Olympus Releases Pro Hemostasis Clip in U.S.

Olympus has released the QuickClip Pro hemostasis clip in the United States following U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance. The device is indicated for use during GI endoscopies for stopping bleeding and for closing various defects.

The QuickClip Pro features both rotational control as well as the ability to close and open the grippers, allowing for correct placement in tight quarters and repositioning as necessary. The device is designed for use with Olympus endoscopes and its unique sheath and clips help avoid channel damage during delivery.

Unlike prior generation clip fixing devices, the QuickClip Pro combines rotational control to ensure precise placement along with the addition of open and close capabilities for easy repositioning. The importance of the rotation ability is due to the fact that clips often do not come out of the scope in the right orientation, making it challenging to manipulate the clip to the correct angle that would successfully stop a bleed or close a defect, company bigwigs noted.

“I have found the QuickClip Pro to be superior in some features to the other clips on the market,” said Norio Fukami, M.D., associate professor of Medicine at the University of Colorado. “In a retroflexed scope position, it can be inserted and rotated smoothly, and it is strong enough to close large defects. Tissue approximation appears smooth with less slipping. Because the clip functions well in various scope positions, it would be ideal for complex cases and accessing difficult areas.”

More than 22.5 million upper and lower outpatient GI endoscopy procedures are performed in the United States annually with approximately 527,000 clips placed during these procedures. Endoscopic clipping represents the fastest growing market for GI endoscopy hemostasis with an annual sales volume of $75.3 million expected in 2014.

Endoscopic clipping is considered to be one of the simplest and most reliable hemostatic techniques and works by mechanically binding blood vessels to minimizing the risk of re-bleeding and damage to the surrounding tissue while providing instant visual feedback to confirm placement. In addition to hemostasis for mucosal/submucosal defects, bleeding ulcers, arteries, polyps and diverticula in the colon, hemostatic clips can also be used for endoscopic marking and as a supplementary method for closure of some GI tract luminal perforations.

To advance hemostatic technique, the Olympus QuickClip Pro offers the same innovations found on prior generation Olympus clips as well as new advances designed to save procedure time, reduce costs and improve outcomes, executives claim. Some of the new device’s features include:

• Predictable clip performance, even in a fully angulated scope, to ensure procedural efficiency.
• A sheath and clip design that minimizes the potential for channel damage, helping reduce repair-related expenditures.
• Clip materials that are stronger than stainless steel and tested to remain in place for 14 days for improved procedural outcomes.

“Olympus is committed to maximizing the efficacy of mechanical hemostasis in GI endoscopy,” said Rick Harbuck, group vice president of the Endoscopy Division at Olympus America Inc. “By  delivering more precise control and placement, QuickClip Pro clips can help facilities meet the requirements of healthcare reform aimed at improving quality of care, decreasing costs and enhancing patient satisfaction.”