Olympus - History

The history of endoscopy is long and often coupled with Olympus as the main supplier of high quality endoscopy solutions.
More than one hundred years ago, in 1870, one important step towards modern endoscopy was made during the discovery of the principle of total internal reflection.


	1926 The first light transmission using total internal reflection in a thin glass rod was developed. In 1930 the possibility to transmit images through glass fibres for the first time was developed.


	1936 TV broadcasting in the UK


	1950 First gastrocamera was developed, making it possible to take colour photographs of the inside of the stomach in 30 pictures. Olympus introduces this first medical camera, which was enthusiastically received by The Japan Surgery Conference.


	1952 Olympus became actively involved in the evolution of endoscopy with the launch of the first commercial gastrocamera.


	1954 The theory of fibreoptics was developed and 1956 camera operation from the control handle became possible.


	1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina D’Ampezzo


	1959 The first meeting of the Japan Gastrocamera Society (forerunner organisation of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society) took place. Olympus introduces the GTF Gastrocamera a+Fibrescope, so that doctors can begin performing new medical procedures


	1964 A Fibrescope equipped with Gastrocamera was launched by Olympus.


	1966 First meeting of World Congress of Gastroenterology in Tokyo takes place.


	1968 Report on endoscopic polypectomy; Development of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).


	1969 Lunar Landing by Apollo 11


	1974 Biopsy and cannulation through instrumental channel was made possible making endoscopic polypectomy of the early stomach cancer recognisable for the first time.


	1980 Now the progress becomes faster and faster with several new evolutions expected during the next 25 years.This year for example the first report on endoscopic biliary drainage is published and Olympus develops an acoustic ultrasonic endoscope.


	1987 Olympus introduces the first Endoscopic Video Information System, the “EVIS” range.


	2000 Development of the next generation of Video Information Systems, the “EXERA” system.


	2002 Development of the VISERA Video System for endoscopic surgery/examination.


	2004 EndoALPHA entered the European market and the first fully integrated OR was installed in Hospital Cliníc, Barcelona – the beginning of the Operating Room of the future!


	2005 Introduction of EVIS EXERA II, the ultimative imaging platform for Surgical & Medical Endoscopy, featuring HDTV 1080i, NBI (Narrow Band Imaging) and PDD (Photodynamic Diagnosis).


	2006 Redefining Capsule Endoscopy with the new EndoCapsule system.

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