September 2010 | Ovesco exhibits at EURO-NOTES 2010 in Rome, Italy, September 9 - 11, 2010

Ovesco Endoscopy AG presents its OTSC® system at EURO-NOTES 2010, the 4th Joint European NOTES Workshop being held in Rome under the presidency of Prof. Guido Costamagna. Please visit our booth.

For further information, see
www.euro-notes.org

September 2010 | Ovesco publishes second OTSC® update on research with its OTSC® clip

Ovesco is glad to publish the second update on more research conducted with the OTSC® clip. The new comprehensive newsletter is now available for download:

OTSC® update | research & clinical trials

August 2010 | Ovesco Endoscopy AG welcomes new partners in South Africa and China

Ovesco is happy to announce that we have signed up with Scientech Beijing Co. Ltd. and First Medical Company to market and distribute Ovesco's products in China and Southafrica.
"We would like to give a warm welcome to our great new partners. Patients in both countries will certainly benefit from the introduction of our products", said Thomas Gottwald of the executive board of Ovesco.

While Ovesco products are still in the process of registration with SFDA in China, they will be available within the next few weeks in South Africa.

See "Contact us"

August 2010 | Roberto Zepeda and Ovesco Endoscopy AG enter into contractual relationship on the distribution of OTSC® products in Chile

Ovesco is pleased about contractual relationship with its first distribution partner on the South American market: Roberto Zepeda is a leading distributor of medical products and is appointed by Ovesco for the distribution of the OTSC® system in Chile.

See "Contact us"

August 2010 | UpViser Oy and Ovesco Endoscopy AG sign contract for the distribution of OTSC® products in Finland

Ovesco and UpViser Oy, Vantaa, have signed a contract for the exclusive distribution of OTSC® products in Finland and are looking forward to a successful cooperation.

See "Contact us"

August 2010 | Ovesco Endoscopy receives funding within the German National Program on Technology Innovation (ZIM-Programm)

Ovesco has been awarded a grant for developing innovative new endoscopic devices on the basis of its signature OTSC technology. This includes devices for endoscopic full-thickness resection of lesions and for proctology indications. The grant is part of the German National Program on funding innovation in small and medium enterprises of the Federal Ministry of Economy and Technology (Zentrales Innovationsprogramm Mittelstand – ZIM des Bundesministeriums für Wirtschaft und Technologie).

August 2010 | State-of-the-art report by J Hochberger et al. on techniques for ESD refers to OTSC clip

The leading German speaking endoscopy journal “Endoskopie heute”, Official Journal of the German Society for Endoscopy (DGE-BV), reports about the OTSC clip. Juergen Hochberger, MD, PhD, Hildesheim, Germany and coauthors describe the state-of-the-art in technical aspects and equipment for Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD). Perforations of the esophageal, gastric or colonic wall are not rare in ESD and happen in 6 – 8 percent of the cases, according to clinical experience. For the immediate closure of perforations the OTSC clip is a promising solution, the authors state.

Technische Aspekte bei der endoskopischen Submukosa-Dissektion (ESD)
Technical Aspects at the Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD)
Hochberger J, Dammer S, Menke D, Kruse E, Köhler P, Bürrig KF
Endoskopie heute 2010; 23: 24–33

August 2010 | Feasibility of endoscopic full-thickness resection using the OTSC system

In the June issue of the journal Gastro-intestinal Endoscopy D. von Renteln, MD and colleagues report about an experimental feasibility trial on full-thickness resection of the colon. They compared different modalities of applying the Ovesco OTSC clip in conjunction with full-thickness resection of the colonic wall, using the grasp-and-snare technique. Depending on application modalities burst pressure tightness of 76.6 mm Hg (range 35–120; SD, 31) was reached, demonstrating the possibility of secure wall closure after full- thickness resection (FTR).

Endoscopic full-thickness resection and defect closure in the colon
von Renteln D, Schmidt A, Vassiliou MC, Rudolph HU, Caca K
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2010 Jun; 71(7):1267-73

July 2010 | State Secretary of Health Annette Widmann-Mauz, MdB, visits Ovesco to learn more about the OTSC system and pipeline

Tuebingen, Germany, July 16th 2010. Annette Widmann-Mauz, MdB, State Secretary in the German Federal Ministry of Health, visits Ovesco Endoscopy AG to become acquainted with Ovesco's OTSC system, its innovative pipeline and the development of the company.

During the visit, Prof. Dr. Marc O. Schurr and Prof. Dr. Thomas Gottwald of the executive board, demonstrated the latest research results and products in the field of wall closure, and diagnosis and treatment of bleeding in the GI tract. Widmann-Mauz expressed her upmost interest in ovesco and pledged her full support in the months and years to come.

The newspaper Reutlinger Generalanzeiger reported in its issue of July 21st 2010

Photo of State Secretary of Health Annette Widmann-Mauz during her visit at Ovesco's headquarters (© Christoph Ströhle)

July 2010 | Successful management of GI perforations with the Ovesco OTSC clip

A multicentric study performed at 2 Italian endoscopy centers (General Hospital, San Remo and Humanitas Hospital, Milan) has investigated the use of the OTSC clip for closure in 10 patients. Indications for digestive organ wall closure included acute perforations, fistula and anastomotic leakage. The location of the leak was gastric (n=2), duodenal (n=2) and colonic (n=6). The leak diameter ranged from 7 to 20 mm.

After closure with the OTSC clip, patients received follow-up endoscopy 3 months after the intervention. The technical success was 8 out of 10 cases. None of the cases with initial technical success required additional treatment.

The authors of the study conclude that the OTSC system is a useful device for the management of larger GI leaks in a variety of clinical indications.

Endoscopic management of GI perforations with a new over-the-scope clip device
Parodi A, Repici A, Pedroni A, Blanchi S,
Conio M
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2010 (in press)

July 2010 | Ovesco Endoscopy AG incorporates United States subsidiary

The new US operation of Ovesco USA will make the OTSC® system and other Ovesco products available to gastroenterologists, flexible endoscopists and surgeons in the United States.

Geoffrey Yates, President of Ovesco Endoscopy USA said: “It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to join such an innovative company as Ovesco Endoscopy AG.  We will strive to develop and provide physicians with innovations and solutions to a variety of procedural indications in endoscopy.  Additionally, a cornerstone of our strategy is our commitment to offer our customers superior clinical training and support.

“We are very excited about this opportunity,” stated Marc Schurr, Member of the Executive Board of Ovesco Endoscopy and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ovesco Endoscopy USA. “The entry into the US market has been a strategic goal for us and we are delighted about having attracted Geoffrey Yates to manage our US business.”

Press release | Ovesco Endoscopy USA

July 2010 | OTSC system presented for use in hemostasis and closure in ESD complications at Austrian ESD Expert Training

The Ovesco OTSC system is, among other indications, successfully used in treating complications after endoscopic submucosal dissection / ESD.

An international faculty teaches the use of the OTSC system at the 2nd ESD Expert Training Workshop in Salzburg, Austria,
July 7-9 2010.

Course directors are
Prof. H. Messmann, Augsburg, Germany, and Prof. T. Ponchon, Lyon, France.

For further information:
2nd Workshop on ESD Expert Training

June 2010 | OTSC system successfully presented at 19th International Course on Therapeutic Endoscopy at São Paulo University Medical School, June 28-29, 2010

During the 19th International Course on Therapeutic Endoscopy at São Paulo University Medical School, held under the presidency of Prof. Paulo Sakai, MD, the OTSC system was used by Prof. Dr. Juergen Pohl from Wiesbaden, Germany, to perform the closure of a gastric fistula. The procedure was transmitted via satellite in real time to 14 countries of Latin America. This was the first time the OTSC system was presented in Latin America.

June 2010 | Ovesco products featured and successfully tested at this year’s Advanced Course in Interventional GI Endoscopy Techniques at the IRCAD institute, Strasbourg, June 28-29, 2010

A world class faculty of specialists in the field of interventional endoscopy gathered in Strasbourg earlier in June. In hands-on sessions in a porcine model the faculty and attending physicians and surgeons from Europe and overseas tested the OTSC system mainly in perforations of stomach and colon. The feed back was very positive: e.g. “Wonderful device!” (Prof. N.Yahagi, Japan, member of the faculty). Other first-time users among the attendees  found the system easy to use, intuitive, and very efficient and expressed their willing to use the device from now on.

June 2010 | Successful OTSC closure of esophago-bronchial fistula reported at national gastroenterology congress in Portugal

Dr. P. Moutinho-Ribeiro and colleagues, Centro Hospitalar do Alto Ave – Guimarães, Portugal, report about the successful closure of a 15-mm esophago-bronchial fistula in an esophageal cancer patient following chemoradiation therapy.

By using the OTSC Anchor to pull the fistula orifice to the tip of the OTSC cap and application of an OTSC clip, the fistula was successfully closed. Supplementary stent placement was done to secure the result. The case was presented at XXXth National Congress of the Portugese Society of Gastroenterology in Vilamoura, June 9-12, 2010.

June 2010 | Ovesco presents at EndoSwiss 2010-Live, International Course on Interventional Endoscopy in Zurich, Switzerland, June 26, 2010

A world class faculty of specialists in the field of flexible endoscopy discusses the impact of new technologies on the treatment of diseases of the GI-tract. Live demos elucidate the practical aspects and implications.

The programme includes the following session:

How I treat a perforation
J. Bergman & T. Gotoda & N. Yahagi
Ovesco clip and hemostatic spray –
new promising endoscopic tools? N.N.
Case discussions
State of the Art:
EMR , ESD or surgery? – Where is the bottom line? Practical approach for a non-Japanese endoscopist
Nib Soehendra

Please visit our booth as well.

