Olympus introduces Endo Capsule Software for examining high resolution small bowel images

Olympus, a precision technology leader, creating innovative opto-digital solutions in healthcare, life science and consumer electronics products, today announced the introduction of its improved user-friendly Endo Capsule Software version 1.02A, a customized and comprehensive system for examining high resolution small bowel images. With its new overview and express viewing modes, the software reduces the overall time it takes to review an examination. For convenient viewing, the overview feature allows the physician to display characteristic still images of the examination on a single contact page while comparing images with explicit changes to the previous image. The entire examination can be condensed into a maximum of 2000 still images.

"The overview function has revolutionized the reading of capsule endoscopy by providing busy doctors a quick way to assess whether a study is complete and if there is significant pathology," said Daniel Brown, M.D., Acting Chief, Gastroenterology, Central Arkansas Veterans Hospital System. "I wish I had this software on my workstation yesterday," added Brown.

The new express viewing modes allow doctors to focus on the diagnostically important aspects of a capsule study by eliminating images with no significant changes. It includes the express-selected and express-skipped modes. The express-selected mode analyzes data for redundant image sequences and compiles images with a high level of dissimilarity as a running video stream. The remaining images are compiled into the express-skipped mode. The Endo Capsule Software version 1.02A also offers an auto adjust mode for detecting repetitive images and automatically adjusting the playback speed.

The Endo Capsule Software version 1.02A also features red color detection with enhanced sensitivity and specificity. The software is also designed to help set anatomical landmarks throughout the GI tract and calculates the distance between these structures with color-coded markers to better assist in understanding the localization and transit time through the GI tract. Endo Capsule also includes eight high-contrast levels and seven passive structure enhancement levels, similar to Olympus' endoscope technology, for physicians to customize the viewing experience to suit their eyes. Report generation has also been improved allowing for greater flexibility with font size, thumbnails and patient and facility information, allowing physicians to easily customize reports.

The software, cleared by the FDA for clinical use in July 2009, will be available for automatic upgrade by Olympus for all current Endo Capsule customers in the coming months. July also marked the launch of Olympus' Endo Capsule Loyalty Program, a cost per capsule procedure program that has no upfront investment needs and makes it easier for customers to purchase the Endo Capsule system.