Fujifilm, EndoSim Partner for Advanced Endoscopy Training

Fujifilm Healthcare Americas has begun a partnership with EndoSim, a company specializing in evidence-based endoscopic simulation.

The partnership aims to expand access to EndoGel, a training model that simulates human tissue so endoscopists can practice submucosal dissection (ESD) and peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) procedures. Fujifilm will transfer its exclusive U.S. distribution of EndoGel to EndoSim, as well.

Fujifilm said it began this collaboration because of a training gap for ESD and POEM procedures in the U.S. The minimally invasive endoscopic surgical procedure, the company said, is more widely used in Asian healthcare markets. Further, the gap arose from lack of practice material to train on complex procedure methods and led Fujifilm to bring EndoGel to the U.S. in 2022.

EndoGel simulates the texture of human tissue involved in ESD and POEM procedures. Endoscopy professionals can use it to practice marking and injecting, perform circumferential incisions, and perform submucosal dissection, myotomy, and clipping.

“As part of Fujifilm’s commitment to endoscopy innovation, we are dedicated to bridging the educational divide in advanced procedures in the United States,” said Tai Fujita, general manager of endoscopy, Fujifilm Healthcare Americas Corporation. “By partnering with EndoSim to expand distributorship of EndoGel, together we are not just filling a training gap; we are setting new standards for education in endoscopic procedures that ultimately lead to better patient care.”

“Endosim is excited to partner with Fujifilm on the distribution of EndoGel in the United States. We appreciate the synergistic partnership with Fujifilm to improve access to endoscopic training,” added Kai Matthes, MD, Ph.D., founder and CEO of EndoSim. “We believe that EndoGel will be a valuable addition to our products and services in interventional endoscopy simulation. The ease of use of EndoGel will provide seamless access to practice novel, third space endoscopic procedures in the clinical setting when access to a hands-on lab is not available. EndoGel can be used in the endoscopy unit without the requirement to have dedicated endoscopic equipment for procedural training.”

In November 2024, Fujifilm launched the Version 10 (v10) suite of innovations for ECHELON Synergy 1.5T MRI system, which deploys cutting-edge technologies such as Synergy DLR Clear, Synergy Vision with StillShot, and automated scanning process enhancements.