Optimed develops what it calls the world's first disposable gastroscope

OptiMed Co., Ltd. announced on the 20th that it has successfully developed a disposable gastroscope (model UG105) to prevent superbug infections and will soon begin mass production.

Founded in 2011, OptiMed is the only Korean medical-device startup specializing in gastroscopes. After investing a total of KRW 3 billion in R&D over 10 years and focusing on development using Korean technology, the company has developed technology for mass-producing disposable gastroscopes. The product is nearing mass production, with safety assessments and approval procedures underway.

OptiMed CEO Kim Heon-tae said, “We are the first in the world to successfully develop a disposable gastroscope. Our disposable gastroscope, which can prevent superbug infections, is progressing smoothly through biological testing procedures at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, including animal testing, with the goal of receiving final medical-device approval by August.”

To protect patients from deadly “superbugs” for which there are currently no treatments, OptiMed is targeting the disposable endoscope market both in Korea and globally.

The company set out to prevent infection incidents caused by inadequate disinfection of reusable endoscopes, while helping hospitals reduce endoscope purchase and maintenance costs and staffing needs. It is also preparing to develop robotic endoscopes over the longer term.

Disposable endoscopes can save costs and time. They are less expensive than high-end endoscopes, require no investment in disinfection equipment or space to house it, and incur no repair or maintenance labor costs.

Disposable endoscopes are discarded after a single use and require no disinfection, eliminating the need for reprocessing and sterilization.

OptiMed has begun full-scale marketing, targeting applications in the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreas.

CEO Kim Heon-tae added, “The endoscope market in Korea and overseas is dominated by expensive Japanese products such as Olympus. Our disposable gastroscope offers excellent technology and quality at a competitive price. We will leverage these strengths to build sales channels in Korea’s endoscope market and gain a foothold in overseas markets, including the United States.”