and ASC
Minimally
Invasive Surgery: Olympus Further Enhances Credentials by Entering Into
Exclusive Sales and Distribution Partnership With Market and Technology
Leader Advanced Surgical Concepts
HAMBURG, Germany, December 11, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Olympus
has further cemented its position as a leader in the field of minimally
invasive surgery by signing an exclusive and immediate deal to
distribute the products of Irish company Advanced Surgical Concepts
worldwide. ASC is the sole global provider of ports for
state-of-the-art laparoscopic operative techniques via a single access
point - the patient's navel. Olympus is now the exclusive distributor
for the full range of products involved.
Laparo Endoscopic Single-site Surgery (LESS surgery) - endoscopic
surgery via the umbilicus - ranks as one of the most important recent
innovations in medical technology. As distributor for the TriPorts and
QuadPorts developed by ASC, Olympus is now a key player in the
technology of this high-potential market. Using these ports, three or
four instruments can be introduced into the patient's abdomen via a
single access point (e.g. the navel). Up to now, most minimally
invasive operations required three or even four separate access points.
"As the global market leader in the field of quality endoscopic
systems, we will now be supplying the ports, the manual instruments and
the optics for the dynamic field of minimally invasive surgery from a
single source," explains Heinz Jacqui, CEO at Olympus Winter & Ibe,
referring to the strategic distribution partnership. In addition to its
responsibilities in the area of sales cooperation, this subsidiary
company also runs Olympus' surgical development and production centre.
"By using the cooperation with Olympus and their worldwide distribution
network we are able to offer our products in combination with today's
best endoscopic system," says Frank Bonadio, CEO of Advanced Surgical
Concepts Limited. "The synergy between our companies' products will
allow us to dominate the market for LESS surgery and results in the
long term cooperation of our two companies."
The market for minimally invasive products is constantly expanding. In
Europe alone, around 900,000 gall bladder operations are carried out
each year. Over the next few years, a larger number of gall bladder
operations will be performed via the umbilicus. Experts predict a
significant increase in operations - including complex operations -
involving 'scarless' surgery within the coming years.
In addition to the benefits for the patient in terms of the cosmetic
aspect and reduction in pain from the healing process, this new form of
access brings advantages for hospitals, with costs being held at the
same level as for conventional operating techniques, whilst continuing
the trend towards shorter in-patient times and reduced hospital costs
through minimised risk of post-operative infection.
With its products and systems solutions, Olympus is positioning itself
as a capable partner for the medical sector. Flexible and rigid
endoscopes are playing a decisive role in minimally invasive
diagnostics and therapy. The company's range of products comprises
endoscopes and systems solutions for wide-ranging applications in
internal medicine and surgery, endoscopic video systems, reprocessing
systems and a broad selection of endotherapy products.
For further information, please contact:
Silvia Schanze
Corporate Marketing
Olympus Winter & Ibe GmbH
Kuhnstrasse 61, 22045 Hamburg
Tel: +49-40-669-66-2370
Email: Silvia.Schanze@olympus-owi.com
SOURCE Olympus Winter & Ibe
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