Developer of endoscopic imaging devices Pentax Medical has agreed to commercialise Smart Medical Systems’ G-Eye endoscope in Europe, the Middle East and Africa under a new strategic pan-European alliance.
With this alliance, Pentax Medical plans to further expand its colonoscopy portfolio. The companies disclosed their planned strategic alliance at the United European Gastroenterology Week (UEGW) in Berlin, Germany.
The endoscope uses the HD+ Pentax Medical colonoscope and Smart’s G-Eye balloon in order to centralise the image in the colon lumen and flattens colon folds, providing enhanced visualisation of the colon and enabling an increase in polyp detection.
Colorectal cancer evolves from pre-cancerous polyps (adenomas), which develop in the inner layer of the colon.
These life-threatening cancer types can be detected using colonoscopy, which is considered to be the best method of detecting polyps and preventing colorectal cancer.
However, results from a tandem-study in various centres in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) indicate that significant number of polyps and adenomas (20-30%) are missed during a routine colonoscopy.
With its enhanced detection and reduced miss-rate, colonoscopy with the G-EYE is considered to be more substantial and efficient in detecting polyps and adenomas than conventional colonoscopy.
Beyond detection enhancement, the G-EYE balloon is used for endoscope stabilisation during the endoscopic treatment, allowing easier and faster polyp removal.
Pentax Medical president EMEA Dr Ismaël Nujurally said: "The combination of SMART’s balloon-based endoscopy with our state-of-the-art imaging allows us to provide the market with a solution for the most advanced colonoscopy."
The G-EYE endoscope distributed by Pentax Medical is based on Pentax Medical’s full HD+ colonoscopes, combining the G-EYE technology with state-of-the-art image quality.
Smart Medical Systems CEO Gadi Terliuc said: "The G-EYE colonoscope provides optimal visualisation and exceptional detection capabilities. Clinical studies show additional adenoma detection yield of over 80%, almost doubled in comparison to standard colonoscopy."