For further information, see
www.endoswiss.ch

June 2010 | Tuebingen University reports experience in 60 consecutive patients treated with OTSC

Bruchsal, Germany, June 11, 2010. At the XXI Congress of the Southwest German Society of Gastroenterology Thomas Kratt, MD, Surgical Endoscopy, Tuebingen University Hospital, Germany, reported about a case series of 60 patients treated with OTSC for various indications. 37 patients were treated for stopping gastrointestinal hemorrhage, 11 for closure of perforation, 8 for closure of fistulae and 4 for the marking of lesions. In all 60 cases technical success, defined as ability to place the OTSC at the desired location, was achieved. In the 37 cases of GI bleeding 2 relapse bleedings were seen. In all 11 cases of GI perforation therapeutic success, defined as absence of failure/recurrence was achieved. In the 8 fistula patients 3 recurrences were found.
The authors conclude that based on their experience OTSC is best applied in the following indications:

Emergency:
• Severe peptic ulcer bleeding
• Iatrogenic perforations
• (Spontaneous perforations)
• Hemorrhoidal post-surgical hemorrhage

Elective:
• Anastomotic failure
• Fistula
• Anastomotic correction
• NOTES

Das Over-The-Scope-Clip System (OTSC): Erfahrungen in der klinischen Anwendung bei 60 Patienten
Kratt T, Stüker D, Küper M, v. Feilitzsch M, Königsrainer A, Kirschniak A

There were two more reports on successful application of Ovesco's OTSC system:

Ulkus-Arrosionsblutung der A. gastroduodenalis – Vermeidung des Notfalleingriffs durch ein neuartiges Clip-System – zwei Fallberichte
Kratt T, Stüker D, Brücher B, Heininger A, Miller S, Königsrainer A

Aus dem Labor in die Klinik:
Die transgastrisch-flexible NOTES-Laparoskopie.
Kratt T, Kramer M, v. Feilitzsch M, Strese C, Küper M, Schenk M, Greiner T, Lange J, Kirschniak A, Minkley L, Schröppel K, v. Weyhern CH, Königsrainer A

June 2010 | Ovesco exhibits at the XXIst Congress of the Southwest German Society of Gastroenterology in Bruchsal, Germany, from June 11-12, 2010

For further information, see
www.sw-gastro.de

June 2010 | Ovesco’s OTSC Anchor for supporting gastric mucosal resection

Endoscopic mucosal resection using a grasp-and-snare technique
von Renteln D, Schmidt A, Vassiliou MC, Rudolph HU, Caca K
Endoscopy 2010 Jun;42(6):475-80

June 2010 | Clinical NOTES experience with OTSC presented at German
D-NOTES meeting in Mannheim

At the annual meeting of the German NOTES working group, D-NOTES, in Mannheim, Germany, June 3-5 2010, two research groups reported about their clinical experience with the OTSC clip for gastric closure:

The chairman of the meeting, PD Dr. Georg Kähler, Mannheim University Hospital, is using the OTSC clip for closure after transgastric appendectomy, Dr. Thomas Kratt, Tuebingen University Hospital for closure after transgastric diagnostic laparoscopy. Both centers have enrolled first patients into their respective studies. OTSC was shown to be effective and safe in closing gastrotomy after transgastric NOTES.

June 2010 | Ovesco Endoscopy receives innovation grant by the State Government of Baden-Württemberg

For the second time Ovesco Endoscopy has won an innovation grant by the Department of Commerce of the State of Baden-Württemberg.

Ovesco will use the grant for new product development in the field of derivatives of its OTSC product line.

May 2010 | Central Endoscopy Department (Zentrale Interdisziplinäre Endoskopie) of Mannheim University Hospital starts clinical trial on transgastric NOTES appendectomy

The Central Endoscopy Department at Mannheim University Hospital, Germany (Director: Georg Kähler, MD, PhD) has started enrolling patients into an investigator initiated trial on transgastric NOTES appendectomy. Ovesco's OTSC clip is used for closure of the gastric access site after completion of the procedure.

The Central Endoscopy Department in Mannheim is among the leading international institutions in interventional endoscopy and NOTES research and is hosting the
2010 D-NOTES meeting, June 3–5, Mannheim, Germany.

For further information on D-NOTES 2010, see
www.d-notes.umm.de

May 2010 | Study demonstrates that Ovesco's Traction Polypectomy Snare is 31% more efficient in tissue acquisition than conventional snares

Ovesco’s Traction Polypectomy Snare is a newly designed, serrated snare for endoscopic tissue acquisition procedures such as polypectomy, endoscopic mucosa resection (EMR) or similar techniques. Its specific design reduces slipping of the snare upon closure and loosing tissue intended for removal. At the same time the Traction Snare has excellent maneuverability and repositioning properties, making its handling simple and efficient.

A recent experimental trial by RL Prosst and FE Baur, Stuttgart, Germany has shown that the Traction Snare removes 31% more tissue than a conventional snare. Comparing the weight of colonic tissue removed with one snare deployment was 454 mg (SD 202) with the Traction Snare vs 347 mg (SD 165) with a conventional snare. This difference was statistically significant (p=0.017).

The authors conclude that the Traction Snare increases the effectiveness of snare resection by avoiding the accidental loss of entrapped tissue. In addition the achievable reduction of sample numbers during piecemeal resection may increase the precision of histo-pathological assessment.

A new serrated snare for improved tissue capture during endoscopic snare resection
Prosst RL, Baur FE
Minimally Invasive Therapy 2010; 19:100-4

May 2010 | OTSC Twin Grasper and OTSC Anchor cleared for clinical use in the USA

Ovesco's tissue management devices have been listed as medical devices in the United States. First clinical applications have started. The OTSC clip is not yet available for regular clinical use in the United States.

May 2010 | Ovesco Endoscopy's OTSC system at National Surgery Congress of Romania in Cluj, May 3–6, 2010

Ovesco's OTSC system is presented at the National Surgery Congress (NCS) on the Romanian Society of Surgery in Cluj, Romania.

Alberto Arezzo, MD, PhD, gave a hands-on course on NOTES with a focus on safe gastric closure by means of the OTSC clip. Further, his lecture on endoscopic handling of surgical complications, focussing on OTSC and Endosponge as novel technologies was very much appreciated.

May 2010 | DDW 2010 – OTSC for endoscopic closure of acute perforations of the gastrointestinal tract using the Over-the-Scope Clip: A prospective multicenter human trial (CLIPPER-trial)

In his presentation "Endoscopic closure of acute perforations of the gastrointestinal tract using the Over-the-Scope Clip: A prospective multicenter human trial (CLIPPER-trial)" at DDW 2010, New Orleans, May 4, Dr. Rogier Voermans, Dept. of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands, gave an update on intermediate results of this prospective multicenter cohort study conducted at 10 tertiary-care medical centers in Europe. The aim of the trial is to evaluate safety and reliability of the endoscopic closure of acute perforations of the human gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach, duodenum, colon) using Ovesco’s OTSC system.

The primary endpoint was successful closure, defined as macroscopic adequate closure and no leakage on water soluble contrast X-ray within 24 hours without additional interventions. He reported on 24 of 36 planned consecutive patients in the participating centers. Primary closure could be achieved in 22 of 24 patients. One patient suffered other complications before the clip could be applied, and one patient failed adequate placement of the clip. Only one patient of those 22 patients where the system could be administered suffered delayed leakage and had to be treated surgically. The trial is ongoing. Final results will be published as available.

May 2010 | DDW 2010 – OTSC for control of upper-GI bleeding

In his keynote presentation "New techniques to treat UGI bleeding" at DDW 2010, New Orleans, May 4, Dr. Gregory Haber, Lenox Hill Hospital New York City introduced novel approaches to stop hemorrhage. Amongst others he presented Ovesco's OTSC clip (nicknamed "Bear Claw").

DDW Daily News of Wednesday, May 5, cite: "The OTSC Bear Claw is a closure device that offers stronger clips than are delivered through the working channel of the flexible scope...". "This is a very important advance to us", Dr Haber said of the Bear Claw.
Source: DDW Daily News, Wednesday, May 5, 2010, the official newspaper of the Digestive Disease Week 2010.

May 2010 | Ovesco Endoscopy's
OTSC system at DDW in New Orleans: clinical paper presentations, hands-on workshop and industry exhibition

The OTSC system is presented at the Digestive Disease Week, DDW, New Orleans, May 1-5, 2010.
Besides scientific paper presentations about clinical experience and data by different authors, the ASGE Hands-On Workshop
"GI Emergencies: Sutures, Closures and Hemostasis" by Juergen Hochberger, MD PhD, will demonstrate the OTSC system in practical use.

For further information, see
www.ddw2010.com

Ovesco Endoscopy is exhibiting its OTSC system and ancillary instrumentation at
booth number 83.

The OTSC system is not cleared for clinical use by FDA in the United States.

April 2010 | OTSC system presented at the 2010 Shanghai International Symposium on Diagnostic and Therapeutic Progress & 3rd Sino-Japan Summit on ESD at the Shanghai University Hospital:

"Novel technique for the treatment of bleeding and tissue defects after endoscopical interventions in early cancer of the GI tract."

More than 600 prominent physicians and surgeons from both China and Japan followed this two-day symposium.
In a live demo a gastric tumor was removed endoscopically which left a 2-3 cm defect in the gastric wall. The closure of the gastric wall was performed with two OTSC clips. The patient was discharged the day after and presented without problems on follow-up.

April 2010 | Ovesco's OTSC system launched in Malaysia during the 2010 Kuala Lumpur Workshop on Diagnostic and Therapeutic Progress in Digestive Endoscopy at the Putrajaya Hospital

Numerous health care professionals follow this year's invitation to learn about the new Ovesco product. In addition to several state of the art lectures, a training course gives everybody the opportunity to acquire first-hand experience in an animal model.

April 2010 | Ovesco exhibits at the 127th Congress of the German Society of Surgery in Berlin from April 20−23, 2010

Ovesco Endoscopy AG presents its OTSC system at the traditional Congress of the German Society of Surgery being held in Berlin under the presidency of Prof. Dr. Reiner Gradinger.

Please visit our booth number 15E/12.

For further information, see
www.chirurgie2010.de

April 2010 | OTSC system referenced as best gastric closure system in latest review paper

A new review paper by Alberto Arezzo and Mario Morino, Torino, Italy, published in Surgical Endoscopy references Ovesco's OTSC system as safe and efficacious for gastric closure in NOTES.
Compared to other available closure technologies, such as other clips, T-tags or endocopic suture devices, OTSC is evaluated "very good" under the categories "simplicity", "security" and "effectiveness", leading to the highest overall score of all systems.

