New Endoscopic Ultrasound Processor Locates Deep Lesions Invisible to Gastrointestinal Endoscopes

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) technology is used for endoscopic ultrasonography, imaging to support the diagnosis of lesions in the pancreas, the bile ducts, or lesions that are located deep inside the body and are not visible with gastrointestinal endoscopes. In addition, it enables the detailed examination of pancreatitis, pancreatic cancer, and the diagnosis of cancer invasion in the stomach and the esophagus. EUS also plays a key role in facilitating the visualization of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) for early, minimally invasive diagnosis and lung cancer staging. Now, a new EUS processor addresses the needs of healthcare professionals for high-quality clear images when conducting the EUS procedure and provides seamless workflow integration while advancing the dimensions of endosonography for better overall patient outcome.

Olympus Corporation (Tokyo, Japan), a pioneer in EUS technology, has launched its new EU-ME3 EUS processor to enhance the care pathway in gastrointestinal and respiratory disease management. EU-ME3 provides outstanding image quality and functionality that is substantially enhanced compared to the prior generation model (EU-ME2), providing enhanced visualization, thereby supporting a more reliable diagnosis and treatment.

Shear Wave Quantification, a newly equipped feature for EU-ME3, also contributes to accurate diagnosis by providing quantitative information on the stiffness of tumor and inflamed lesions, which is an important factor when diagnosing the degree of pancreatitis and malignancy of pancreatic cancer during endoscopic ultrasonography.

The EUS procedure typically utilizes a variety of observation modes dependent on procedure type or clinical area. Subsequently, in addition to the basic observation mode, EU-ME3 offers multiple software options for individual clinical needs, aiming to stay flexible in the selection of functions and tailor EU-ME3 depending on specialty. Smart and customizable user settings make it easy to fulfill the needs for multiple specialties and personal requirements. The backlit keyboard includes a simple, easy-to-use large touch panel and trackpad designed to support better operability and easier cleaning. With the needs of healthcare professionals and patient outcomes at its core, EU-ME3 is tailored to improve a variety of procedures. The EU-ME3 will be launched in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, parts of Asia, and Oceania within this fiscal year.

"It is said that pancreatic cancer is difficult to be detected in its early stages, and that lung cancer has the highest mortality rate among all cancers. With the launch of the EU-ME3, Olympus aims to enhance the standard of care including these diseases and to further improve the quality of life of patients," said Hironobu Kawano, Head of Endoscopic Solutions Division at Olympus.

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