New Endoscopy System Provides Affordable Patient Care

An innovative endoscopy platform for gastrointestinal (GI) procedures targets ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs).

The Pentax Medical (Tokyo, Japan) Imagina i10C endoscopy system combines an HD+ CMOS image sensor and a touch-screen LCD interface on the processor that displays brilliant images in 1080p resolution. The IMAGINA i10c series also offers greater ergonomic comfort for the endoscopist, with scopes that are up to 20–25% lighter and a waterproof connector that is 40% lighter, delivering greater convenience to reprocessing staff. A new waterproof scope connector eliminates the need for a soaking cap, lessening the possibility of endoscope flooding.

Two ultra-bright distally mounted LED lights illuminate the endoscopic field and eliminate the need for periodic bulb replacements. The system also includes Pentax i-SCAN, a real-time digital enhancement technology that provides pristine, crystal-clear visualization of the texture of the mucosal surface and the blood vessels of the GI tract. i-SCAN has three different settings: i-SCAN 1, i-SCAN 2, and i-SCAN 3 that are composed of varying combinations of surface enhancement (SE), contrast enhancement (CE), and tone enhancement (TE) algorithms.

“What I really like about the Imagina is that it's not just a small improvement to what we already have,” said Stepan Suchanek, MD, of the Centre for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (Prague, Czech Republic). “It's a completely new concept in endoscopy, featuring new technology that delivers superior visualization with an attractive cost model. Overall, it helps us provide efficient and effective treatment while reducing financial burdens to the health system.”

“We feel that today's ASC market is underserved. These practices are often limited to used or previous-generation equipment to stay within budget,” said David Woods, President and CEO of Pentax Medical Americas. “Imagina eliminates the costliest components of a premium GI endoscopy system and still adheres to the highest imaging standards in the industry: a true testament to our commitment to better patient outcomes, improved patient experience, and a lower overall cost of care.”

ASCs are modern health care facilities focused on providing same-day surgical care, including diagnostic and preventive procedures, providing a faster, more convenient alternative to hospital-based outpatient procedures. ASCs treat only patients who have already seen a health care provider and selected surgery as the appropriate treatment for their condition. All ASCs must have at least one dedicated operating room and the equipment needed to perform surgery safely and ensure quality patient care.

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