Endoscopic closure of gastric access in perspective NOTES: an update on techniques and technologies
Arezzo A, Morino M
Surgical Endoscopy 2010 24:2; 298-303
DOI: 10.1007/s00464-009-0593-1

April 2010 | Ovesco's OTSC presented at 12th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery hosted by SAGES & CAGS, Washington DC, USA, April 14-17, 2010

Ovesco Endoscopy exhibits its OTSC clipping system at the 12th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery, hosted by SAGES and CAGS, Washington DC, USA, April 14 – 17 2010.

Please visit us at booth 235.

The use of the OTSC system for digestive organ closure is demonstrated by Kai Matthes, MD, PhD, Boston, MA and available for
hands-on training at the 2010 SAGES Learning Center.
Course title: Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES™).
Hours of operation:
Thursday, April 15, 2010 | 10:00 am – 2:30 pm Friday, April 16, 2010 | 10:00 am – 2:30 pm Saturday, April 17, 2010 | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Note: The OTSC system is not cleared for clinical human use in the USA and Canada.

April 2010 | New publication on the use of OTSC in bariatric patients

Dr. Federico Iacopini published a case report on the use of OTSC to treat complications of gastric banding in the World Journal of Gastroenterology.

Ovesco's OTSC clip was used to close full thickness stomach erosions resulting from long-term gastric band implantation. Two patients were successfully treated.

Over-the-scope clip closure of two chronic fistulas after gastric band penetration
Federico Iacopini, Nicola Di Lorenzo, Fabrizio Altorio, Marc-Oliver Schurr, Agostino Scozzarro
World J Gastroenterol 2010 April 7; 16(13):1665-9

www.wjgnet.com

March 2010 | Ovesco publishes newsletter on research and clinical studies with its OTSC clip

Research conducted with the Ovesco OTSC clip has been compiled into a comprehensive newsletter which is available for download:

OTSC® update | research & clinical trials

March 2010 | Ovesco supports lunch symposium on OTSC clip and is sponsor of the 40th Congress of the German Society for Endoscopy (DGE-BV) in Hanover, March 11-13, 2010

The 40th Congress of the German Society
for Endoscopy (DGE-BV) is held in Hanover under the presidency of Prof. Dr. Jürgen Hochberger, Hildesheim.
Ovesco supports the lunch symposium on clinical indications and experiences with the OTSC clip on Friday, March 12, 2010,
13:00-14:00 h, Saal 1A.

Ovesco is also exhibitor and sponsor of the conference.

Please visit us at booth number 30.

For further information, see
www.dgebv.de (pdf)

March 2010 | Ovesco presents at the 8th World Congress on TRAUMA, SHOCK, INFLAMMATION AND SEPSIS – TSIS 2010 March 9 – 13, 2010, Munich, Germany: “Novel Technical Solutions for Prevention and Control of Surgical Complications” in the 2010 TSIS special conference on obesity and bariatric surgery.

The 8th TSIS congress is being held in Munich, Klinikum Grosshadern under the presidency of Prof. Dr. Eugen Faist. Ovesco is also exhibitor at the conference.

Please visit us at booth number 2.

For further information, see
www.tsis2010.org

March 2010 | Clinical experience with OTSC system in bariatric patients highlighted at FISMAD, Verona, Italy, March 6-9, 2010

At the FISMAD conference – Federazione Italiana Società Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente – several Italian endoscopists presented their clinical experience with Ovesco' OTSC system. Among others, Prof. Agostino Scozzarro showed his experience using OTSC in the treatment of bariatric surgery complications.
The product presentation by Ovesco's Italian distribution partner Euromedical S.r.l. received significant attention.

For further information, see
www.fismad2010.org (pdf)

www.euromedicalonline.it

March 2010 | Tuebingen University starts clinical NOTES trial on diagnostic laparoscopy. Successful closure of gastric NOTES access

The first patient was recruited in the Transgastric NOTES Laparoscopy Trial. Through an incision in the anterior gastric wall which was dilated with a 15-mm balloon, the abdomen was explored and staging was performed in a patient suffering from an infrequent type of a lymphoma.
The closure was performed with an OTSC clip 12-6 gc. The gastrotomy was immediately gas tight. Postoperative follow-up was without any complications.

March 2010 | Italian gastroentero-logists report successful closure of tracheo-esophageal fistula using Ovesco's OTSC clips

In the recent issue of the journal Endoscopy, Dr. M. Traina and colleagues, Palermo, Italy, report about the closure of a chronic tracheo-esophageal fistula emerging in a patient after long-term ventilation.
The fistula was located 20 cm from the mouth. After closure with an OTSC clip the clinical condition of the patient improved and healing of the fistula was seen at follow-up endo-
scopy, 2 and 4 weeks later. No complications were reported.

New endoscopic over-the-scope clip system for closure of a chronic tracheo-esophageal fistula
M Traina, G Curcio, I Tarantino, S Soresi, L Barresi, P Vitulo, B Gridelli
IsMeTT, UPMC, Palermo, Italy
Endoscopy 2010; 42:E1-E2
[UCTN - Unusual cases and technical notes]

February 2010 | Ovesco and ANSr SDN BHD in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, sign contract for the exclusive distribution of Ovesco's OTSC products in Malaysia and Singapore

ANSr SDN BHD in Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia, and Ovesco, have signed a contract for the exclusive distribution of Ovesco's OTSC products in Malaysia and Singapore.

See "Contact us"

February 2010 | Clinical users of OTSC device ("bear claw") cited in leading German press

The use of the OTSC clip was presented in general public German media.
The group of Prof. Dr. Michael Heike and
Dr. Martin Faendrich, Klinikum Dortmund, explain the advantages of OTSC as a full thickness GI closure device for the patient, notably on a clinical case in which a large polyp was removed from the bowel. Due to comorbidity the patient was no candidate for surgery. Thus ESD was the only feasible option for tumor removal.
However, due to the size of the lesion, bowel perforation had to be encountered. The perforation was however securely closed by means of an OTSC clip, nicknamed as "bear claw" by clinical users.

"Bärenklaue" im Magen
Ulrike Böhm-Heffels, Ruhrnachrichten,
14 January 2010

Heilende Schnitte ganz ohne Skalpell
Gerald Nill, Dortmunder Rundschau,
14 January 2010

February 2010 | Researchers report secure closure of duodenal perforations using the OTSC clip in a randomized controlled experimental trial.

In the recent issue of the journal Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Dr. Daniel von Renteln and colleagues report about a series of 24 animals (domestic pig) in which duodenal perforations had been intentionally created. All cases were randomized to undergo either surgical repair by hand sewing or endoscopic closure by means of the OTSC clip.
At necropsy, all OTSC and surgical closures demonstrated complete sealing of duodenotomy sites. Mean time for OTSC closure was 5 minutes (range, 3-8 min; SD 2). Leak testing under pressure demonstrated a mean burst pressure of 166 mm Hg (range 80-260; SD 65) for OTSC closures and 143 mm Hg (range 30-300, SD 83) for surgical sutures.

This shows that OTSC closure of duodenal full thickness wall lesions can result in higher pressure resistance than hand suturing, although the difference was not significant. There were no complications related to the OTSC clip reported.

Endoscopic closure of duodenal perforations by using an over-the-scope clip: a randomized, controlled porcine study.
D von Renteln, HU Rudolph, A Schmidt, MC Vassiliou, K Caca
Ludwigsburg and Heidelberg, Germany;
Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2010; 71:1; 131-8

February 2010 | Century Medical Inc., Tokyo, and Ovesco enter into a contractual relationship on the distribution of Ovesco’s OTSC products in Japan

Century Medical Inc., Tokyo, is contracted by Ovesco Endoscopy AG for the exclusive distribution of OTSC products in Japan.

See "Contact us"

February 2010 | Résumé to the 12th Düsseldorf International Endoscopy Symposium, 5-6 February 2010

This year’s 12. Internationales Endoskopie Symposium again enjoyed an impressive acceptance by a national and international audience as well as an excellent faculty of some of the finest experts in the field.
Prof. Dr. Stefan Seewald from Zürich in his oral presentation (“Neue Produkte zur endoskopischen Therapie von Perforationen und Fisteln/New devices for endoscopic treatment of perforations and fistulas”) very much focussed on the OTSC system. It was basically cited to be the answer to many problems in GI endoscopy. This was followed by a lively discussion on challenging indications for the system like esophago-tracheal fistulas.

Ovesco’s booth again was able to attract a huge crowd. The feedback on the OTSC system plus the accessories including the latest product “traction snare” was overwhelming.

February 2010 | Ovesco attends
the 12th Düsseldorf International Endoscopy Symposium,
5-6 February 2010

Ovesco exhibits at the 12th International Symposium: Diagnostic and therapeutic Endoscopy in Duesseldorf, Germany.

With regard to Ovesco’s OTSC system a number of presentations and live demon-strations might be of interest for you, e.g.:

Friday, 5 February 2010
1st MINI SYMPOSIUM  
Nonpolypoid colorectal lesions

M. Bourke, Sydney
Wie können Effizienz und Sicherheit der endoskopischen Resektion verbessert werden?
How to improve efficiency and safety of endoscopic resection?

P Fockens, SA Giday, RH Hawes, S Seewald
NOTES: Bedeutung für die Gastroenterologie
NOTES: Relevancy for gastroenterology

Saturday, 5 February 2010 
3rd MINI-SYMPOSIUM 
Prevention and therapy of early-stage  neoplasms in the upper GIT: Open questions

R Rösch, Hamburg
Submukosale Tumoren: „wait and see“, EUS-FNA oder Resektion?
Submucosal tumours: „wait and see“,  EUS-FNA or resection?

Saturday, 5 February 2010
4th MINI SYMPOSIUM 
New technologies

S Seewald, Zurich
Neue Produkte zur endoskopischen Therapie von Perforationen und Fisteln
New devices for endoscopic treatment of perforations and fistulas.

CONGRESS LOCATION
Maritim Hotel Düsseldorf | Airport City
Maritim-Platz 1
40474 Düsseldorf, Germany
Internet: www.maritim.de

Please visit us at booth number 32.

