Olympus Medical Systems

in collaboration with Medinol announces the release

of the X-Suit NIR®,

biliary metallic stent featuring exceptional anatomic conformability to Europe ,

the U.S. and parts of Asia.

—Expanding the business of EndoTherapy devices through the metallic stent market—

Olympus Medical Systems Corp. (President: Haruhito Morishima) in collaboration with Medinol Ltd. (Tel Aviv, Israel, CEO: Judith Richter) announces the release of the X-Suit NIR® , biliary metallic stent*1 . Featuring exceptional anatomic conformability, this device will launch in Europe and the parts of Asia on March 27th 2009 followed by the U.S. on April 24th 2009. The product will be launched in Japan and other territories around the world after obtaining marketing approval from the regulatory authorities.

Olympus, as a leading company of gastrointestinal endoscopes, has commercialized a variety of duodenal endoscopes and therapeutic devices for the pancreatic biliary tract to support the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic biliary diseases and to meet the needs of users. Olympus will continue to enhance its range of metallic stents and expand the business by offering comprehensive value in EndoTherapy devices.

*1
Metallic stent:A medical device made of a metallic mesh tube that is placed for dilating a stenosis within a vessel of the human body (i.e., blood vessel, bile duct, esophagus, trachea, and so on)
Main features Unique cell geometry, called NIRflexTM Cell Design, using a shape-memory alloy Superior radial support and high flexibility Outstanding insertion and stable deployment performance of stent delivery catheter Haruhito Morishima, President, Olympus Medical Systems Corporation.

"I am pleased to announce that we will soon be launching a new metallic stent which is an essential component of endoscopic treatment for biliary duct lesions. This product is the fruit of years of groundwork in collaboration with an Israeli company, Medinol. The product offers both excellent radial force and flexibility, which are crucial requirements for the stents. We can confidently recommend this high-quality stent system to our customers."

Technique for deploying a biliary metallic stent

1. Advance the delivery catheter over a guidewire through the working channel of the duodenoscope and into the papilla. Use fluoroscopic and endoscopic visualization to place the stent across the stenotic area.