The Natural Orifice Surgery Consortium for Assessment and Research (NOSCAR), a joint effort of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), announced Olympus' continuing commitment to funding research in an emerging transdisciplinary therapy known as Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES), with a $500,000 grant to the existing Olympus Research Fund supporting NOTES research. The grant increases Olympus' total funding to $1 million. NOTES, which is performed by using the patient's natural openings for surgery.

"The Olympus Research Fund established in 2007 has already supported nine studies producing results that are advancing the understanding and applications of this fascinating and innovative technique," said Haruhito Morishima, president, Olympus Medical Systems Corporation. "As the world's leader in endoscopy, we are proud to continue our support of NOTES research, an approach that could ultimately represent a major paradigm shift in minimally invasive therapy."

This fund was established with an initial $500,000 grant from Olympus. Though studies from this grant are ongoing, one of the nine studies that has been completed is expected to be published in two peer-reviewed journals. Researchers will learn more about these studies at the upcoming NOTES conference.

"NOTES is moving forward more rapidly than initially expected," said Robert H Hawes, FASGE, ASGE past president and NOSCAR Joint Committee co-chair. "Three years ago, we never anticipated the progress in the research arena that has been made in such a short period. Thanks to leaders such as Olympus, we are making great strides in NOTES technology." NOSCAR received more than 40 requests for funding from this new Olympus grant. NOSCAR will determine the grant recipients in mid-July. A listing of those who received funding will be posted to www.noscar.org.

"We are most grateful to Olympus for its ongoing commitment and vision in supporting NOTES research," said David W Rattner, SAGES past president and NOSCAR joint committee co-chair.

Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) might represent the next major advancement in minimally invasive therapy. To address this emerging technology, a working group consisting of expert laparoscopic surgeons from SAGES and a group of expert interventional endoscopists representing ASGE have joined together as the Natural Orifice Surgery Consortium for Assessment and Research (NOSCAR) Working Group on NOTES.

Founded in 1941, the mission of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy is to be the leader in advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence in gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Olympus developed the first gastrocamera in 1950, and has since developed a wide range of fiberscopes and videoscopes for direct internal observation of the human body.