January 2010 | Ovesco is sponsor at industry exhibition and is invited to participate in special workshop and live demonstrations during symposium at Jena University, 22–23 January 2010

Ovesco Endoscopy AG exhibits at the "Jenaer Gastroenterologie Tage" and is invited to participate in a workshop focussing on endoscopic haemostasis. Further, the application of Ovesco's OTSC system is shown in live demonstrations from the Interdisciplinary Endoscopy Department.

January 2010 | Korean endoscopists make reference to the OTSC clip as a device in ESD for gastric cancer

Prof. Won Young Cho et al. from the Dept. of Gastroenterology (Director: Prof. Ju Young Cho) at the College of Medicine, Sooncheonhyang University, Korea, refer to the OTSC clip as an endoscopic device for treating postinterventional bleeding or organ wall lesions in the chapter on Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD) of the recently published book "Endoscopic Treatment of Gastric Cancer". Prof. Won Young Cho and his colleagues are leading users of Ovesco's OTSC in South Korea.

Endoscopic Treatment of Gastric Cancer
Won Young Cho, Tae Hee Lee, Yoon Seon Park, Ju Young Cho
Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection (ESD),
pp 16-52;
Jin Publishing Co. Ltd. Seoul, Korea, 2009
ISBN 978-89-90698-48-3

January 2010 | OTSC system shown to be efficient for gastrotomy closure in a survival experimental model of varicocelectomy

C. Rolanda et al., Braga, Portugal, report about new experimental data on OTSC for gastric closure following transgastric testicular vessel ligation (varicocelectomy model).

Bilateral testicular vessel ligation was achieved through a transgastric access. The gastrotomy was closed with the largest version of OTSC system (12 mm). The gastrotomy size was up to 18 mm. The use of 2 OTSC clips showed better results than 1 clip in this large gastrotomy model, although the difference between 1 and 2 clips was statistically not significant.

See full paper:
In vivo assessment of gastrotomy closure with over-the-scope clips in an experimental model for varico-celectomy (with video)

Rolanda C, Lima E, Silva D, Moreira I, Pêgo JM, Macedo G, Correia-Pinto J.
Gastrointestinal Endoscopy 2009. 70:6;
1137-45

December 2009 | OTSC presented for esophageal closure in experimental live demo at the 33rd Annual New York Course, jointly sponsored by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the New York Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 16-19 Dec. 2009

Prof. Dr. Juergen Hochberger, Hildesheim, Germany, showed the use of the Ovesco OTSC system at the 33rd Annual New York Course.

In an experimental laboratory demo, transmitted live from Lenox Hill Hospital, he closed a 8-10 mm full thickness esophageal perforation successfully by means of one OTSC clip.

December 2009 | Ovesco launches Traction Polypectomy Snare at endo-update 2009, 11 Dec. 2009 in Augsburg, Germany

In addition to the OTSC system which is specially announced in the program as one of the novelties to be demonstrated, Ovesco will for the first time present the new Traction Polypectomy Snare destined to improve grasping of polyps.

Click here to see more about the
Traction Polypectomy Snare.

Venue:
Kongresshalle Augsburg (not Messezentrum, as previously announced)
Gögginger Straße 10
86159 Augsburg

Please visit our booth in the Foyer of the Augsburg Convention Center.

December 2009 | Ovesco attends the 8th Gastro Forum München which highlights interdisciplinary gastroenterological and surgical standards. 4 and 5 Dec. 2009, Munich, Germany

Ovesco exhibits at the 8th Gastro Forum München, traditionally held on the first weekend in December. This event offers one and a half days of live demos from endoscopic and surgical departments, hands-on courses as well as presentations and interactive discussions.

Venue:
Auditorium Maximum Werner von Siemens
TU München
Arcisstraße 21
80333 München

Please visit us at booth number 17.

November 2009 | Ovesco Endoscopy AG exihibits at Gastro 2009, UEGW/WCOG, the jointly organised landmark meeting of UEGF, WGO, OMED and BSG, London, November 21-25, 2009

Ovesco attends Gastro 2009, UEGW/WCOG and displays its OTSC product line at the industrial exhibition.
Please visit us at booth number 5.

Moreover, OTSC is focussed in a poster and in an oral presentation:
OVER-THE-SCOPE-CLIP (OTSC) CLOSURE OF TWO CHRONIC FISTULAS AFTER GASTRIC BAND PENETRATION is the title of a poster presentation of F. Iacopini et al. A 45-year-old woman presented with a band erosion and penetration through two large tears at the posterior wall of the gastric fundus. A sub-phrenic abscess was demonstrated by computed tomography (CT-scan). Surgery was performed but external drainage of enteric material persisted for 2 weeks. Both fistulas were successfully closed with OTSCs (one in combination with a fully-covered esophageal SEMS) and remained successfully closed. Both OTSCs were spontaneously lost after 4 weeks. The authors conclude that if prospective large comparative studies with fully-covered stents and OTSC will confirm this initial observation, the OTSC may be the least invasive, easiest, and safest endoscopic method to close chronic small fistulas or leaks.

In an oral presentation D. v. Renteln et al. will report data of a RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL COMPARING ENDOSCOPIC CLIP TECHNIQUES FOR NOTES GASTROTOMY CLOSURE. In 20 pigs an 18-mm gastrostomy was created using PEG technique and a wire guided 18-mm dilatation balloon. Animals were randomly assigned to gastrotomy closure using endoclips (n=10, Resolution clips, Boston Scientific) or over-the- scope- clips (n=10, OTSC, Ovesco). The specially designed tissue approximation grasper (Twin Grasper, Ovesco) was used to achieve optimal tissue approximation prior to placement of OTSCs for closure. Laparoscopic leak tests were carried out after each gastrotomy closure. Necropsies were performed 10-14 days post procedure. The authors conclude that NOTES gastrotomy closure using standard endoclips is associated with significant leaks and the risk of intra-abdominal infection whereas the OTSC system for endoscopic gastrotomy closure reduces the risk of leakage and intraabdominal infectious complications.

Ovesco will also take part in the Teaching Theatre ESGE/OMED Learning Area with daily practical hands-on demonstrations of the OTSC system for the endoscopic treatment of hemorrhage and closure of acute and chronic organ wall lesions (Mon 23 − Wed 25).

The venue is:
ESGE/OMED Training Theatre, Hall N 13

HANDS-ON TRAINING WITH EXPERTS

Modern Endoscopic Clip Treatment for Bleeding, Fistulae and Perforations

• Monday, Nov 23
9 −10 and 13−14 (Dr. D. von Renteln)
• Tuesday, Nov 24
9 −10 and 13−14 (Prof. Dr. M. Schurr,
Prof. Dr. T. Gottwald, Dr. D. von Renteln)
• Wednesday, Nov 25
9 −10 and 13−14 (Dr. D. von Renteln)

November 2009 | Randomized controlled trial demonstrates advantages of OTSC vs standard endoscopic clips in experimental gastrotomy closure

A new comparative study published by D. von Renteln et al. in the journal Endoscopy investigated closure safety after NOTES gastrotomy in the porcine model (n = 20) using either conventional endoclips or the Ovesco OTSC clip.
No leaks were observed after OTSC closure vs 3 minor and 1 major leak after endoclip closure. The time required for the gastrotomy closure procedure was 8.5 +/- 9.1 minutes with OTSC and 31.5 +/- 24.2 minutes with endoclips. After necropsy 2 animals in the endoclip group showed signs of peritonitis. 1 animal in that group had to be sacrificed before finishing the study due to severe peritonitis.
The authors conclude that standard endoclips have an increased risk of failure in the closure of NOTES gastrotomy.

Randomized controlled trial comparing endoscopic clips and over-the-scope clips for closure of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery gastrotomies

D von Renteln (1), MC Vassiliou (1,2), RI Rothstein (1).
(1) Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA
(2) Department of Surgery, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire, USA.
Endoscopy 2009. Published online ahead of print

November 2009 | Experimental study confirms pressure tightness of gastric closure with OTSC compared to the gold standard of hand-suturing

R. Voermans et al. published comparative data on gastric closure after NOTES in the ex vivo experimental model. Gastric closure with the OTSC clip was compared to gastric closure by hand-suturing, determined as the gold standard.
Surgical suturing demonstrated pressure tightness of the closure up to a mean leak pressure of 206 mm Hg (SD 59), (n = 15 samples). OTSC closure demonstrated tightness up to a mean pressure of 233 mmHg (SD 47), (11 samples). This was non-inferior to the gold standard (p = 0.003).
The authors conclude that closure of gastric incisions meeting predetermined pressure resistance criteria was attainable and easy with the OTSC system.

Novel over-the-scope-clip system for gastrotomy closure in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES): an ex vivo comparison study

RP Voermans (1,2), MI van Berge Henegouwen (2), WA Bemelman (2), Fockens P (1).
(1) Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
(2) Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Endoscopy 2009. Published online ahead of print.

November 2009 | Ovesco present at the EndoClubNord, 6-7 November 2009 in Hamburg, Germany

At this year’s EndoClubNord at the Congress Center Hamburg Ovesco’s OTSC (over the scope clip) system has been presented in a live demo: Prof. Dr. Thomas Rösch (Dept. and Clinic for Interdisciplinary Endoscopy, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg) endoscopically removed a submucosal tumor in the anterior wall of the stomach.
In a rendez-vous-procedure he was supported by a team of surgeons of the Dept. of Surgery (also UKE) via a single port access. The respective area of the stomach was marked and dissected full wal, first by ESD then by transmural endoscopic cutting of the muscular layer. The stomach was closed through the flexible endoscope with two OTSC gc clips, was reinflated thereafter and proved to be tight. The surgical team then closed the outer of the stomach intra-peritoneally with an endo-TEA- stapler.
Ovesco is currently testing full thickness resections of the GI tract with the approved OTSC system. Smaller lesions already have been closed through the endoscope alone. Yet, the company is currently developing an “all-in-one” system which will allow for safe resection and closure in one procedure. The device is planned for approval and launch later next year.
The new systems will enable healthcare professionals of both specialties to more aggressively diagnose and yet less invasively treat e.g. submucosal tumors of uncertain dignity.

