screen Surgery In 4K

Olympus’ VISERA 4K Ultra High-Definition Imaging System unites state-of-the-art electronics with advanced optics for unparalleled vision inside the human body

Olympus' VISERA 55-inch primary operative display transforms minimally invasive surgery into an immersive experience by bringing the entire surgical team into the operation

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., (March 16, 2016) – Olympus, a global technology leader in designing and delivering innovative solutions for medical and surgical procedures, among other core businesses, today unveiled VISERA 4K UHD System, its state-of-the art Big Screen surgical system, at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) 2016 Annual meeting in Boston.

The VISERA 4K UHD System delivers four times the resolution of HD with better light and wider color spectrum, promising to help surgeons operate with increased precision and confidence. The only fully integrated 4K imaging chain available for healthcare use, VISERA 4K UHD allows operating room (OR) personnel to get closer to the operating field as they view cases live on a 55-inch operative display that magnifies anatomical features to deliver more visual information to the entire surgical team.

While bringing more efficiency to the hospital, it has also been shown that minimally invasive surgery can provide significant improvements in morbidity and mortality over open surgery, with benefits to patients including less post-operative pain and faster recuperation.

VISERA 4K UHD, the first of many products from the Sony Olympus Medical Solutions joint-venture, is now transforming healthcare by enhancing minimally-invasive surgery in a range of surgical specialties including general surgery, gastroenterology, gynecology, thoracic and urology for an estimated 20 million procedures annually. Olympus' first customers began using VISERA 4K UHD during the first week of March 2016.

“The color and contrast in the Olympus 4K image provides superb clarity, unlike any operative video image I have seen before,” said Dr. Ninh Nguyen, Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Surgery at the University of California Irvine Medical Center. “The image is so clear that I was able to see down to the capillary level. [Seeing the capillary level] is important for improved dissection of tissue and evaluating the perfusion of the tissue.”

Benefits of the Integrated VISERA 4K UHD System:

The VISERA 4K UHD System was created to address unmet needs in surgical imaging by improving the visual elements essential for laparoscopic and arthroscopic surgery – light, color and resolution – via an optimized 4K imaging chain that works seamlessly together to improve visibility.

Light
To improve visibility, the VISERA 4K UHD System provides additional light to illuminate bleeding in surgical fields, visualize deep surgical cavities and enhance the viewing experience of a 5 mm telescope.

VISERA 4K UHD’s advantages include:

  • Enabling advanced multi-quadrant procedures (5 mm)
  • Enhancing procedures with challenging access (5 mm)
  • Structure enhancement allows clearer recognition of human tissue
  • Providing compatibility with narrow band imaging

Color
Current surgical imaging technology offers only limited intra-operative color enhancement for identifying anatomical structures and for precise tissue delineation.

VISERA 4K UHD’s advantages include:

  • Reproducing more vivid shades of red and yellow for better visualization
  • Allowing surgeons to observe fine patterns and structures in high precision
  • Delivering higher contrast levels with more detailed visualization to support greater accuracy

Higher Resolution
Current surgical imaging platforms do not allow for the level of magnification that can be experienced with Olympus 4K imaging.

The VISERA 4K UHD System:

  • Creates high-resolution images to help physicians identify fine patterns and anatomical structures
  • Creates an immersive experience through a reduced viewing distance and large format primary operative display

“With the introduction of the VISERA 4K UHD System, we launch a new chapter in the evolution of minimally invasive surgery – the era of Big Screen Surgery,” said Todd Usen, President, Olympus Medical Systems Group at Olympus Corporation of the Americas. “Olympus is committed to ensuring that as the tools and techniques for minimally-invasive surgery evolve, we achieve commensurate progress in creating imaging solutions that approximate the direct view of open surgery. By working closely with OR teams around the world, and our partner Sony who brings the most advanced electronics, Olympus is proud to provide our US customers with the VISERA 4K UHD system for the ultimate visibility and clarity during surgery.”

Each component of the VISERA 4K UHD System is built specifically for it by Sony Olympus Medical Solutions to ensure highest quality, control and cohesiveness of the unit. For more detailed information and full list of the VISERA 4K UHD System please visit medical.olympusamerica.com/products/VISERA-4K-UHD-System.

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About Sony Olympus Medical Solutions
As a supplier of a complete range of endoscopes, Olympus has long been engaged in the development, manufacture and sales of endoscopy products for surgical use. Sony has a long history of state-of-the-art digital imaging offerings. In 2013 the joint venture Sony Olympus Medical Solutions was formed with the aim of contributing to advances in the medical field by developing improved endoscope systems that draw on Sony's state-of-the-art digital imaging technologies and know-how, especially for 4K imaging, as well as Olympus' lenses and other optical technologies and its experience in medical equipment manufacture and development.

About Olympus Medical Systems Group
Olympus Medical Systems Group, a division of global technology leader Olympus, develops solutions for healthcare professionals that help improve clinical outcomes, reduce overall costs and enhance quality of life for their patients. By enabling less invasive procedures, innovative diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, and early stage lung cancer evaluation and treatments, Olympus is transforming the future of healthcare.

For more information visit Olympus at medical.olympusamerica.com.

i Dr. Ninh Nguyen is a paid consultant of Olympus.