Olympus’ ENDOEYE FLEX 3D Articulating Videoscope Receives Breakthrough Innovation Technology Award at Premier, Inc.’s 2014 National Breakthroughs Conference

World’s Only Articulating HD 3D Laparoscopic Surgical Video System Improves Speed,
Accuracy and Precision When Compared to 2D Systems 

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., June 11, 2014 – Olympus, a global technology leader in delivering innovative diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for medical and surgical procedures, among other core businesses, announced today that its ENDOEYE FLEX 3D articulating videoscope was one of 16 medical innovations on display in front of thousands of healthcare providers and experts at the at the Premier, Inc. 2014 Breakthroughs Conference and Exhibition.

Olympus’ 3D Imaging System was showcased during the conference’s sixth annual Innovation Celebration, which recognizes advances in healthcare while highlighting industry suppliers committed to innovation and improving patient outcomes.

“We are honored to be recognized by Premier for innovative technology that will help physicians and surgeons improve the overall care of their patients," said Luke Calcraft, President of the Medical Systems Group at Olympus Corporation of the Americas. “Olympus is fully committed to helping healthcare facilities fulfill the requirements of healthcare reform aimed at improving quality of care, decreasing costs and enhancing patient satisfaction.”

Olympus’ ENDOEYE FLEX 3D is the world's only articulating HD 3D videoscope. The system’s 3D visualization provides depth perception and a precise spatial view of anatomy that cannot be achieved with traditional 2D systems, producing bright, natural 2D and 3D images in a lightweight and ergonomic design. It also delivers up to 100 degrees of articulation in all directions, enabling observation and therapy in the entire peritoneal cavity — and with a level visual horizon.

When compared with traditional 2D surgical systems, the ENDOEYE FLEX 3D delivers value to surgeons and patients by reducing surgical errors and improving the speed, accuracy and precision of surgical tasks such as dissection, grasping and suturing, based on internal Olympus testing conducted using a simulated surgical model.* Olympus’ 3D system also provides surgeons with real time tactile feedback, which is lost when using robotic alternatives.

The modular design of the Olympus 3D Imaging System makes it easy to add 3D capability to existing Olympus EVIS EXERA III universal imaging systems, reducing the investment necessary to add 3D capability. The EVIS EXERA III system is compatible with more than 100 endoscopes and camera heads. This compatibility is retained even after upgrading to 3D, helping to reduce capital investments and simplify asset management and training. Olympus 3D Imaging also is seamlessly integrated into the Olympus ENDOALPHA Integrated Operating Room.

“Those who attend and participate in the Innovation Celebration share Premier’s commitment to providing valuable products to our members that are safe, high-quality and cost-effective,” said Durral R. Gilbert, president of supply chain services, Premier. “We believe these innovations can benefit providers as they work to transform healthcare.”

Award winners were announced June 10, 2014, during the Innovation Celebration held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.

For more information or to evaluate the Olympus ENDOEYE FLEX 3D system, please contact your Olympus representative or call 800-548-5515.

About Premier, Inc.
Premier, Inc. is a leading healthcare improvement company, uniting an alliance of approximately 3,000 U.S. hospitals and 110,000 other providers to transform healthcare. With integrated data and analytics, collaboratives, supply chain solutions, and advisory and other services, Premier enables better care and outcomes at a lower cost. Premier, a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient, plays a critical role in the rapidly evolving healthcare industry, collaborating with members to co-develop long-term innovations that reinvent and improve the way care is delivered to patients nationwide. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Premier is passionate about transforming American healthcare. Please visit Premier’s news and investor sites on www.premierinc.com; as well as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Foursquare and Premier’s blog for more information about the company.

About Olympus Medical Systems Group 
Olympus Medical Systems Group, a division of global technology leader Olympus, develops solutions for healthcare professionals that help improve clinical outcomes, reduce overall costs and enhance quality of life for their patients. By enabling less invasive procedures, innovative diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy, and early stage lung cancer evaluation and treatments, Olympus is transforming the future of healthcare.

Media Contact
Michael Levey, Olympus, 484-896-5120, michael.levey@olympus.com

*Data on file.