November 2009 | Ovesco Global Sales Meeting 2009 confirms strong market interest in OTSC clip

Following the commercial launch of its OTSC system in a number of European markets in 2009 Ovesco Endoscopy AG ran the first Global Sales Meeting in Murnau, Germany, on October 29 and 30 2009.
Nineteen of Ovesco’s international distribution partners attended the meeting which also included a state of the art educational programme on clinical indications for OTSC clipping by clinical experts:
Prof. Dr. Alberto Arezzo, Torino, Italy, reported about 2 years of multicentric experience collected with OTSC in various flexible endoscopic procedures.
Dr. Alex Heylen, Hasselt, Belgium, reported about his personal experience with OTSC in the treatment of complications after bariatric surgery in a larger patient series.
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Hochberger, Hildesheim, Germany, gave an state of the art overview about the current trends in advanced flexible endoscopic interventions and the role of OTSC in this field. The rapid growth of OTSC adoptions rate in Germany and many international markets confirmed the strong clinical interest in OTSC as an advanced therapeutic device for flexible endoscopy.

October 2009 | Report about OTSC clip treatment of gastric band complications and hands-on OTSC course at the 21st SMIT Conference, 7-9 October 2009 in Sinaia, Romania

At the 21st Conference of the Society for Medical Innovation & Technology (SMIT) Ovesco’s OTSC clip is presented in various scientific sessions.

Dr. Agostino Scozzarro and colleagues, Rome, Italy, report about the successful closure of chronic fistula related to adjustable gastric band erosion, using OTSC clipping.

The use of OTSC in Natural Orifice Trans-luminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) is presented by Prof. Dr. Alberto Arezzo, Torino, Italy, within a hands-on workshop on basic techniques in NOTES. He also shows recent data on transgastric cholecystectomy and secure endoscopic closure of the stomach with the OTSC clip in a surviving porcine model.

Further, he reports about the use of OTSC for the treatment of postsurgical healing problems in bowel anastomosis. He recommends OTSC clipping for suitable cases in his overview presentation on closure of fistula and chronic pelvic abscess after colorectal surgery.

A summarizing overview about global clinical experiences with the OTSC clip is given by Prof. Dr. Marc O. Schurr, Member of the Executive Board of Ovesco Endoscopy AG.

Ovesco also welcomes clinicians at its booth in the industry exhibition.

For further information:
www.smit2009.com

October 2009 | Ovesco and ARTI Medical Solutions, Istanbul, enter into contractual relationship for the distribution of OTSC products in Turkey

ARTI SAGLIK HIZMETLERI KIMYA GIDA VE TELEKOMINIKASYON TIC. LTD. STI. is contracted by Ovesco Endoscopy AG for the exclusive distribution of OTSC products in Turkey.

See "Contact us"

September 2009 | Reports about the OTSC clip as a closure device at EURO-NOTES workshop, Barcelona, Spain

Leading scientists present their results at the EURO-NOTES workshop, 24–26 Sept. 2009, Barcelona, Spain.

Prof. Dr. P. Fockens, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, explains the technique of OTSC application for NOTES gastric closure and its successful use in the experimental model.

Dr. D. von Renteln and colleagues, Ludwigsburg, Germany, present a randomized controlled trial comparing endoscopic clipping techniques for gastrotomy closure with favourable results of the OTSC clip.

Dr. R. Voermans et al., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, present an ex vivo comparison of current colotomy closure modalities, including OTSC.

Successful clinical cases with OTSC for the closure of gastric fistula after gastric banding are shown by Dr. F. Iacopini et al., Rome, Italy.

September 2009 | Ovesco exhibits at national congress for gastroenterology and visceral surgery - Visceral medicine 2009 - in Hamburg, 30 Sept - 3 Oct 2009

Two national societies hold their common yearly meeting in Hamburg: German Society for Digestive and Metabolic Disease with the Section for Endoscopy (DGVS) and the German Society for General and Visceral Surgery (DGAV).
Ovesco is participating in the industry exhibition, presenting the OTSC system, highlighting the newly launched clip gc for gastric closure and the OTSC application aids. You may watch live demonstrations of the OTSC system or even try yourself in a phantom build-up.

Please visit us at booth # H.85 at the industrial exhibition.

Click here for more information
about the congress

September 2009 | Ovesco’s OTSC system applied in live demos at 43rd Erlangen Symposium for practical gastroenterology and hepatology, Erlangen University, 18–19 Sept 2009

Future prospects in complication management are a major topic of this meeting (43. Erlanger Tagung für Praktische Gastroenterologie und Hepatologie).

Ovesco’s OTSC system is applied in live demos transmitted from the Department of Gastroenterology and favourably pointed out by Prof. Dr. M. Raithel. Further, Prof. Dr. J. Hochberger emphasizes the significance of the OTSC in view of NOTES.

September 2009 | Ovesco is invited to participate in special haemostasis workshop at Erlangen University:
62. Erlanger Kurs für Endoskopie und Ultraschall, 15–17 Sept 2009

Ovesco is invited to participate in a workshop focussing on haemostasis in endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Participants are beginners and advanced endoscopists.

September 2009 | Ovesco announces appointment of Prof. Dr. med. Juergen Hochberger as a new member of the Supervisory Board.

Ovesco announces the appointment of Prof. Dr. med. Juergen Hochberger as a new member of the Supervisory Board after Prof. Dr. Thomas Gottwald has assumed responsibility in the Executive Board earlier this year. Currently, Prof. Hochberger is Chairman of the Dept. of Medicine III, Gastroenterology, Interventional Endoscopy, St. Bernward Academic Teaching Hospital in Hildesheim, Germany. Before, among other positions he was Chief Endoscopist of the Medical Dept. I, University of Erlangen. As internationally renowned expert in this field he is a true driver of innovation in the clinical development of interventional endoscopy holding numerous patents and having been granted multiple awards. He is founding member of the interdisciplinary “Initiative Group of NOTES Germany”, board member of several national and international medical societies and Associate Editor of “Gastrointestinal Endoscopy – GIE”.

As President elect he will steer the annual meeting of the German Society of Endoscopy (DGE-BV) in 2010 and the annual meeting of the “Section of Endoscopy of the German Society of Gastroenterology”.

“We are very pleased that we were able to attract such an excellent expert who will certainly add to our innovative spirit and portfolio”, said Frank Ramsberger, chairman of the Supervisory Board. “We enthusiastically welcome this great colleague and highly appreciate his expertise which will certainly make a difference to our company in the years to come”, said Marc Schurr and Thomas Gottwald of the Executive Board.

September 2009 | Ovesco selects Fleetwood Healthcare Ltd as distributors of the OTSC products in Ireland

Fleetwood Healthcare Ltd as a leading distributor of medical products for the Irish market is contracted by Ovesco Endoscopy AG for the exclusive distribution of OTSC products in Ireland.

See "Contact us"

August 2009 | Ovesco launches OTSC gc, the new OTSC clip version designed for gastric closure.

Ovesco has designed a derivative version of its successful OTSC clip which is a proven device for hollow organ closure in flexible endoscopy. The new version, OTSC gc, will supplement the existing OTSC a and OTSC t versions and is specifically designed for closure of the gastric wall.

OTSC gc has elongated teeth, thus providing an even stronger grip in the gastric wall compared to the standard OTSC t which had already been demonstrated to be an effective, simple to use and fast technique for closing gastrotomy in experimental NOTES.

A new experimental study by Prof. Dr. Alberto Arezzo and colleagues, now published online by the journal Endoscopy, has documented the effectiveness of OTSC gc in gastric closure.

OTSC gc is now commercially available by Ovesco Endoscopy AG.

July 2009 | Press release: Ovesco Endoscopy AG announces the appointment of Prof. Dr. Thomas Gottwald as member of the Executive Board.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Gottwald has been appointed member of the Executive Board of Ovesco Endoscopy AG, effective July 1st 2009. At the same time he resigned as Vice Chairmain of the Supervisory Board of the company. Before joining the Executive Management of Ovesco, Prof. Dr. Gottwald was Global Medical Director of Fresenius Kabi AG and Managing Director of Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH. He also held a number of Executive Management positions with Fresenius. He was President and CEO of Fresenius Biotech GmbH, one of the most successful German Biotech Companies. He is a General and Visceral Surgeon with a strong clinical and scientific track record. He will continue his academic work as a member of the medical faculty of the University of Tuebingen.

Prof. Dr. Marc Schurr stated, we are proud that we have attracted Thomas Gottwald to join me in the Executive Management of Ovesco. With his strong expertise in a broad area of Biotech and Medtech Industries he is the ideal new colleague.

Thomas Gottwald: “I am excited about this new challenge. We will work hard to further successfully expand this great company, based on both, innovative portfolio and entrepreneurial spirit.”

Frank Ramsperger, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board added: “The Supervisory Board was glad to appoint Prof. Dr. Thomas Gottwald as a member of the Executive Board. He will make a tremendous contribution to the further growth of the company.”

For further information please contact:

Prof. Dr. med. Marc O. Schurr
Executive board member
Ovesco Endoscopy AG
Dorfackerstraße 26
72074 Tuebingen / Deutschland
Phone +49 (0) 7071 7704-514
Fax +49 (0) 7071 763574
E-mail: marc.schurr@ovesco.com www.ovesco.com

July 2009 | AMT Vantage Group and Ovesco enter into a contractual relationship on the distribution of Ovesco’s OTSC products in Canada by AMT.

As a leading distributor of medical products for the Canadian Surgical Minimally Invasive Medical Device market, AMT Vantage Group Inc will be the exclusive distributor of Ovesco’s OTSC products in Canada.

See "Contact us"

June 2009 | HU Rudolf is awarded a prize for his study on endoscopic closure of duodenal perforations applying OTSC clips and the OTSC Twin Grasper at the XXth Congress of the South-West German Society of Gastroenterology

A working group of researchers of the Medizinische Klinik I in Ludwigsburg and the University of Heidelberg, Medical Faculty Mannheim was honoured with a poster award for their presentation of results of an experimental randomised animal study on endoscopic closure of duodenal perforations.

