ASGE Partners with AMBU, the World Leader in Single-Use Endoscopy, to Advance Patient Care

ASGE, along with Ambu Inc., the leading provider of single-use flexible endoscopes, announce Ambu’s support in equipping the state-of-the-art Bioskills Laboratory and Simulation Center at ASGE’s Institute for Training & Technology (IT&T) with six of Ambu’s industry-leading GI platforms containing aBox™ processors and associated single-use scopes for ERCP and EGD procedures.

Ambu’s sponsorship will make the ASGE IT&T the first and only training facility to offer single-use flexible endoscopy equipment to ASGE members and rising GI fellows, underscoring the GI market’s growing transition to single-use scopes. ASGE IT&T will allow training and experiential access to the aScope™ Duodeno as well as the first and only single-use gastroscope on the market, the aScope™ Gastro.

ASGE is recognized worldwide for advancing patient care and promoting excellence in innovation in the GI community. ASGE’s IT&T is the premier training facility for hands-on education on new, advanced and innovative procedures in GI. The 2,800-square-foot laboratory, located in suburban Chicago, has 16 stations for hands-on learning in endoscopy, surgery and other medical specialties for new product and device demonstration. ASGE IT&T hosts over 70 training events per year.

“We are excited to partner with ASGE to support its educational programs by enabling their members access to the first dedicated single-use endoscopy solution in the training center,” said Vice President of Marketing for Ambu USA, Christian Escobar. “Ambu is the industry leader in single-use endoscopes, having proudly developed innovative solutions in multiple clinical areas since 2009. We see this partnership as an opportunity for Ambu to support the gastroenterology community in their efforts to advance patient care, but also an opportunity for individual physicians to experience ground-breaking technology first-hand during skills enhancement labs and educational sessions.”

The IT&T will feature new Ambu single-use duodenoscopes and gastroscopes that connect with the compact aBox 2 display unit or aBox Duodeno processor. Members can practice a variety of upper endoscopic procedures spanning from routine esophagogastric duodenoscopy (EGD) to more advanced endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endo-bariatric endoscopy.

The aScope Duodeno was granted Breakthrough Device Designation when it received FDA clearance in July 2020. With its rippled surface handle and light weight (54 percent less than a typical reusable scope), the aScope Duodeno is designed for control and comfort no matter how long the procedure. The aScope Gastro offers 210-degree retroflection and a dedicated auxiliary water jet channel — and the performance does not deteriorate over time, because it’s used once and discarded rather than used multiple times and subjected to rigorous reprocessing cycles. The aScope Gastro is ideal for critical care and OR use thanks to it’s single-use design and portable display unit.

Finally, both scopes work seamlessly to our aBox processing units. The aBox™ Duodeno connects directly to a medical grade monitor and documentation system. The aBox™ 2 is a full HD display and processing unit with built-in touchscreen, processor and recorder, offering a modern, intuitive design and plug-and-play connectivity with the aScope Gastro endoscope.

“ASGE is deeply appreciative to Ambu for enhancing training capabilities at our IT&T, where we conduct numerous courses and provide critical hands-on training throughout the year. Education is a core component of ASGE’s mission and familiarizing our members and trainees with the latest single use endoscopes from Ambu for performance of EGD and ERCP will enhance clinical options and the level of care provided to patients,” said ASGE Past President Bret Petersen, MD, MASGE.

At the IT&T, members will be able to explore new techniques without worry of damaging the endoscopes. They will also learn how having a scope always at the ready removes potential barriers to a smooth workflow — making single-use endoscopes ideal for scenarios where time and availability are critical.

The systems were installed in March 2023. To learn more about aScope Gastro, click here. To learn more about aScope Duodeno, click here.

Advantages of single-use devices

Ambu manufactures single-use endoscopes, which means that they are only used during a single procedure for a specific patient. At the end of the procedure, they are discarded in environmentally friendly ways. The main advantages of single-use devices are that each patient is treated with a clean device — for improved patient safety — and that patient-ready devices are readily available.

