May 19, 2008 – Olympus Medical Systems Corp. and Spiration, Inc. announced today that the companies have signed a definitive agreement granting Olympus exclusive marketing and distribution rights in Europe for Spiration's IBV® Valve System. Olympus will launch the product in select European countries from Autumn 2008. The IBV Valve System is a minimally invasive treatment that has diverse applications for both acute and chronic conditions of the lung. 
In Europe, the system has received market clearance through CE Mark for diseased and damaged lung, a broad indication that includes the treatment of emphysema and the resolution of prolonged air leaks, a complication that can occur following lung surgery... Olympus Medical Systems' Press Release - [PDF] Spiration's Press Release -
