Olympus Corporation has launched the NBI+TXI observation mode, which integrates Narrow Band Imaging and Texture and Color Enhancement Imaging into a single view for the EVIS X1 endoscopy system. Sales of the system featuring this combined imaging mode will begin in Japan in November 2025, with launches in other regions to follow pending local regulatory approvals.
The development represents a significant advancement in endoscopic imaging technology with potential implications for cancer detection and treatment outcomes. According to 2021 statistics from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, colorectal cancer has the highest incidence rate among all cancers in Japan with 154,585 cases, followed by lung cancer (124,531 cases) and stomach cancer (112,881 cases). These cancers also rank among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, with lung cancer first (75,762 deaths), colorectal cancer second (53,131 deaths), and stomach cancer fourth (38,771 deaths).
The NBI+TXI mode enhances the EVIS X1 endoscopy system's diagnostic capabilities by improving brightness correction and contrast information of NBI mode. This enables clearer visualization in darker image areas and sharper definition of vascular and mucosal patterns, potentially contributing to improved detection and diagnostic accuracy for lesions, including those associated with cancers.
NBI mode, first introduced globally in 2006, revolutionized endoscopic imaging by improving visibility of features previously difficult to detect. The CV-1500 video system center incorporates the latest NBI mode with improved brightness compared to the original version. TXI mode, introduced with the CV-1500, further improves lesion visibility through image enhancement technology when used with conventional light observation.
TXI mode supports better visibility of potential and existing lesions, such as areas of inflammation, flat or depressed lesions, or tiny precursor lesions, by enhancing texture, brightness and color to define subtle tissue differences more clearly. NBI mode creates strong contrast between vessels and surrounding mucosa using specific blue and green wavelengths, supporting earlier lesion detection and providing more detailed, higher-contrasted visualization.
Kurt Heine, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Gastroenterology at Olympus, emphasized that early detection improves patient care and outcomes. The company's commitment to providing advanced endoscopic imaging helps physicians clearly visualize the GI tract and provide timely diagnoses and treatment. Physicians attending the Japan Digestive Disease Week scheduled for October 30–November 1, 2025 at the Kobe Convention Center will have the opportunity to see the combined NBI+TXI imaging mode firsthand. For more information about Olympus and its medical technology innovations, visit https://www.olympus-global.com/.
