Research and Development

"Olympus—Forging Dreams, Delivering Peace of Mind"

Olympus has engaged in a broad range of technological development toward the end of giving shape to the dreams and feelings of our customers. The Corporate R&D Center supports technological development for all Olympus operations, and drives product innovation with an eye toward new technological development and promotion over the next ten years—with digital imaging technologies and medical system as well as life science diagnosis/treatment technologies as the linchpins.

* Product innovation: The development of original technologies linked to future commercialization/product development

We incorporate an integrated balance of advanced and basic technologies such as optical technology, precision technology, electronic and imaging technology, biomechanical and biological fundamental technology, simulation technology, software technology, and the like, leading to the differentiated products of the next generation.

Development of Next-Generation Products in Collaboration with Individual Business Organizations

"Developing user- and environment-friendly products."
The Corporate R&D Center also engages in technological development for next-generation products in line with each business section's product strategies.
The OLYMPUS PEN series of interchangeable lens digital cameras are notable examples. These products are equipped with a host of technologies including image sensors and image processing engines developed by the R&D Center. TruePic V, a new image processing engine that maximizes the capacity of a newly developed high-performance sensor and high-resolution lens, realizes rich and transparent natural color. Aiming to address the major issue of reducing the environmental burden of all its business activities, Olympus endeavors to develop next-generation products by leveraging the cutting-edge technologies of the R&D Center and the technological know-how of each business segment.

Bringing Joy and Moving People through Imaging Technologies

Through stunning photos, we aim to move those who take photos as well as those who appreciate them—based on this sentiment, we develop leading edge algorithms and imaging devices, and strive to improve image processing capabilities. One example is i-FINISH image processing, which enables you to take photos that are even more moving. i-FINISH was developed through analysis of the relationship between brain activity and emotions when people looked at photos.

Minimally Invasive Medical Technologies—First Foray for Olympus

“Bring technologies that benefit people into the world.” One of the most important roles of the Corporate R&D Center is creating totally new technologies and developing them as new business operations. Osferion bone replacement material is one example of such development. Created at the Corporate R&D Center and developed through Olympus Terumo Biomaterials Corp. operations, this product is currently available on the global market. Likewise, the bone morphogenetic protein OP-1, which promotes bone regeneration, is sold on the global market by Olympus Biotech. By combining Osferion biomedical materials and OP-1 bone promotion technology, we are striving to implement revolutionary medical treatment safely promoting bone regeneration. Further, as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has a vascular proliferation effect as well as a basic fibroblast growth effect, there is anticipation that it will be useful in treating a broad range of diseases. Clinical development is currently underway in Europe with the goal of treating diabetic ulcers. Biomedical materials such as Osferion and growth factors such as OP-1 and bFGF and the like use the natural healing abilities that humans have for medical treatment, and they are significant basic technologies in regenerative medicine. We are also pursuing research in collaboration with universities on minimally invasive medical treatments that are favorable for both doctor and patient, such as the intelligent robotics technology. Enabling doctors to operate surgical devices introduced inside the patient’s body by using a control device, the robotics technology allows for more precise operations and keeps incisions to a minimum.

Life Science Technologies Designed to Shed Light on Life Phenomena

We are conducting research using visualization molecular imaging technology that makes only cancerous cells fluoresce, 3D scanning technology for living cells, and the like, to enable advanced diagnosis. Through such initiatives, Olympus is building closer relationship with medical and research institutes to contribute to medical progress and human health. Leveraging ultra-fine processing technology, MEMS are used in such diverse key devices as mirrors for laser scanning microscopes and needles to realize highly efficient gene transfer.

The goal of the Corporate R&D Center is to plant the seeds of dreams by way of breakthrough ideas and technologies, and to foster significant growth. We aim to have dreams take shape as new technological developments going forward, and to cultivate a vivid future for all to enjoy.