Pentax 2008 Annual Report Download - page 25

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conventionally used primarily to observe and diagnose
abnormalities, improvements in the functionality and
performance of endoscopes are allowing for immediate treatment
of observed areas and other advances in medical practice itself.
Recently, more and more countries are recommending colon
examinations to citizens who have reached a certain age, a trend
that promises significant development and expansion of the role
of endoscopes in the medical profession.
In the fiscal period under review, Pentax released the new “i”
series endoscope system, which supports megapixel images. The
series has received a considerable response for image quality
surpassing that of existing products, as well as superior usability,
on the heels of product presentations at academic conferences in
the United States. Following full-scale releases in the Unites States
in May 2007 and in Europe in December 2007, the system has
been selling steadily. To put this fine product in the hands of more
doctors, we are marketing to medical institutions mainly in
Western countries and aim to reinforce our marketing structure in
the year ahead. We introduced the “i” series in Japan in May 2008,
which will be followed by launches in other Asian markets.
Pentax entered the medical devices field with the 1977 release of
its first bronchofiberscope. Since that time, we have leveraged our
optomechatronics technology cultivated through camera
development to create distinctive endoscopes with our
proprietary technical capabilities.
Flexible endoscopes must provide medical practitioners with
precise response to fine manipulations down to the millimeter,
because the devices are inserted into narrow and convoluted
luminal spaces. Pentax endoscopes offer superb operability that
reflects the doctor’s manipulations in an intuitive manner, moving
the end of the instrument subtly up, down, left and right, and
responding immediately when treatment tools are activated,
stopped or released. Seeking to improve on image quality and
image processing performance, the EPK-i series endoscope
system released in 2007 succeeded in displaying megapixel-level
image resolution. In addition, we are promoting R&D to solidify
our lineup of autofluorescence endoscopes, ultrasound
“i” series megapixel-image-capable endoscope system
on sale in the United States and Europe
Pentax develops and sells flexible endoscopes for medical use,
and medical accessories (surgical instruments for endoscopes).
Flexible endoscopes are minimally invasive medical devices
with benefits for patients and doctors alike, as they enable early
detection and treatment of lesions in the body. These tools are
therefore being actively introduced in medical settings in Japan,
North America, Europe and all across the globe. Although
Pentax’s unique concepts and advanced optical and precision processing technologies are employed
in cameras, but they also find their way into medical equipment, lens units for digital cameras,
ultra-small lenses and products in a broad range of other fields that require high-resolution images
and superior functionality and performance. In particular, demand is increasing for flexible
endoscopes, in line with advances in medical treatment, doctors around the world praise Pentax
endoscopes for their ease of use and image clarity.
Pentax
Lifecare Business
Employing endoscope systems and new
ceramics to provide high-quality products that
push the envelope in medical care
Medical Devices
Highlights
Pentax endoscopes praised for their high image
quality and operability
Endoscope systems
These medical instruments enable internal observation and treatment of the digestive,
respiratory and other systems via a scope with an end-mounted image sensor, which is
inserted into the mouth, nose, anus or other openings. Affected areas and lesions can be
identified and treated without physical damage, placing less demand on the body and
shortening hospital stays in comparison with open surgery. Flexible endoscopes are truly
human-friendly medical devices.
HOYA ANNUAL REPORT 2008 23