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Startup Zsquare has reaped yet another accolade for its single-use endoscope technology, this time from the German Design Council, which has named it a winner in the 2022 German Innovation Awards. In November, Zsquare received a CES 2022 Innovation Award from the massive consumer electronics event. Prior to that, it was named a winner in the design concept/life science category of the prestigious reddot awards and earned silver in the medical/dental category of the Edison Awards, alongside medtech behemoths Boston Scientific and Zimmer Biomet.
The reason for the recognition is twofold.
First, the Israel-based company has developed a scalable platform for transmitting high-resolution images thanks to a patented polymer-based fiber that enables miniaturization of the component’s diameter without adversely affecting image resolution.
Second, the same imaging core adapts to various endoscopic applications via indication-specific single-use shells designed for ENT, bronchoscopy, duodenoscopy, urology, gynecology, and other procedures. The single-use nature of the shell has drawn particular attention in the wake of patient infections and, in some cases, deaths caused by re-usable duodenoscopes that had not been properly sterilized.
The platform relies on single-use shells that put an end to the risk of infection, said Zsquare in the May 24 news release. In addition to providing better patient outcomes, the technology brings significant savings to healthcare systems, enhanced usability and diagnostic quality, and wider accessibility of endoscopic procedures, said the company.
The ultra-thin polymer fiber reportedly allows access to anatomical sites that were formerly unreachable. Miniaturization of the device has not affected the quality of the high-resolution images, according to the company.
"Our technology enables, for the first time ever, the dramatic reduction of the optical component's diameter, improving image quality to achieve never-before-seen visuals,” said Zsquare CEO Asaf Shahmoon, PhD, in accepting the German Innovation Award. “We are very proud to be recognized for our achievements, and more importantly, are anticipating the impact we can have on patient care as this tool is adopted in clinical settings."
Zsquare also recently secured $15 million in funding for the pilot launch of its single-use ENT endoscope. Funds have been allocated to boost R&D production with the plan to expand into other health indications, reports sister publication MD+DI. The pilot launch is expected in the third quarter of 2022, pending FDA approval.
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