JointVenture

Philips & Hansen Medical to Integrate X-ray Imaging & Robotic Catheter

Royal Philips Electronics and Hansen Medical, Inc have signed joint development and co-operation agreements to co-develop integrated products that may simplify complex cardiac procedures to diagnose and treat irregular heartbeats, also known as arrhythmias.

Cardiac arrhythmias can drastically reduce the quality of life and can also lead to serious health risks including heart failure and stroke. Nearly 550,000 new patients are diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmias in the US each year and arrhythmias cause approximately 250,000 deaths annually according to the Heart Rhythm Foundation and the American College of Cardiology. The condition also affects over 4.5 million people in Europe.

The agreements will enable the creation of integrated product solutions by combining Philips' Allura Xper X-Ray system with Hansen Medical's Sensei Robotic Catheter System. The resulting innovations will seek to enable electrophysiologists to perform complex procedures with greater confidence and improved efficiency.

"This agreement is an important step in the development of our dedicated electrophysiology business program," said Gerard Winkels, Vice President and General Manager, Electrophysiology for Philips Healthcare.

"We are very pleased about the relationship we have with Philips," said Gary Restani, president and COO of Hansen Medical.The Sensei system allows physicians to place mapping catheters in hard-to-reach anatomical locations within the heart easily, accurately and with stability during cardiac arrhythmia procedures.

The Philips' integrated EP lab system combines the proven Allura Xper X-Ray family with specifically designed innovations like EP cockpit and EP navigator to improve the lab environment, facilitating complex procedures and integrating the EP workflow process.

EH News Bureau