Olympus today announced the U.S. launch of a slim diameter endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) bronchoscope that can reach beyond the mediastinal lymph nodes to segmental and sub-segmental airways.
The new peripheral EBUS bronchoscope strengthens Olympus' lung cancer diagnosis and staging portfolio. With an outer diameter of 5.9mm, the BF-UCP190F bronchoscope helps facilitate precise biopsy collection from deeper lung regions, such as segmental and sub-segmental airways, during a procedure called endobronchial ultrasound transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). During the procedure, specimens are collected by utilizing high-resolution, real-time ultrasound imaging to visualize and penetrate a lymph node or lesion with an EBUS-TBNA needle.
EBUS-TBNA provides a less invasive option compared to mediastinoscopy with comparable diagnostic sensitivity in patients with lung cancer. EBUS-TBNA samples are adequate for next-generation sequencing in 90.3% of cases, supporting personalized treatment planning and optimal care for patients with lung cancer.
"Extending the reach of EBUS technology beyond the central airway is an important new tool to help interventional pulmonologists diagnose and stage lung cancer with real-time image guidance," said Dr. Thomas Gildea, Global Lead, Medical Affairs, Respiratory, Olympus Corp. "This opens the door for deeper access and better understanding of the many pulmonary diseases that can affect patients worldwide."
