Olympus Introduces The First Integrated EndoLAB^TM

- Provides G.I. practices with customizable, end-to-end seamless solutions --- from initial consultation to final installation, complete with financing options

ORLANDO, FL, May 18, 2003 --- Olympus America Inc. today announces the launch of the first integrated G.I. lab, Integrated EndoLAB^TM. Developed in response to the needs of today's innovative G.I. lab, the Olympus Integrated EndoLAB delivers end-to-end customized solutions tailored to a facility's specific G.I. requirements through a seamless acquisition, delivery and installation process, complete with financing options.

To create an Integrated EndoLAB, an Olympus team analyzes a facility's needs, infrastructure and budget to determine the right mix of endoscopy equipment, software, audiovisual integration, and ceiling pendants. Olympus handles everything from the initial consultation to the final installation performed by the company's highly-skilled engineers.

"The Olympus Integrated EndoLAB exemplifies how we listen to our customers and provide solutions that deliver increased efficiencies while enhancing patient care," said David McKinley, group vice president, Olympus Medical Systems Group.

"The collective efforts of all the Olympus engineers, research and development, sales, marketing and education sectors responsible for making the Integrated EndoLAB a reality have given us physicians the best platforms to make new medical breakthroughs for the sake of our patients," said Kenneth Chang, M.D., executive director, Comprehensive Digestive Disease Center, associate professor of medicine, University of California, Irvine.

Olympus Integrated EndoLAB delivers standardization and integration through centralized control of imaging, audio/visual/data communication and documentation equipment. Procedures may be digitally recorded and stored for future viewing locally or via the web. Improved communication paths allow easy distribution of procedural audio, images, and video using the hospital network (IP), ISDN, or the Internet. Real-time capabilities allow leveraging of video conferencing for live telemedicine, telementoring, consulting and education. Touchscreens located in the room, nurse station, or anywhere that control (remote or wired) is desired, ensure ease-of-use and access for all audio, video and environmental equipment, computer information systems, Picture Archival Communications (PACS), and other IT systems from a single location.

For the highest level of system integration, Olympus 160 series endoscopes, powered by the EXERA^TM information and imaging platform, can be combined with EndoWorks®. The next generation of EndoWorks (7.1 due for release in 2003) will be web-based to provide read and write data access anytime and anywhere for increased productivity through automation, along with improved patient care.

About Olympus
Olympus Optical Co., Ltd., with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, is a global leader in developing new technologies and designing, manufacturing and marketing optical-digital product solutions for health care and consumer segments. The company leverages R&D investment in technology and manufacturing processes across diverse business lines that include:

• minimally invasive diagnostic and surgical endoscopes
• advanced clinical and research microscopes
• chemistry-immuno analyzers and lab automation systems
• digital and film cameras, and digital voice recorders

In the U.S. and Canada, Olympus America Inc. serves health care, scientific and commercial laboratory markets with integrated product solutions and financial and other service offerings and is the leading brand in gastrointestinal endoscopy and clinical and educational microscopes. The company's market-leading consumer camera products and services business spans North and South America. Olympus America Inc. works collaboratively with its customers and parent company to develop state-of-the-art products and services that are innovative, intelligent, and easy to use.

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