It's widely known that physicians are extremely loyal to particular scopes manufactured by particular OEMs, often the equipment that they were first trained on.

The endoscope usually has several channels containing a light source, a lens and camera, and such channels as necessary to perform a wide variety of procedures.


Endoscopes run the gamut in size, are characterized as being minimally invasive and, in addition to being a primary diagnostic tool, sometimes are used as an alternative to surgery. Various scopes are used to perform biopsies, repair sports-related injuries and remove polyps and other growths.

Though not a primary application, endoscopes are also used in a few non-medical situations including architecture, law enforcement (e.g., inspecting suspicious packages) and the analysis of complex, nanotechnology-based systems.

The OEM Picture

The leading endoscopic equipment manufacturer, Olympus, has certainly lived up to its name, as today it looks down on the rest of the field from its "king of the mountain" status. Though estimates vary, the company is thought to have at least a 75% share of the market. Other players in the discipline include: Pentax, Fujinon, Storz, ACMI,Wolf and Stryker.

Although lengthy FDA reviews often discourage newcomers from entering the market, such companies as Vision Sciences, for example, are looking to expand their presence by bringing technological advances to the fray. Even so, new innovations often take several years before approval and introduction to the market.

According to Philip Mothena of Simple Solutions, Inc., Blacksburg, VA, "Olympus seems to have a greater market share in flexible endoscopy," indicating the company's brand name recognition is especially strong.

Adds Dan Spivey of Tampa-based Front Line Medical Corp., "Olympus dominates the world market. They are the Mercedes-Benz of endoscopes in that nearly every part can be removed and replaced with a new part, rendering even an older model scope as new." Spivey does, however, have issues with the company's pricing and level of post sales service.

As is the case with other pieces of medical equipment, the introduction of lower-cost devices from manufacturers in other countries poses both performance and competitive threats. This problem is especially prevalent in countries where the healthcare system is not as advanced nor as well funded as in the U.S. or Europe.

Vasant Sohoni of Vasant Sohoni & Associates, which does business in Mumbai, says, "There are too many brands, many of them newcomers from low-cost producers like China, which are fragmenting the market." In addition to the fragmentation, however, looms the prospect of inferior diagnosis and therapy from similarly poor equipment.

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