Canon Medical and Olympus announced that they reached an agreement to collaborate on endoscopic ultrasound technology.
Under the agreement, Canon will develop and manufacture diagnostic ultrasound used in endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Olympus handles the sales and marketing efforts in the collaboration.
The deal utilizes Canon’s Aplio i800 diagnostic EUS ultrasound and Olympus’ ultrasound endoscope. Canon and Olympus aim to provide the market with advanced EUS equipment for high-quality image diagnoses. The companies plan to focus on technological advancements and enhancing diagnostic performance. They plan to work together on global expansion, beginning in Japan and Europe.
According to a news release, Canon’s strengths lie in its advanced ultrasound image quality and proprietary technologies. Olympus offers early detection, diagnosis, staging and minimally invasive treatments. The companies hope the collaboration provides qualitative improvements in the quality of images and performance in diagnosis and treatment of EUS.
Toshio Takiguchi, Canon Medical president and CEO, says the collaboration helps the company cover the EUS field. Previously, the company failed to cover it adequately “until now,” Takiguchi said. Now, this collaboration can “deliver superior solutions to more patients.”
“Olympus aims to improve patients’ quality of life through early diagnosis made available with endoscopic ultrasound systems,’ said Frank Drewalowski, executive officer and endoscopic solutions division head at Olympus. “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.”
