1. Background
Olympus Medical is a leader in the respiratory endoscopy market, holding a significant global market share in endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) and flexible bronchoscopes. To expand the application of endoscopes in the respiratory market, fifteen years ago, in 2010, Olympus’s North American subsidiary, Olympus Corporation of the Americas, acquired all shares of Spiration, making it a subsidiary of Olympus.
2. Products
SPIRATION VALVE SYSTEMRespiratory Valve System
Endobronchial Valve Therapy
The use of the respiratory valve system for endobronchial valve therapy provides a new minimally invasive treatment option for patients with severe emphysema.
Emphysema is a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) that is a progressive disease involving the gradual damage of lung tissue, particularly the destruction of alveoli (tiny air sacs). This leads to air trapping, resulting in over-inflation of the lungs and severe shortness of breath. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 3.5 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with emphysema.
The symptoms of emphysema are often not recognized until the later stages of the disease. Symptoms that may be confused with “just getting older,” such as shortness of breath or the need to pause during normal activities, may indicate lung disease. If you experience any of these symptoms or are exposed to various risk factors, you should consult your doctor.
Symptoms of Emphysema: Frequent coughing or wheezing, excessive mucus, shortness of breath, especially during physical activity, wheezing or whistling sounds when breathing, and chest tightness.
Causes of Emphysema: While smoking is considered the leading cause of emphysema, long-term exposure to airborne irritants (such as air pollution) can lead to the breakdown of lung tissue over time. Genetic factors can also increase the risk of developing emphysema.
Smoking, historical respiratory infections, air pollutants, and genetic alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency are all causes of emphysema. Among these, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is a hereditary condition that can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and severe emphysema symptoms at any age.
The Respiratory Valve is a parachute-like device placed in the target airway of the lung during a short-distance bronchoscopy. Once in place, the respiratory valve redirects air from the diseased areas of the lung to healthier areas, allowing healthier lung tissue to expand and function more effectively. With the potential reduction in lung capacity, patients may find it easier to breathe and experience an improved quality of life.
Clinical Effects of the Product:
1.Improvement in Lung Function: FEV1 improved significantly by 12.1%.
2.Reduction in Shortness of Breath: Shortness of breath (dyspnea) decreased by 29.6%. This was determined by the mMRC score, which is a tool for assessing the severity of dyspnea.
3.Better Quality of Life: SGRQ* score decreased by 9.5 points. The St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score is used to measure the health status (quality of life) of patients with obstructive airway diseases. A negative change in SGRQ represents an improvement in disease-specific health status. A reduction of 4 points is considered clinically significant.
Preparations Required Before Undergoing Respiratory Valve System Surgery:
① Medical History / Physical Examination: This is the starting point for patient assessment, including understanding why they are seeking medical care and evaluating their current health status.
② Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT): These non-invasive tests show how well the lungs are functioning.
③ Chest X-ray: A chest image showing your heart, lungs, airways, blood vessels, and lymph nodes.
④CT Scan: A computed tomography scan is used to take images of a specific part of the body to help diagnose diseases and formulate treatment plans.
⑤6-Minute Walk Test: Measures the distance a person can walk in a total of 6 minutes.
⑥ Arterial Blood Gas (ABG): Measures the acidity (pH) of arterial blood as well as the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
⑦ Complete Cardiac Examination: A medical examination to help doctors diagnose patients suspected of having potential cardiac complications.
3. Conclusion:
Globally, the number of emphysema patients is approximately 210 million, with nearly 3 million deaths annually due to this disease.
The implantation of respiratory valves has become an effective surgical intervention for treating emphysema. In addition to Spiration, Pulmonx‘s Zephyr valve also serves the same clinical purpose.
The acquisition of Spiration by Olympus strengthens its respiratory treatment module. Overall, the motivation behind this acquisition is twofold: the clinical demand for emphysema treatment and the development of the respiratory endoscopy business. Many domestic endoscopy companies also adopt an acquisition model to supplement their therapeutic device business, such as KaiLi Medical acquiring Shanghai Wilson and Aohua Endoscopy acquiring Hangzhou Jingrui.
For peers in the industry, there are lessons to be learned from Olympus’s acquisition strategy: clinical demand and the development of their own business.