Endoskopischer Verschluss von Duodenalperforationen: Eine randomi-sierte tierexperimentelle Studie

HU Rudolf (2), D von Renteln (1), A Schmidt (1), M Gieselmann (2), T Gutmann (2),
K Caca (1)
(1) Klinikum Ludwigsburg, Medizinische Klinik I (2) Universität Heidelberg, Medizinische Fakultät Mannheim

Click here to view the poster.

June 2009 | Dr. Thomas Kratt wins award for his presentation of case reports on endoluminal OTSC treatment of Boerhaave syndrome

At the XXth Congress of the South-West German Society of Gastroenterology in Stuttgart, a poster of a working group from the University Hospital of Tuebingen presenting a case report on endoluminal OTSC-Clip therapy with Ovesco’s OTSC clip in Boerhaave syndrome is awarded a poster prize.

Suffiziente endoskopische Therapie bei Boerhaave-Syndrom

Click here to view the poster.

June 2009 | Ovesco contracts Alves & Cª (Irmãos), Lda, Lisbon, as distributors of Ovesco’s OTSC products in Portugal

Ovesco and Alves & Cª (Irmãos), Lda, have signed a contract for the exclusive distribution of OTSC products in Portugal by Alves & Cª and are looking forward to a successful cooperation.

See "Contact us"

June 2009 | Ovesco exhibits at two congresses in Mainz and Stuttgart, Germany, 26 - 27 June 2009

6. Forum Gastroenterologie
Gutenberg-Saal, Congress Center Mainz

Organised by
Prof. Dr. M. Jung, Head of the clinic for Internal Medicine, St. Hildegardis Hospital, Mainz
Prof. Dr. P. R. Galle, Director of the I. Med. Clinic and Policlinic, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, and
Prof. Dr. C. Ell, Director of the Dept. of Internal Medicine, HSK Kliniken Wiesbaden.

www.forum-gastroenterologie.de

XX. Kongress der Südwestdeutschen Gesellschaft für Gastroenterologie
Liederhalle, Stuttgart

Information:
Prof. Dr. W. G. Zoller, Director of the Dept. of General Internal Medicine, Katharinenhospital, Stuttgart

Please visit us at booth no. 207, Hegel-Foyer, Ebene 1

www.sw-gastro.de

June 2009 | Diagmed Healthcare Ltd, Thirsk, UK, and Ovesco sign contract for the distribution of OTSC products in Great Britain

Ovesco Endoscopy AG has contracted Diagmed Healthcare Ltd, in Thirsk, UK, as exclusive distributors for the OTSC endoscopic clipping system in the United Kingdom.

See "Contact us"

June 2009 | Experimental study proves effectiveness of the new clip version
OTSC gc for gastric closure in NOTES; EAES congress in Prague, 17 - 20 June 2009

In his oral presentation at the EAES congress in Prague in a session on Sutureless Tissue Approximation, Prof. Dr. Alberto Arezzo from Torino, Italy, reports on successful gastric closure with the new OTSC gc special clip:

Transgastric cholecystectomy and secure endoscopic closure of transgastric approaches in a surviving porcine model.
Hollow organ closure devices and techniques for NOTES

www.congresses.eaes-eur.org

June 2009 | OTSC clips in combination with Twin Grasper and Anchor referenced as a suitable organ closure device.

In a comprehensive review in the Chirurgische Allgemeine Zeitung (CHAZ, 2009,10.5, 292-298), the German NOTES working group
(D-NOTES) resumes all aspects of NOTES in a status report, including an assessment of all current closure techniques. Ovesco’s OTSC Clips are highlighted and very favorably described, especially if applied in combination with the OTSC Anchor and the OTSC Twin Grasper.



June 2009 | OTSC gc, a new special version of the OTSC clip for gastric closure, applied in live demo at D-NOTES 2009 in Munich, 11 - 13 June 2009

Organised by Prof. Dr. H. Feußner and
Prof. Dr. A. Meining, Munich, from the D-NOTES working group.

In a live demo of transgastric access techniques Prof. Dr. Karel Caca from Ludwigsburg and PD Dr. Jörn Bernhardt from Rostock demonstrate the application of Ovesco's new special clip OTSC gc and the OTSC Anchor for gastric closure in NOTES. Prof. Dr. A. Meining also uses the OTSC Twin Grasper for gastric closure.

www.d-notes.de

June 2009 | SC Medical Logistic Partner SRL in Bucharest, is selected by Ovesco to act as exclusive distributor in Romania

As a leading distributor of medical products, SC Medical Logistic Partner SRL will act as exclusive distributor of OTSC products in Romania.

See "Contact us"

May 2009 | Favourable results of experimental studies with Ovesco products presented during Digestive Disease Week 2009 in Chicago, USA,
30 May – 4 June 2009

Researchers present studies on OTSC-based endoscopic closure techniques at DDW 2009:

732. Endoscopic Closure of Duodenal Perforations By Means of An Over the Scope Clip (OTSC): A Randomized Controlled Porcine Study
Daniel von Renteln, Hans U. Rudolph, Arthur R. Schmidt, Maria Gieselmann, Tamara E. Gutmann, Karel Caca

S1399. Overclips As the Best-Performing Second Generation Flexible Endoscopic NOTES®-Closure Technique in a Multioperator Two-Phase Porcine Study
Manuel Perez-Miranda, Ferrán González-Huix, Marisa Goyeneche, Carlos Dolz, Diego Juzgado, Pedro González, Jorge C. Espinós, Francisco Igea, Enrique Vazquez-Sequeiros, Paul Yeaton

S1406. Endoscopic Closure of the Transgastric NOTES® Access By Means of An Over the Scope Clip System (OTSC). A Randomized Controlled Porcine Study
Daniel von Renteln, Arthur R. Schmidt, Hans U. Rudolph, Tamara E. Gutmann, Maria Gieselmann, Karel Caca

M1511. Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection Using a Novel Tissue Anchoring Device
Arthur R. Schmidt, Daniel von Renteln, Karel Caca

April 2009 | The OTSC system is applied as an investigational device in the Learning Center at SAGES 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona, 22 - 25 April 2009 (The Society of American Gastro-
intestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons)

Kai Matthes, MD, PhD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, is coordinator of a course on NOTES. Objective of the course is, among others, to perform a secure closure of the transluminal access port using various techniques such as t-tags, clips or sophisticated closure devices. Ovesco is invited to contribute with the OTSC system.

Further, Richard I. Rothstein, MD, Section Chief, Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Associate Director, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, reports about the OTS Clip and the OTSC TwinGrasper in his presentation: Management of Difficult Endoscopic Scenarios and Compli-
cations in the Flexible Endoscopy Postgraduate Course on 22 April, 2009.

April 2009 | Ovesco exhibits at two important internists' congresses in Wiesbaden, Germany, 18 - 22 April 2009

29. Seminar "Endoskopie des Internisten", Vorsymposium Gastroenterologie, Kurhaus Wiesbaden, 18 - 19 April 2009

ESD:
Endoskopische Submucosa-Dissektion
In a hands-on course Prof. Dr. Hans-Dieter Allescher, Head of the Department of Gastroenterology at the Zentrum für Innere Medizin, Klinikum Garmisch-Partenkirchen and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Hochberger, St. Bernward Krankenhaus Hildesheim, Innere Medizin III familiarise the participants with the application of the OTS Clip. Further, in a live demo Prof. Allescher and PD Dr. Georg Kähler, Head of the Sektion Endoskopie und Sonographie at the Chirurgische Universitätsklinik Mannheim demonstrate the application of the OTS Clip in the upper GI tract in an endo-trainer (photo).

Click here to view a photo of the session.

For more information see
www.endoskopiedesinternisten.de

115. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Innere Medizin, Rhein-Main-Hallen, 18 - 22 April 2009

This is the national congress of the German Society for Internal Medicine.
On 20 April 2009 Ovesco is invited to parti-
cipate in a training course for advanced endoscopists dealing with the management of endoscopic emergencies:
"Endoskopische Blutstillung und EASIE-Training" | "Endoscopic hemostasis and EASIE training " (EASIE Simulator - Erlanger Ausbildungssimulator für die Interventionelle Endoskopie = Training phantom for interventional endoscopy from Erlangen, Germany)
Chair:
Prof. Dr. E. G. Hahn (Erlangen),
Prof. Dr. M. Raithel (Erlangen)
Prof. Dr. J. Hochberger from Hildesheim is also a member of the training staff - among further instructors from Erlangen.

For more information see www.dgim.de

April 2009 | Tehran Nano Tech in Tehran is selected by Ovesco to act as exclusive distributor of OTSC products in Iran

Ovesco Endoscopy AG has contracted Tehran Nano Tech in Tehran as exclusive distributor of OTSC products in Iran.

See "Contact us"

April 2009 | Results of a new experimental study on transgastric cholecystectomy using OTSC for gastric closure presented at the National Congress of the Italian Society for Digestive Endoscopy - Congresso Nazionale delle Malattie Digestive
28 March - 1 April 2009 in Milan, Italy

Background and aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of transgastric cholecystectomy and gastric closure without infection of the abdominal cavity or peritonitis.

Transgastric cholecystectomy was successfully performed in eight pigs; OTSC gc clips, a new derivative of the OTSC family and Twin Graspers were used to close the gastric defects. Closure was feasible in all cases, no signs of peritonitis were observed over the follow-up duration of 4 weeks and upon pathology after sacrifice.

This study demonstrated that transgastric choelcystectomy can be successfully performed without inducing peritonitis if safe closure of the gastric access is achieved.

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES): Transgastric cholecystectomy in a surviving porcine model

A. Arezzo (1), T. Kratt(2), Mario Morino (1)

(1) Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
(2) Department of Surgery, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany

Abstract published in:
Abstracts/Digestive and Liver Disease 41S (2009), S1-S167 (S54)

April 2009 | Ovesco and Shani Tal Marketing Ltd, Petach Tikva, sign contract for the distribution of OTSC products in Israel

As a leading distributor of medical products, Shani Tal Marketing Ltd will act as exclusive distributor of OTSC products in Israel.

