Olympus, the world’s leading maker of gastrointestinal endoscopes, is pivoting from traditional equipment manufacturing to a comprehensive diagnostic platform incorporating artificial intelligence (AI). The Japanese company plans to launch a pilot project in Europe this year, connecting hospital endoscopes to a cloud-based software platform that can be frequently upgraded based on medical professional feedback.
“This is a transformation of the entire concept of endoscopy,” said Miquel-Angel Garcia, head of Olympus’s endoscopy solutions ecosystem, highlighting the shift from long innovation cycles to continuous, data-driven advancements.
Endoscopy, which involves using a flexible optical tube to examine internal organs like the stomach and intestines, traditionally requires highly skilled doctors to interpret video images and detect polyps. Olympus’s AI technology aims to enhance this process by improving pattern recognition, thus aiding in the identification of polyps that could develop into cancer. This advancement could reduce procedural errors and increase the number of procedures an expert can oversee daily.
Karsten Klose, global head of Olympus’s digital unit, emphasized the benefits of AI in medical procedures, noting that it can help doctors confirm cancer diagnoses and perform more procedures efficiently. However, the deployment of AI models requires regulatory approval, which adds to the timeline of widespread implementation.
Miquel-Angel Garcia, the head of Olympus’s endoscopy solutions ecosystem, mentioned that while the initial learning phase will take place in Europe, Olympus is preparing for a global rollout, including Japan, tailored to regional regulatory requirements. He also stressed the importance of AI in alleviating doctors’ diagnostic burdens, allowing them to focus more on therapeutic interventions.
As the healthcare sector grapples with capacity shortages and an aging population, AI and data-driven technologies offer promising solutions to enhance medical efficiency and address growing health concerns. Olympus’s initiative reflects a significant step towards leveraging technology to improve patient outcomes and streamline medical procedures.
