Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory obtains marketing approval of VISCOCLEAR^Ⓡ, gel to secure the visual field that is used for the endoscope for natural opening

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory, Inc. (Head Office: Naruto, Tokushima, Japan; President and Representative Director: Shinichi Ogasawara; "OPF") has obtained the marketing approval of "VISCOCLEAR_®," gel to secure the visual field used for the endoscope for natural opening¹ which is a medical device on June 19, 2020.

The product is a gel-shaped product with the appropriate viscosity that is used for gastrointestinal endoscopy, procedures and treatment in the digestive tract. It is injected into the digestive tract through an endoscope and improves the poor visual field caused by blood, etc., during endoscopy. It is an innovative medical device without similar products, which was developed based on the reports by Dr. Yano and his group at Jichi Medical University.²

Examinations and treatment using an endoscope that allows direct observation of the digestive tract, etc., from the inside, are commonly performed in medical practice, partly because the physical and mental burden on patients is lower than that using surgical techniques. In order to observe the digestive tract closely with an endoscope, a good visual field is required, but bleeding and food residue may result in a poor visual field. In general, air insufflation and water immersion are performed to make the observation site easier to see. However, it is difficult to secure a good visual field of the observation site when fluid containing blood or blood clots³ has accumulated in the digestive tract or when a large amount of blood is bleeding.

In such a case, by injecting this product in the form of a gel with transparency and the appropriate viscosity through the tip of the endoscope, a transparent space is created on the front surface of the endoscope, thereby securing a good visual field. This will facilitate endoscopic treatment such as hemostasis even in situations where endoscopic treatment has been difficult due to poor visual fields, and it is expected that this will contribute to gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations and treatment.

OPF will continue to promote research and development in the area of surgical aid medicine and aim to contribute to medical care by creating innovative products.

Based on the corporate philosophy of "Otsuka-people creating new products for better health worldwide," the Otsuka Group is dedicated to contributing to the health of people around the world.

¹A natural opening in the human body, such as the mouth or nose.

²Tomonori Yano et al.: Gastrointest Endosc. 2016 Apr;83(4):809-11. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2015.09.048.

³A mass of blood formed when platelets, proteins, and cells in the blood adhere together.