Techno-Med
A Special Feature on Medical Equipment Technology

“We continue to contribute new developments in endoscopy”

When Peter Laser, joined Karl Storz five years back as the Managing Director of the company, there was a lot to be done. The state-of-the-art infrastructure he has built for the organisation is definitely commendable. Reliable services and good customer relationship are just a mention of the pillars he has added for the organisation to stand upon.

The name Karl Storz is inseparably linked to pioneering developments in the field of endoscopy. Incorporated in 1945, Karl Storz Group has spent the last 50 years working to further develop endoscopic technology. Karl Storz India, a wholly owned subsidiary of Karl Storz group, was established on 2nd February, 1998 at Delhi, with an idea to further and meet the business interests and needs of the organisation in the Indian Region. Main objectives are to provide marketing and technical support, training, practical and feasible solutions in the local context, service support with minimum possible cost and machine down time to the Indian clients.

What have been the achievements of Karl Storz relative to the field of endoscopy?

The achievements made over this stretch of years represent an essential contribution to the important position the diagnostic and operative endoscopy enjoys today. In particular the developments in the cold light source and the introduction of the HOPKINS(r) rod lens optics solved two of the fundamental problems. These long standing problems inhibited the wide use of endoscopy, the transmission of sufficient light into the body and the capture and transmission of realistic images from the body.

How did Karl Storz overcome the hurdle of long standing problem?

In the years that followed, Karl Storz continued to contribute revolutionary new developments to the progress in endoscopy, and thus helped write a chapter in medical history. The ever-growing worldwide demand for the company products remains an eloquent testimonial to the name of Karl Storz, today considered a name synonymous with innovation and quality.

Can you enumerate the step-wise advancements in brief?

In 1960, Karl Storz recognised the fact that by using a remote light source a fibre optic cable could transmit light through an endoscope to the examination site. This discovery heralded the birth of cold light endoscopy This was a revolutionary achievement and a patent was granted for the invention. The new method made the fragile, heat emitting incandescent bulb mounted on the distal tip of endoscope, obsolete. The invented unit made the capturing of diagnostic findings in images of unprecedented quality, possible. Moreover, this could be done with little stress on the patient. This was when Karl Storz built the first extracorporeal electronic flash. In 1965, two pioneers of endoscopy, Prof Harald H Hopkins and Dr Karl Storz, commenced a beneficial union that would span decades. The invention of HOPKINS(r) rod lens system marked the most important breakthrough in optics since the development of conventional lens system by Max Nitze in 1879.

Dr Karl Storz recognised that the new lens system would become the system of future, one that would meet the most demanding requirements of medical diagnostics. The system delivered images of superb brilliance, contrast and accurate representation. In addition, the physics of rod lens optics allowed for a reduction in the diameter of the endoscope. The subsequent introduction of the HOPKINS II(r) telescope further improved the quality set by the original.

Can you elaborate on the unique operating system offered by Karl Storz?

Keeping pace with the changing needs of the medical industry and making the best use of IT revolution, in the year 2001 Karl Storz decided to integrate its products through a computerised operating system and developed operating room systems. The OR1 system Karl Storz is an integrated Operating room designed to meet the needs of the surgeons, nurses, patients and administrators. It is a modular, custom designed system that can vary in features, complexity, and integration based on the requirements of each hospital. The system is receiving an encouraging response from medical institutions worldwide and already more than 100 systems have been installed.

Can you give an overview of Karl Storz India?

Since July 1st, 1998 Karl Storz India is also responsible for the sale and service of products for industrial endoscopy and ESWL in India. At present Karl Storz India team consists of 26 members which includes highly technical engineers and qualified support staff. Infrastructure includes service centre equipped with ultra modern facilities, training centre capable to meet the needs of medical industry, spacious go-down designed to accommodate highly sophisticated equipment/instruments, instrument sterilisation and cleaning rooms.

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