Olympus Endoscopy Towers: Components and Configuration
Equipment Guide · Silo Endoscopy · Colombia 2026
Olympus endoscopy towers: components, configuration, and how to set up your service
The Olympus endoscopy tower integrates a processor, light source, monitor, CO₂ insufflator, recorder, and cart into a turnkey system — a complete guide to setting up your endoscopy room with EVIS EXERA III or EVIS X1
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GSMED Imaging technical team — authorized Olympus Colombia distributors
Based on official Olympus Medical technical documentation (EVIS EXERA III, EVIS X1, EndoAlpha), endoscopic tower mounting specifications, and endoscopy service installation experience in Colombia 2026.
When a doctor talks about "the endoscopy tower," they are referring to the integrated set of equipment that makes a complete endoscopic procedure possible — not just the endoscope and the processor, but the entire system that includes a monitor, light source, insufflator, recorder, and the cart that integrates them in the room. This guide explains each component of the Olympus tower and how to set it up correctly for your service.
1. What is an endoscopy tower
An endoscopy tower is a wheeled metal cart (usually made of stainless steel and aluminum) on which all the electronic equipment necessary to perform an endoscopy is rack-mounted: the video processor, light source, CO₂ insufflator, video recorder, monitor, and documentation system. The tower integrates everything into a portable system that can be moved between rooms if necessary.
6–8
Typical components of a complete Olympus endoscopy tower
27"
Recommended minimum medical monitor size for HD endoscopy
CO₂
CO₂ insufflator instead of air — current standard for comfortable colonoscopy
DICOM
Connectivity standard that integrates the tower with the hospital's PACS and EHR
2. The components of the Olympus tower — one by one
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Video processor (CV-190 / CV-1500)
The most important component — it processes the signal from the endoscope's CCD camera and generates the image on the monitor. The CV-190 (EVIS EXERA III) generates 1080p HD image with NBI. The CV-1500 (EVIS X1) generates 4K image with NBI + TXI. The processor also controls the water insufflator and image modes. It is mounted on the top or middle of the cart.
→ CV-190 (HD/NBI) · CV-1500 (4K/TXI) · Standard rack slot
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Light source (CLV-190 / CLV-1500)
Generates the light that travels through the endoscope's light cable to the distal tip. The CLV-190 uses a 300W xenon bulb with a life of ~500 hours (mandatory periodic replacement). The CLV-1500 uses high-power LED technology with a life of >30,000 hours without replacement. It connects to the endoscope via the endoscope's universal umbilical connector.
→ CLV-190 (xenon) · CLV-1500 (LED) · Light cable integrated into the endoscope
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High-definition medical monitor
The monitor of the endoscopy tower must be a certified medical monitor — not a consumer television. Medical monitors have anti-glare treatment for illuminated clinical environments, certified color calibration, ultra-low response time for real-time imaging, and certification for use in a medical environment. For EVIS EXERA III: minimum 27" HD. For EVIS X1: minimum 31" 4K. Olympus offers WM-NX100 (27", HD) and WM-NX200 (31", 4K) monitors.
→ 27" HD (EXERA III) · 31" 4K (EVIS X1) · Mandatory medical certification
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CO₂ insufflator (UCR / MAJ-1726)
Insufflates CO₂ instead of atmospheric air during colonoscopy and gastroscopy. CO₂ is absorbed 150 times faster than air through the intestinal mucosa — patients have significantly less post-procedure abdominal distension. The 2014 ESGE guidelines recommend CO₂ for all colonoscopies. It connects to a medical CO₂ cylinder. The Olympus UCR insufflator is the platform standard.
→ ESGE standard · Less post-procedure distension · Medical CO₂ cylinder
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Video recorder / documentation system
Records the entire procedure video in HD and captures still images that are automatically saved with the patient data. It can be a dedicated HD recorder (Olympus MAJ-2020) or the integrated EndoAlpha system that also manages the data flow to the PACS and electronic health record. Visual documentation is an ethical and medico-legal requirement in modern endoscopy.
→ HD video · Automatic captures · DICOM · PACS
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Water pump (OFP-2)
Washing pump that injects water through the endoscope's water channel to clean the distal tip lens when it is dirty during the procedure (bile, blood, mucosa residues). It is also used to inject water into the colon when colonoscopy with water-assisted insertion is performed. The Olympus OFP-2 is the platform standard.
→ Lens washing · Water-assisted insertion (WAC) · OFP-2
3. The endoscopy cart — types and configurations
| Configuration | Components | Ideal for | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic diagnostic tower | Processor + Light source + Monitor + CO₂ insufflator + Cart | Low to medium volume diagnostic endoscopy · Office · Small clinic | USD 55,000–75,000 |
| Complete tower with documentation | All the above + HD recorder + Water pump + Documentation system | Complete hospital endoscopy service · Medium and high volume | USD 75,000–100,000 |
| Advanced therapeutic tower | Complete tower + Endoscopic electrosurgery unit (ERBE high-frequency generator or ESG-400) + Argon plasma | Therapeutic endoscopy: polypectomy, hemostasis, ESD, POEM | USD 100,000–140,000 |
| EndoAlpha (integrated room) | All components integrated into a room management system with a central touch panel | High complexity endoscopy room with complete digital integration | USD 140,000–200,000+ |
4. EndoAlpha — the integrated Olympus endoscopy room
What is the Olympus EndoAlpha system EndoAlpha is the Olympus endoscopy room integration system — a central touch panel from which the endoscopist or nursing staff controls all the room components: turns the processor on and off, adjusts the monitor brightness, controls the CO₂ insufflator, accesses patient data, starts the recording and captures images, all without touching the individual equipment. EndoAlpha reduces setup times between procedures, improves operator ergonomics, and generates automatic time-stamped procedure records. It is available for installation with EVIS EXERA III and EVIS X1.
5. Frequently asked questions about Olympus endoscopy towers
How much physical space does an Olympus endoscopy tower occupy in the room?
A standard Olympus endoscopy cart occupies approximately 60–70 cm wide × 70 cm deep × 160–180 cm high (including the monitor). The cart has locking casters to fix the position during the procedure and swivel casters for maneuverability. An endoscopy room of at least 15–20 m² is recommended for the cart, the endoscopy table, space for the endoscopist and nursing staff, and space for the safe transport of the endoscope without excessive tension on the insertion tube.
Can the Olympus tower be assembled with equipment from other brands?
Yes, with nuances. The physical cart can be from any manufacturer — there are neutral stainless steel carts that accept equipment from any brand. The medical monitor can be from brands like Barco, NDS, or Sony as long as it meets the resolution and medical certification requirements. The CO₂ insufflator can be from other brands (Bracco, Endo-Flex). What cannot be from another brand are the CV-190/CV-1500 processor (Olympus specific) and the endoscopes (compatible only with the corresponding Olympus processor). The high-frequency generator for therapeutic endoscopy can be ERBE (the most used in Colombia) or the Olympus ESG-400.
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