Olympus Set to Launch Capsule Endoscope in Europe

By Kyodo News International, Tokyo

Oct. 13–TOKYO — Olympus Medical Systems Corp. said Thursday it will launch a capsule endoscope for the small bowel on Oct. 24 in 33 European countries including Britain, France and Germany.

The capsule, measuring 11 millimeters in diameter and 26 mm in length, will be swallowed to transmit two images per second to a recorder unit via a built-in antenna until it is expelled through the anus, said the medical systems unit of Japanese camera maker Olympus Corp.

A viewer will allow a physician to confirm a real-time imaging recorded by the capsule endoscope and estimate the capsule position, it said.

The capsule endoscope can be used more easily than conventional endoscopes, which have difficulties in reaching the small bowel, it added.

Preparations to meet regulatory requirements have been completed in those countries. It will be put on sale in Japan as soon as approval is given, the company said.

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