See "Contact us"

March 2009 | The OTSC® system is present at renowned congress for “Interdisciplinary Gastroenterology“ of the DGE-BV in Munich (Germany) from 18 – 21 March 2009

XI. DGBMT/DVMT/DGE-BV/Fraunhofer SMIT Symposium, 18 March 2009
NOTES: Technologies and applications today and tomorrow.

39th Congress of the German Society for Endoscopy and Imaging Procedures (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Endoskopie und Bildgebende Verfahren (DGE-BV) in Munich (Germany) from 19 – 21 March 2009
together with

48th Symposium of the Surgical Association for Endoscopy and Sonography (CAES – Chirurgische Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Endoskopie und Sonographie)

Three important events in one, dealing with all aspects of endoscopic procedures.

Besides participation at the industry exhibition Ovesco’s OTSC system and latest versions of innovative application aids are used in two workshops for advanced endoscopists on Thursday 19 March.
Organisation: Prof. Dr. J. Hochberger, Hildesheim, and PD Dr. J. Maiss, Forchheim:

Workshop I1/I2
Management of endoscopic emergencies – perforations and post-op leakage.
Hands-on training in endoscopy simulators.

Workshop J1/J2
NOTES Toolbox for gastroenterologists.

Moreover, results of studies with Ovescco’s OTS-Clip are shown in two posters
(Poster assessment on Friday, 20 March 2009, 1 – 2 pm):

P25 Die flexibel-endoskopische transgastrale Cholezystektomie: eine Machbarkeitsstudie
(Flexible-endoscopic transgastric cholecystectomy: Feasibility study)
T. Kratt (1), A. Arezzo (2), C. N. Ho (1), G. Anhoeck (1), C. Fleisch (1), M. O.Schurr (1);
(1) Tübingen, (2) Torino

P26 Der flexibel-endoskopische Zugangsverschluss mittels OTS-Clip nach transgastral-intraabdomineller NOTES-Intervention: Ergebnisse einer Überlebens-Versuchsstudie am Schwein (Flexible-endoscopic closure of access hole with OTS-Clip after transgastric intraabdominal NOTES intervention: Results of a survival trial in pigs)
T. Kratt (1), A. Arezzo (2), G. Anhoeck (1), C.N. Ho (1), C. Fleisch (1), M. Schenk (1), T. Greiner (1), A. Königsrainer (1), M. O.Schurr (1); (1) Tübingen, (2) Torino

Please visit us at the industry exhibition at booth number 202.

Please click here to know more about the congress: www.dgebv.de/jahrestagung.html

February 2009 | Ovesco and Suntek Medical Systems, Seoul, Korea, enter into contractual relationship for the distribution of OTSC products in Korea

Suntek Medical Systems is contracted by Ovesco Endoscopy AG for the exclusive distribution of OTSC products in the Republic of Korea.

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February 2009 | Ovesco signs distribution agreement with Kungshusen Medicinska AB, Mariefred, Sweden, for the distribution of OTSC products in Sweden

Kungshusen Medicinska AB in Mariefred, Sweden, is contracted by Ovesco Endoscopy AG for the exclusive distribution of OTSC products in Sweden.

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February 2009 | Endo Plus Service KFT. Budapest, and Ovesco place contract for the distribution of OTSC products in Hungary

Endo Plus Service KFT., Budapest, is a leading distributor of medical products for the Hungarian market and will act as exclusive distributor of the OTSC products in Hungary.

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February 2009 | Ovesco selects Braun Scandinavia A/S, Værløse, Denmark, as distributors of the OTSC products in Denmark

Braun Scandinavia A/S, as a leading distributor of medical products for the Danish market is contracted by Ovesco Endoscopy AG for the exclusive distribution of OTSC products in Denmark.

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January 2009 | Ovesco and LIFE PARTNERS EUROPE sign distribution contract for Ovesco products in France

Life Partners Europe, the largest independent distributor of endoscopy devices in France is contracted by Ovesco for the exclusive distribution of the OTSC System in France.

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January 2009 | Euromedical SRL, Brescia, is selected by Ovesco to act as exclusive distributor in Italy

As a leading distributor of medical products on the Italian marked Euromedical SRL will act as Ovesco's sole and exclusive distributor for the sale of the OTSC System in Italy.

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January 2009 | Ovesco signs contract with Izasa Distribuciones Tecnicas SA in Barcelona for the distribution of the OTSC products in Spain

Izasa Distribuciones Tecnicas SA in Barcelona is contracted by Ovesco Endoscopy AG for the distribution of the OTSC products in Spain.

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December 2008 | "Bear Claw: Closing Perforations" Prof. J. Hochberger, MD, reported at the 32nd Annual New York Course on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 17-20 December 2008

At the President's Lecture on Endoscopy, Economics, Politics and Patients "A Glimpse into the Future of Endoscopy" Prof. Dr. Jürgen Hochberger gave his video based presentation on the use of OTSC. In a subsequent hands-on course the application of the OTSC system was demonstrated.
Theme of the meeting was "Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Breaking New Ground", and it was hosted by the New York Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and jointly sponsored by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

December 2008 | Favourable assessment of OTSC system and OTSC twin grasper in a study on hollow organ defect closure in NOTES

In their review article, Prof. Dr. A. Arezzo from the University of Torino and colleagues from the Istituto Clinico Humanitas in Milan, the University of Tuebingen, from the Steinbeis University Berlin, IHCI Institute Tuebingen and Ovesco Endoscopy AG give an overview on potentials and feasibility of NOTES (Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery). Therein, they describe the application of the OTSC system and OTSC twin grasper, especially in transgastric interventions. They report on a prospective phantom trial measuring the burst pressure after hand suture vs. OTSC placement, demonstrating the equivalence of the two procedures.
Moreover, they write that feasibility tests in domestic pigs allowed to demonstrate not only gas-tight closure, but also a perfect invagination of the serosal layer of the stomach once the OTSC is released.
They conclude that the hollow organ defect closure represents the most important issue now to determine whether or not there will be a future for NOTES, which is being investigated in ongoing surviving animal labs.

New developments for endoscopic hollow organ closure in prospective of NOTES

Alberto Arezzo (1), Alessandro Repici (2), Andreas Kirschniak (3),Marc O. Schurr (4, 5), Chi Nghia Ho (5), Mario Morino (1)

(1) Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
(2) Endoscopic Unit, Istituto Clinico Humanitas, Rozzano, Milano, Italy
(3) Department of Surgery, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
(4) Steinbeis University Berlin, IHCI Institute, Tuebingen, Germany
(5) Ovesco Endoscopy AG, Tuebingen, Germany
Minimally Invasive Therapy & Allied Technologies. 2008; 17:6; 355-360

December 2008 | Ovesco and MediStim KirOp, Oslo, enter into contractual relationship on the distribution of the OTSC System in Norway by MediStim KirOp.

MediStim KirOp is a leading distributor of medical products for the Norwegian market and will act as exclusive distributor.

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December 2008 | Ovesco Endoscopy AG selects Gerhard Pejcl Medizintechnik Handels GmbH in Vienna as distributors for Austria

Ovesco Endoscopy AG has selected Gerhard Pejcl Medizintechnik Handels GmbH in Vienna as distributors for his OTSC endoscopic clipping system for Austria.

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December 2008 | European collabora-
tion yields the first OTSC clip release via telemetric endoscopic capsule

Conclusions of Dr. Pietro Valdastri and colleagues in their article in the journal "Endoscopy": "This study reports the first successfull in vivo surgical experiment using a wireless endoscopic capsule, paving the way to a new generation of capsule devices able to perform both diagnostic and therapeutic tasks."

Wireless therapeutic endoscopic capsule: in vivo experiment
P. Valdastri (1), C. Quaglia (1), E. Susilo (1,2), A. Menciassi (1,2), C. N. Ho (3), G. Anhöck (3), M.O. Schurr (3,4)

1 CRIM (Center for Research in Microengineering) Lab, Scuala Superiore Sant’Anna, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy
2 Italian Institute of Technology Network, Genova, Italy
3 Ovesco AG, Tübingen, Germany
4 IHCI (Institute of Healthcare Industries), Steinbeis University Berlin, Tübingen, Germany
Endoscopy 2008; 40:1-4, in press

November 2008 | OTSC system will be presented at the 1st Experimental Course on NOTES in Cáceres, Spain,
1 - 2 December 2008

For more information please see the announcement (pdf)

November 2008 | Ovesco wins innovation grant by the State Government of Baden-Württemberg

The budget will be used to develop new instruments to supplement our signature OTSC product family

"Innovationsgutschein" (pdf)

November 2008 | "The initial clinical use of this clipping device proved to be efficient and effective." Conclusion of Dr. A. Repici and colleagues on Ovesco's OTSC system in their report, published in the journal Digestive and Liver Disease

In a new clinical report about OTSC, A. Repici and colleagues published:
Results:
All applications resulted successful, i.e. haemostasis was achieved, and/or wall defects could be closed. No complication was observed that could be ascribed to the clip itself or to the technique.
Conclusions:
The OTSC system is a new endoscopic tool for compression of large tissue areas and its indications are nonvaricose bleedings difficult to control and lesions or perforations of the GI tract. The initial clinical use of this clipping device proved to be efficient and effective.

