Olympus announces exclusive distribution of Glidewire endoscopic guidewire

Olympus has announced its exclusive U.S. distributorship of the Terumo Glidewire endoscopic hydrophilic coated guidewire for pancreatic and biliary procedures. The company’s partnership with Terumo will expand physician access to the guidewire, according to a press release.

“I have used the Glidewire for [endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography] and for complex advanced endoscopic procedures for more than 20 years,” Todd Baron, MD, director of advanced therapeutic endoscopy at University of North Carolina, said in the press release. “I find it to be extremely useful for navigating difficult strictures, especially when other guidewires have failed. It is an indispensable tool for consistently succeeding in ERCP.”

Todd Baron

The Glidewire, which complements VisiGlide guidewire products designed for successful pancreaticobiliary access, enables precise ductal navigation, can be used for guiding and exchanging accessories in the biliary system, and is safe in sphincterotomy, according to the press release.

“By adding this trusted guidewire to our EndoTherapy line-up, we extend the guidewire options for complex ERCP procedures,” Earl Adamy, executive director of Endotherapy marketing at Olympus America Inc., said in the press release. “The Glidewire endoscopic guidewire improves the quality of care by providing physicians access to complicated anatomy where they may not have had the benefit of access before.”

Disclosures: Baron reports he is a contracted physician with Olympus, and Adamy is an employee of Olympus.