Canon Medical and Olympus Collaborate on Endoscopic Ultrasound Systems

Canon Medical Systems Corporation (Tochigi, Japan) and Olympus Corporation (Tokyo, Japan) have entered into an agreement to collaborate on endoscopic ultrasound systems. Under the agreement, Canon Medical will develop and manufacture diagnostic ultrasound systems used in endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), while Olympus will undertake sales and marketing of the products. The collaboration between Canon's Aplio i8002 diagnostic ultrasound system for EUS and Olympus' Ultrasound Endoscope aims to provide the market with advanced EUS equipment that can deliver high-quality image diagnoses. Both companies are focusing on technological advancements and improving diagnostic performance in the field of EUS, while planning for global expansion, beginning in Japan and Europe. The Aplio i800 EUS will make its debut in the European market and become available for purchase within Q1 2024.

Canon Medical has a history of over 100 years in diagnostic imaging systems, including X-ray diagnostic systems, CT, MRI, and ultrasound diagnostic systems, and offers products and services to more than 150 countries and regions across the world. Since the 1960s, the company has been leading in the development of diagnostic ultrasound systems and pioneered the development of A-mode (Amplitude display mode) systems for neurosurgery and linear electronic scanning systems, among others. Canon Medical's strengths lie in its advanced ultrasound image quality and proprietary technologies, such as D-THI, an image quality enhancement technology, and SMI, an imaging technology that allows for the delineation of extremely slow and fine blood flow, which has been tough to image in the past.

Image: Canon Medical and Olympus are focusing on enhancing diagnostic performance in the EUS field (Photo courtesy of Olympus)

Olympus has helped elevate the standard of care through early detection, diagnosis and staging, and minimally invasive treatment ever since it developed the world’s first practical gastrocamera. The company has worked closely with physicians in the field of EUS to develop new equipment that enhances imaging and diagnostic methods and expands procedures. Through this collaboration, the two companies aim to achieve further qualitative improvements in the quality of images and performance in diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of EUS, ultimately enabling the early detection of diseases.

“We have been promoting our business with diagnostic imaging at its core under the philosophy of "Made for Life," which expresses our desire to contribute to medical care that protects precious lives,” said Toshio Takiguchi, President and CEO, Canon Medical Systems Corporation. “We have a long history in diagnostic ultrasound systems and have developed unique technologies that contribute to the early detection of diseases in cooperation with doctors around the world. We are very pleased to collaborate with Olympus, a leading endoscope manufacturer, in the EUS field, which we have not been able to cover adequately until now, to deliver superior solutions to more patients.”

“Olympus aims to improve patients’ quality of life through early diagnosis made available with Endoscopic Ultrasound Systems,” added Frank Drewalowski, Executive Officer and Endoscopic Solutions Division Head, Olympus Corporation. “In the field of EUS, diagnostic ultrasound systems are very important, and we are pleased to have a cooperative relationship with Canon Medical, which has advanced ultrasound imaging technology. Canon Medical and Olympus will continue to introduce products and technology that address the needs of the patients, healthcare professionals, and the broader medical industry.”