Duodenoscopes are important medical devices that are used for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures. However, the devices have had serious problems in the past. Luckily, several medical device companies have stepped in to solve the problems. (Here are five of the innovations.) Duodenoscopes are flexible, lighted tubes threaded through the mouth, throat and stomach into the […]
Pentax
Pentax launches high-def bronchoscopes in U.S.
Pentax Medical announced today that it launched its EB-J10 Series bronchoscopes in the U.S. after receiving FDA 510(k) clearance. The Hoya (TYO:7741) subsidiary’s EB-J10 Series bronchoscopes are designed to provide high-definition visualization of the bronchus and have compatibility with the simultaneously launched Defina video processor for supporting pulmonology practices with advanced imaging. Montvale, N.J.-based Pentax’s EB-J10 […]
Pentax Medical launches Imagina endoscope in U.S.
Hoya (TYO:7741) subsidiary Pentax Medical announced that it won FDA 510(k) clearance for its Imagina endoscopy system and initiated the device’s U.S. launch. The Imagina system is designed to perform gastrointestinal (GI) procedures at ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). It features a touch-screen LCD interface while eliminating the need for periodic bulb replacements. It also includes the […]
Pentax has a duodenoscope meant to reduce superbug fears — and now it’s for sale in the U.S.
Hoya (TYO:7741) subsidiary Pentax Medical has announced the U.S. launch of its DEC HD duodenoscope, which boasts a sterile, disposable elevator meant to reduce reprocessing challenges associated with the device. The news, released yesterday, comes about a week after FDA announced clearance of the Pentax duodenoscope. The DEC HD duodenoscope has been available in global […]
BREAKING: FDA clears Pentax Medical duodenoscope meant to reduce superbug fears
The FDA today announced that it has cleared a duodenoscope from Hoya’s (TYO:7741) Pentax subsidiary that has a sterile, disposable elevator — a first in the U.S. The Pentax Medical duodenoscope’s design reduces the number of parts requiring cleaning and disinfection between uses, according to the FDA. Reducing reprocessing challenges, the thinking goes, will help prevent […]
FDA pushes duodenscope makers, users away from reprocessed devices
The FDA yesterday recommended that healthcare providers move away from a type of infection-prone duodenoscope in favor of devices that can better be sterilized, after post-market surveillance again found higher-than-expected contamination rates of “high-concern organisms.” In April the FDA revealed new data showing that rates of so-called “superbug” infections were nearly twice as high as […]
Sen. Murray goes after duodenoscope makers
Senator Patty Murray (D-Wa) is going after duodenoscope makers again over continued concerns about high rates of contamination in the devices, even after sterilization and cleaning, according to letters the official sent to makers Olympus (TYO:7733), Fujifilm Holdings (TSE:4901) and Hoya’s (TYO:7741) Pentax subsidiary. The letter comes only a month after the FDA released an analysis of medical device reports […]
FDA: Duodenoscope reprocessing is dirtier than we thought
The FDA said today that new data show that the contamination rate for “high-concern organisms” in duodenoscopes is nearly twice as high as previously thought and warned the devices three major manufacturers to get their required post-market studies in gear. Back in 2015 the federal safety watchdog warned Olympus (TYO:7733), Fujifilm Holdings (TSE:4901) and Hoya’s (TYO:7741) Pentax subsidiary following a string […]
7 medtech stories we missed this week: August 3, 2018
From Esaote launching its new ultrasound device to Nipro’s Infraredx launching in Japan, here are seven medtech stories we missed this week but thought were still worth mentioning. 1. Esaote launches new ultrasound devices Esaote announced in an Aug. 2 press release that it has launched its new MyLab X7, MyLab X6 and MyLab X5 ultrasound […]
7 medtech stories we missed this week: June 8, 2018
From Royal Philips receiving FDA clearance to NeuroPace launching its epilepsy treatment device, here are seven medtech stories we missed this week but thought were still worth mentioning. 1. FDA clears Philips’s Ingenia Elition 3.0T MR scanner Royal Philips announced in a June 5 press release that it has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Ingenia […]
FDA OKs limited duodenoscope sterilization by Custom Ultrasonics AERs
The FDA today announced that Custom Ultrasonics completed validation testing of its System Plus automated endoscope reprocessors, and that the devices are cleared for the reprocessing of certain duodenoscopes. With the clearance, the Philadelphia-based company’s line of System 83 Plus AERs are cleared for washing and disinfecting the Olympus (TYO:7733) TJF-180V and Pentax ED-3490TK duodenoscopes, according to an FDA […]