The company has expanded the number of endoscopes it sells from pulmonology into new endoscopy segments over the past two years, securing FDA approval for a rhinolaryngoscope in ENT, a cystoscope in urology, and a duodenoscope and gastroscope in gastroenterology. The aScope 5 Broncho, which received clearance in July 2022, will empower thoracic surgeons and interventional pulmonologists in the bronchoscopy suite. Ambu also makes monitors, EEG electrodes, and resuscitators, most notably the Ambu Bag, which celebrated its 65th anniversary in 2021.

Growing single-use endoscopy market

Last year, more than 1.5 million patients were treated with an Ambu single-use endoscope, a reach greater than all other single-use endoscopy competitors combined and a 41 percent increase by volume over the previous year.

The company has been recognized as an innovator and was named to Fast Company’s prestigious annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2022. The Daily Record of Maryland selected Ambu in 2022 as one of 2022’s “Health Care Heroes” honoring individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on the quality of health care within the state.

In 2021, Ambu won recognition for its product innovation and design excellence. It received a Global New Product Innovation Award in the advanced visualization market from Frost & Sullivan, a global consulting firm that honors companies it deems to be at the innovation and growth forefront of their respective industries. Its duodenoscope and cystoscope, meanwhile, were honored with Red Dot design awards, selected by an international jury of 50 specialists from a wide range of business sectors.

Contact information:

North America media

Christian Escobar
Vice President of Marketing - Endoscopy
ches@ambu.com
+1 410 913 2060

Ambu Inc.
6721 Columbia Gateway Drive
Columbia, Maryland, 21045, United States
www.ambuusa.com 

European media 

Tine Bjørn Schmidt
Head of Corporate Communications
tisc@ambu.com
+45 2264 0697

Ambu A/S
Baltorpbakken 13
2750 Ballerup
Denmark
+45 7225 2000
CVR no.: 63 64 49 19
www.ambu.com 

Innovations that make a difference

Ever since 1937, Ambu has been rethinking medical solutions to save lives and improve patient care. Millions of patients and healthcare professionals worldwide depend on the efficiency, safety and performance of our single-use endoscopy, anesthesia, and patient monitoring solutions. 

In the past, we provided a way to maintain or restore breathing in any environment with the world’s first self-inflating resuscitator, the Ambu® Bag™, which is still in use today. More recently, we responded to a need for an endoscopy solution that is always available. The result? Ambu® aScope™, the world’s first sterile, single-use flexible endoscope. 

Today, we continue to collaborate with leading medical experts to deliver innovations that make a real difference to healthcare professionals and their patients. 

At our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, and around the world in Europe, North America and the Asia Pacific, 4,500+ team members keep Ambu moving forward.


About Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures allow the gastroenterologist to visually inspect the upper gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach and duodenum) and the lower bowel (colon and rectum) through an endoscope, a thin, flexible device with a lighted end and a powerful lens system. Endoscopy has been a major advance in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. For example, the use of endoscopes allows the detection of ulcers, cancers, polyps and sites of internal bleeding. Through endoscopy, tissue samples (biopsies) may be obtained, areas of blockage can be opened and active bleeding can be stopped. Polyps in the colon can be removed, which has been shown to prevent colon cancer.

About the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Since its founding in 1941, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) has been dedicated to advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence and innovation in gastrointestinal endoscopy. ASGE, with almost 16,000 members worldwide, promotes the highest standards for endoscopic training and practice, fosters endoscopic research, recognizes distinguished contributions to endoscopy, and is the foremost resource for endoscopic education. Visit Asge.org and ValueOfColonoscopy.org for more information and to find a qualified doctor in your area.

 

American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
3300 Woodcreek Drive Downers Grove, IL 60515
P (630) 573-0600
F (630) 963-8332

Media Contact

Andrea Lee
Director of Marketing and Communications
630.570.5603
ALee@asge.org