Now, the iLab ultrasound can be directly installed into the cardiac catherization lab or radiology suite alongside the GE Innova X-ray System, enabling physicians to more readily incorporate IVUS technology into their procedures. IVUS is a tiny catheter that is inserted into the heart or into a vessel where high-frequency sound waves reflect off tissue or vessel walls. The reflected sound waves create a cross-sectional image from within the vessel or heart to aid in visualizing vessel and heart structures. IVUS is an important tool in determining treatment options because it is designed to offer a more complete picture from inside the artery or vessel and helps to optimize stent outcomes.

Hensen Medical Inc.


Customers can now benefit from improved workflow in the EP and cath labs due to compatibility between GE's Innova cardiovascular imaging systems and Hansen Medical Systems' robotic navigation technology, GE said.

Hansen's Sensei robotic catheter system is a robotic navigation system that enables clinicians to place mapping catheters in hard-to-reach anatomical locations within the heart, so that even complex cardiac arrhythmia procedures can be performed accurately and easily.

The Innova and Sensei systems are at work in conjunction with Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital. Other hospitals will be able to purchase the robotic catheter system now that it has passed muster with those Harvard cardiologists.

"The workflow is much improved and the compatibility has been seamless," said Dr. Laurence Epstein, director of Brigham and Women's Electrophysiology Lab. "Combining the imaging excellence of Innova with the precision guidance of Hansen's robotics is truly helping us maximize patient care and minimize procedure time," Dr. Epstein says.

Radi Medical Systems

To expand its compatibility with the industry leaders of FFR technology, GE Healthcare has announced a partnership with Radi Medical Systems (Uppsala, Sweden).

"Combining the strength of GE's Mac-Lab IT homodynamic recording cardiovascular platform and the performance of Radi's Pressurewire Aeris in the assessment of FFR, has great clinical potential," said Pascale Witz, vice president of GE Healthcare's Interventional Cardiology business. "We're pleased to enter into a relationship that expands the clinical capabilities of our systems with new possibilities."

Philips Opens Advanced Healthcare Technology Factory in Brazil

Meanwhile, at a conference gala, Royal Philips Electronics celebrated the opening of its first Magnetic Resonance manufacturing facility in Latin America, previously reported in DOTmed News.

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