Olympus enters into sales and distribution partnership with Advanced
Surgical Concepts
22 December 2008
Olympus has signed an exclusive agreement to distribute the minimally
invasive surgery products of Irish company Advanced Surgical Concepts
worldwide.
ASC is the sole global provider of ports for state-of-the-art
laparoscopic operative techniques via a single access point — the
patient's navel. Olympus is now the exclusive distributor for the full
range of products involved.
Laparo endoscopic single-site surgery (LESS surgery) — endoscopic
surgery via the umbilicus — ranks as one of the most important recent
innovations in medical technology.
As distributor for the TriPorts and QuadPorts developed by ASC,
Olympus is now a key player in the technology of this high-potential
market. Using these ports, three or four instruments can be introduced
into the patient's abdomen via a single access point (eg the navel). Up
to now, most minimally invasive operations required three or even four
separate access points.
"As the global market leader in the field of quality endoscopic systems,
we will now be supplying the ports, the manual instruments and the
optics for the dynamic field of minimally invasive surgery from a single
source," explains Heinz Jacqui, CEO at Olympus Winter & Ibe, referring
to the strategic distribution partnership. In addition to its
responsibilities in the area of sales cooperation, this subsidiary
company also runs Olympus' surgical development and production centre.
"By using the cooperation with Olympus and their worldwide distribution
network we are able to offer our products in combination with today's
best endoscopic system," says Frank Bonadio, CEO of Advanced Surgical
Concepts Limited. "The synergy between our companies' products will
allow us to dominate the market for LESS surgery and results in the long
term cooperation of our two companies."
The market for minimally invasive products is constantly expanding. In
Europe alone, around 900,000 gall bladder operations are carried out
each year. Over the next few years, a larger number of gall bladder
operations will be performed via the umbilicus. Experts predict a
significant increase in operations — including complex operations —
involving 'scarless' surgery within the coming years.
In addition to the benefits for the patient in terms of the cosmetic
aspect and reduction in pain from the healing process, this new form of
access brings advantages for hospitals, with costs being held at the
same level as for conventional operating techniques, whilst continuing
the trend towards shorter in-patient times and reduced hospital costs
through minimised risk of post-operative infection.
With its products and systems solutions, Olympus is positioning
itself as a capable partner for the medical sector. Flexible and rigid
endoscopes are playing a decisive role in minimally invasive diagnostics
and therapy. The company's range of products comprises endoscopes and
systems solutions for wide-ranging applications in internal medicine and
surgery, endoscopic video systems, reprocessing systems and a broad
selection of endotherapy products.
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