Forward-Viewing Optics Improve Visualization of Fundus Diseases

An innovative curvilinear endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) scope combines a short tip with wide (over 180°) angulation capabilities to deliver enhanced maneuverability and handling.

The TGF-UC180J US gastrovideoscope provides a reduced distal tip length compared to oblique-viewing counterparts; in addition, the scope’s straight channel enables therapeutic devices to be delivered directly to the target site, potentially providing easier access to regions of interest. The enhanced maneuverability and handling offer the potential to improve visualization of fundus diseases, which can be challenging to view and diagnose. In addition, an auxiliary water jet flushes away blood and residue inside organs for a clear view at all times, eliminating the need for a balloon.


The Olympus (Tokyo, Japan) TGF-UC180J is powered by the next-generation ProSound F75 ultrasound imaging processor, developed in partnership with Hitachi Aloka Medical (Wallingford, CT, USA). The imaging platform aids in accurate diagnosis of diseases and cancers of the gastrointenstinal (GI) track and surrounding organs. The scope is also backward compatible with prior generation processors, including the Olympus EU-ME1 and Hitachi Aloka SSD-α10.

“We are pleased to introduce this newest advance in EUS technology,” said Luke Calcraft, President of the Medical Systems Group at Olympus Corporation of the Americas. “The TGF-UC180J has the potential to pave the way for new EUS-guided treatments and assist healthcare facilities in their efforts to meet the triple aim of Affordable Care through advanced diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities, clinical and cost efficiencies, and less invasive interventions for treatment of diseases and cancers in the GI tract.”

“The forward-viewing therapeutic echoendoscope is a major advance for interventional endoscopy,” said Kenneth Binmoeller, MD, medical director of the interventional endoscopy service at California Pacific Medical Center (San Francisco, USA). “It is the first true ‘hybrid’ ultrasound endoscope, enabling both ultrasound and endoscopy-guided interventions with the same instrument. This will facilitate existing EUS-guided therapies, such as pseudocyst drainage, as well as enable new EUS-guided treatments.”

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