Clinical experience with a new endoscopic over-the-scope clip system for use in the GI tract
Digestive and Liver Disease, In Press, available online 18 October 2008
A. Repici, A. Arezzo, G. De Caro, M. Morino, N. Pagano, G. Rando, F. Romeo, G. Del Conte, S. Danese, A. Malesci

To see the preview: www.sciencedirect.com

November 2008 | Ovesco Endoscopy AG has signed distributor contract with HSC Industry s.r.o. in Czech Republic

Ovesco Endoscopy AG has contracted HSC Industry s.r.o. in Trmice, Czech Republic, as distributors for his OTSC endoscopic clipping system

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November 2008 | OTSC® system was successfully presented at the 2nd Curso Internacional de NOTES-W.I.D.E.R-
Barcelona, Spain, on 10 – 11 November 2008

At the two-day international event with a theoretical and a practical part the complete OTSC system was presented in both, gathering outstanding positive feedback.
The meeting was hosted by José Ramón Armengol-Miró, Manuel Armengol Carrasco, and Antonio J. Torres García.
(W.I.D.E.R.-Barcelona: World Institute for Digestive Endoscopy Research)

www.wider-barcelona.org

October 2008 | OTSC determined as appropriate for secure closure of suitable transgastric NOTES approaches in experimental study

In an experimental study recently published in the journal Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Dr. Thomas Kratt, Department of Surgery, Tuebingen University, Tuebingen, Germany results of gastrotomy closure by OTSC were presented. Gastric closure after NOTES was technically successful in 8 out of 9 cases with airtight seal of the lesion on endoscopic insufflation. In one case there was a mismatch of gastrotomy size and clip size, so that clip closure was not undertaken. No clip-system failure or clip damages or any unexpected lesions because of the clip system were found. At unphysiologically high insufflation pressures slight airleak was seen in 4 cases. The time range between reinsertion of the clip-loaded endoscope and clip application required 4 to 22 minutes (mean 12.3 +/-5.4 minutes). The authors conclude they find the OTSC system to be appropriate for secure closure of suitable transgastric NOTES approaches in human beings:
”Conclusions: Sufficient closure of transgastric NOTES approaches is feasible when using the OTSC system. When considering our clinical experience, the OTSC system was shown to be an uncomplicated and secure sealing technique in human beings.“

Feasibility study for secure closure of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery gastrotomies by using over-the-scope clips

Thomas Kratt, MD, Markus Küper, MD, Frank Traub, MD, PhD, Chi-Nghia Ho, MSc, Marc Oliver Schurr, MD, Alfred Königsrainer, MD, Frank Alexander Granderath, MD, Andreas Kirschniak, MD
Volume 68, No. 5:2008 GASTROINTESTINAL ENDOSCOPY; 993-996
Copyright © American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

October 2008 | Ovesco Endoscopy AG contracts Kalteq S.A., Athens as distributors for Greece and Cyprus

Ovesco Endoscopy AG has contracted Kalteq S.A., Athens, as distributors for his OTSC endoscopic clipping system for Greece and Cyprus.

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October 2008 | 16th United European Gastroenterology Week - UEGW;
18 - 22 October 2008 in Vienna, Austria

Ovesco Endoscopy presents its OTSC clipping system and ancillary instruments for endoscopic organ wall closure at the 16th United European Gastroenterology Week in Vienna. The OTSC system is Ovesco's superelastic endoscopic clipping system for the closure of the gastrointestinal organ wall or for the endoscopic treatment of hemorrhage.

Please visit us at the industry exhibition,
booth number 220.

For further information about the 16th United European Gastroenterology Week, please click here.

October 2008 | OTSC in the new column „Clinical cases“ on the website of the Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy (SIED – Società Italiana Endoscopia Digestiva)

A presentation of Ovesco’s OTSC clipping system including video demonstration is online not only for the almost 2000 members of the Italian Society of Digestive Endoscopy:

Caso Clinico – 07/08;

OTSC - Over The Scope Clip: Una grande clip in Nitinolo di nuova concezione

A. Arezzo¹, A. Repici², A. Kirschniak, A. Koenigsrainer, T. Kratt³

¹Centro Universitario di Chirurgia MIninvasiva, Università di Torino
²Istituto Clinico Humanitas - Servizio di Endoscopia Digestiva, Rozzano (MI) ³Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, University of Tuebingen, Germany

To view the video, click the photo on the website

September 2008 | Ovesco Endoscopy GmbH have changed their legal form and are now called Ovesco Endoscopy AG

Frank Ramsperger has been elected Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Professor Dr. Marc O. Schurr has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Professor Dr. med. Thomas Gottwald is Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Hansjörg Bürk is also Member of the Supervisory Board.

September 2008 | OTSC found best approach to close gastric access after NOTES: results of a comparative experimental trial

Brussels, September 26, 2008, EURO-NOTES meeting (see also News below) - Dr. Manuel Perez-Miranda and colleagues presented a comparative experimental trial comparing different techniques for closing transgastric access to the abdominal cavity in NOTES. Their two-phase trial involved 4 endoscopic devices for closure, among them Ovesco’s OTSC clip, investigated by 14 endoscopists . OTSC was found to provide highest pressure resistance, is most simple to apply and requires the lowest procedural time.
The study was done under a research grant by the EURO-NOTES foundation.

For full results of the study please refer to: Perez-Miranda M, Gonzalez-Huix F, Goyeneche M, Dolz C, Jusgado D, Gonzalez-Carro P, Espinos J, Igeo F, Vazquez-Sequeiros E, Perez-Duarte F. Relative Performance of four second generation flexible endoscopic NOTES closure techniques (FECT’s).
Endoscopy 2008; 49: 790-794,
ESGE Newsletter

September 2008 | Ovesco Endoscopy supports EURO-NOTES workshop 2008 as corporate partner

The EURO-NOTES workshop, 25 - 27 Sept. 2008 in Brussels, Belgium, will be the leading scientific meeting on Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) in Europe this year. The meeting will bring gastroenterologists, surgeons and other scientists together and highlight the current clinical and experimental research on NOTES.

Ovesco Endoscopy is proud to be an industry partner of EURO-NOTES and to support the meeting.

Click here to view the conference program.

For further information on EURO-NOTES please check: www.euro-notes.org

September 2008 | Leading Tuebingen newspaper reports about Ovesco’s success story

Though the comprehensive article focusses on the OTSC clip and its promising prospects it also deals with the history, the plans for the future and presents Ovesco’s team of experts.

Click here to view the article.

August 2008 | 20th International Conference of the Society for Medical Innovation and Technology – SMIT;
28 - 30 August 2008 in Vienna, Austria

Ovesco’s clinical partners will present the latest results from their experience with  the NOTES closure device.

Please visit us at booth number B 4 at Level -1 of the industrial exhibition. You may watch live demonstrations of the OTSC system or even try your hand in a phantom build-up.

For further information about the conference and for the conference program, please check: www.smit2008.com

July 2008 | Ovesco Endoscopy GmbH appoints Johan Ceuppens as Commercial Director Europe

Ovesco Endoscopy GmbH has contracted Mr Johan Ceuppens, Managing Director of Fides Medical BVBA, Belgium, to advise the executive management on the distribution of the OTSC product line in Europe and to act as Commercial Director Europe. Johan Ceuppens has substantial professional experience in the area of commercialising products for minimally invasive therapy and in establishing distribution for advanced medical products. His role at Ovesco will include European market development and the selection of distribution partners.

Prof. Dr. Marc Schurr, Managing Director of Ovesco stated: "The involvement of Johan Ceuppens is a relevant step ahead in distributing our OTSC product line in the European market. We are looking forward to building out a strong and successful cooperation. Johan Ceuppens said: “I am very pleased to work together with the Ovesco team in supporting them to successfully commercialize the OTSC system in Europe. The OTSC system as an innovative device for the treatment of hemorrhage and organ wall lesions in the gastrointestinal tract has great potential and is a very motivational aspect in my cooperation with the Ovesco team."

July 2008 | Results of experimental study on closure of iatrogenic colonic lesions with OTSC published in ENDOSCOPY

The results of a prospective experimental laboratory trial on the use of OTSC for the closure of iatrogeneic full thickness perforations of the colonic wall published in the issue of the scientific journal Endoscopy by M.O. Schurr et al. Ovesco Endoscopy was the sponsor of the trial. The study revealed 100% closure rate and uneventful postoperative course in all 9 cases that completed the study. Macroscopic and microscopic examination of the clipping sites in the bowel wall showed normal tissue healing and no pathological reaction on the implant over a follow-up period of 3 months.

Reprints can be requested from Ovesco Endoscopy AG: info@ovesco.com.

Click here to read the abstract of the article: Endoscopy 2008; 40: 584-588

July 2008 | J. Hochberger et al. report about experimental experiences and clinical perspective of NOTES, including OTSC

Prof. Dr. J. Hochberger and co-workers published article on the current status of NOTES in experimental and clinical procedures.  The experiences also include Ovesco’s OTSC-clip for the closure of transgastric access.

Hochberger J, Lamade W, Matthes K, Menke D, Köhler T. NOTES – Experimentelle Erfahrungen und klinische Perspektiven, in: Köckerling F (Hrsg.) NOTES – Eingriffe über natürliche Körperöffnungen. Hans-Marseille Verlag GmbH, München, (2008) 29-51

June 2008 | OTSC  was successfully tested against three other endoscopic closure techniques by independent researchers in the setting of a EURO-NOTES Foundation-sponsored trial conducted at the CCMI (Minimally Invasive Surgery Centre) in Cáceres, Spain, from 16 – 20 June.

Dr. Manuel Pérez-Miranda, Principal Investigator of the EURO-NOTES Olympus Research Fund project “Operator variability and relative performance of four second generation flexible endoscopic closure techniques (fects)“, had invited Ovesco Endoscopy and other companies to prove their devices in a comparative study aiming to assess effectiveness in closing organ ports after NOTES access.
The comparative study was conducted by groups of independent international endoscopic surgeons (at least 3 each day) at the Centro de Cirugía de Mínima Invasión (CCMI) in Cáceres.

Participants agreed that the OTSC System achieved outstanding  performance in stomach and colon phantom models, and thus it won the reward to proceed to in-vivo tests in 5 pigs. There too, it proved apt in subsequent leakage tests and other efficiency examinations

The results will be worked out and published by Dr. Pérez-Miranda, Hospital del Río Hortega, Valladolid, Spain, and his coworkers.

June 2008 | Researchers present OTSC as organ closure technique at German D-NOTES meeting

The interdisciplinary German working group on Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery, D-NOTES, holds its second annual scientific meeting in Hamburg, Germany, from June 26 to 28 under the chairmanship of Prof. Dr. Karl-Hermann Fuchs, Frankfurt, Germany.

At D-NOTES 2008, Prof. Dr. Juergen Hochberger, Hildesheim, Germany, will demonstrate the use of Ovesco’s OTSC system for the closure of gastric access in NOTES in a live laboratory session.
Dr. Thomas Kratt, Tuebingen, Germany, a leading clinical user of the OTSC system, will present his data on organ closure with OTSC in NOTES from a new laboratory study.
Prof. Dr. Hubert Feussner, Munich, Germany, will discuss OTSC with the members of the
D-NOTES working group who will meet under his leadership.

For further information on the D-NOTES 2008 meeting, please click here.