2017 ESP Award Winner: Olympus PK AIM

In the November/December 2017 issue of Surgical Products, the winners of this year’s Excellence In Surgical Products (ESP) Awards are revealed. 

Day by day, we’ll also share the results here, including some additional details about the honored products.

Category: INSTRUMENTATION

OLYMPUS PK AIM

PK AIM is the first ever 2-in-1 device that combines the performance of both advanced bipolar forceps and traditional monopolar functionality. This device was conceptualized by the Olympus Surgical Technologies of America (OSTA) Surgical Discovery Team via extensive observation and interviews with surgeons and staff across a wide range of procedures.

The team discovered a specific unmet need that consistently plagued surgeons and staff alike: the exchange of multiple devices throughout the course of a procedure for various purposes was constant and detracted from the surgical flow of the case while also adding time (and often frustration) to the procedure.

Olympus offered more information on the PK AIM.

What sets this product apart from others available in the industry?

As the only 2-in-1 advanced bipolar and monopolar hybrid device, PK AIM provides surgeons with the ability to mobilize target anatomy, transect tissue, and seal and cut vessels (up to and including 3 mm), tissue bundles, and lymphatics with precision and control.

PK AIM provides improved operating efficiency over alternative devices that do not integrate the 5-in-1 functionality of grasping, dissecting, coagulating, cutting, and sealing. Fewer instrument exchanges can help decrease procedure time and allows the surgeon to focus on the surgical site. The integrated advanced bipolar energy in PK AIM can also reduce the need for clips and sutures, further helping to reduce procedure time.

How does this product benefit the surgical team and aid in better outcomes?

PK AIM was designed, developed and evaluated by surgeons from around the world and the feedback pointed to this device being especially valuable to surgeons performing procedures that required cutting, dissecting, coagulating, grasping and vessel sealing. PK AIM’s multi-functionality can help increase procedural efficiencies which may result in decreased procedure time and overall cost savings to the hospital.