Gently Does it - Safe and Gentle Stone Retrieval

HAMBURG, Germany, March 17, 2011 - Around 5-10% of adults in Central and Western Europe suffer
from kidney and ureteral stone disease. These solid formations occur when
substances that normally dissolve in the urine are separated out and
deposited as fine crystals in those organs. Such stones can be found in the
renal calyces, renal pelvis and lower urinary tract (ureter, bladder,
urethra).

About 80% of all kidney stones pass out of the body with the
urine. In the remaining 20%, medical assistance is required for removal. Men
are affected twice often as women.

Formerly, the treatment of kidney and ureteral stones was
performed mostly by ESWL in the last 15 years.

Due to immense improvements of the equipment for and training
in ureteroscopy this is currently the therapeutic procedure carried out more
and more often. Ureteroscopy is a minimal invasive intervention by which a
flexible endoscope is passed through the urethra into the ureter to capture
stones and/or stone fragments.

With its complete portfolio and its innovative Sur-Catch NT
retrieval basket, Olympus provides a specially developed, gentle and fast
treatment for kidney and ureteral stone removal.

Thanks to its tipless design with rounded wires, the basket is
extremely soft and smooth to prevent bleeding and injury to the tissue. The
Nitinol material gives the basket the additional advantage of the ultimate
flexibility to move easily and safely toward to the stone - even in patients
with difficult anatomy. Nitinol is a nickel and titan shape memory alloy and
possesses properties like biocompatibility and high flexibility. Even when
changing its shape, Nitinol can remember its previous form and change back.

Because the stones can be completely removed in just a single
session in almost all cases, the procedure is highly effective.

The additional portfolio supplied by Olympus enable surgeons
to render accurate and exact diagnoses while accomplishing a fast, safe and
effective intervention:

- the flexible endoscope (ureteroscope) produces crystal clear
and 3-times larger images, allowing visibility directly onto the stone and
its location.

- The new NBI function enables a better diagnosis of
suspicious structures and simulates a 3D view of the mucosa.

- Access Sheath and Nitinol Guidewire permit rapid and nearly
pain-free access to the ureter or kidney.

In summary:

Since this minimally invasive procedure is performed with a
Nitinol basket, stone removal is feasible in one single invasion and recovery
of the patient is very fast, due to the reduced procedure time.

For questions or further information, please contact:

    TBWA+ Healthcare Communication
    Hamburg, Germany
    Dr. Kerstin Brandt
    Phone: +49(0)40-36907-455
    kerstin.brandt@tbwa.de

    Olympus Europa Holding GmbH
    Hamburg, Germany
    Stefanie Thiele Phone:
    +49(0)40-23773-5746
    stefanie.thiele@olympus-europa.com

For questions or further information, please contact: TBWA+ Healthcare Communication, Hamburg, Germany , Dr. Kerstin Brandt, Phone: +49(0)40-36907-455, kerstin.brandt at tbwa.de; Olympus Europa Holding GmbH, Hamburg, Germany, Stefanie Thiele Phone: +49(0)40-23773-5746, stefanie.thiele at olympus-europa.com