Minimally-invasive procedures are increasingly replacing more costly open surgery, particularly in oncology, cardiology and women's health applications. With a global market for image-guided navigation expected to reach $600 million by 2015, clinicians are embracing the advantages offered by minimally-invasive procedures, including shorter patient recovery times, greater patient comfort and faster patient throughput.
On display at this year's Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting, Royal Philips Electronics ( PHG, AEX: PHI) is highlighting its portfolio in the field of interventional radiology/oncology. The company is developing innovative image-guidance technologies for increasing the range and quality of minimally-invasive interventions and therapies. Philips is also working on solutions to integrate images from different sources into a single, combined image, as well as to add navigational information of instruments to these images. This increases the confidence of interventional clinicians in clinical decision making and ultimately helps improve patient care.
"Across most surgical disciplines, minimally-invasive methods are becoming the standard since the procedures can help reduce overall healthcare costs and improve efficiencies," said Bert van Meurs, senior vice president of Interventional X-ray, for Philips Healthcare. "However, this growth requires a significant amount of knowledge as techniques and technologies evolve. Built upon our strengths in advanced imaging and long history in collaborative partnerships, Philips is committed to delivering image-guided interventions and therapy solutions that help ease the demands of complex procedures."
Streamlining clinician workload with integrated interventional solutions
Allura Xper FD20
Ensuring maximum uptime of interventional vascular X-ray systems is key to maintaining a smooth clinical workflow. For new and existing customers, the Allura Xper FD20 combines a full range of advanced interventional tools and seamless multi-modality cath lab integration. It also offers a balance between superb image quality and low X-ray dose during lengthy procedures. The system is upgradable, offering access to the latest clinical and service innovations as part of the lifetime Philips commitment.
The Allura Xper system has advanced optional tools to support image-guided procedures. The MR/CT Roadmap feature allows clinicians to synchronize live fluoroscopy with previously
Acquired MRA/CTA datasets to help reduce contrast media use and X-ray dose compared to standard 2D or 3D navigation. XperGuide can also overlay live fluoroscopy on MR/CT images for needle image guidance. Ultrasound access and use is also improved with the launch of the integrated CX50 system, combining superb image quality with full data, user interface and video integration. With the CX50's portability, physicians in the cath lab can control the CX50 from the Allura Xper FD tableside module, and view images directly on interventional exam room monitors.
Finally, Philips introduces DoseAware, delivering real-time visualization, display and tracking of clinical staff X-ray dose to help healthcare professionals performing potentially lengthy interventional procedures and manage their exposure on the spot.
Expanding clinical capabilities
PercuNav Image Fusion and Instrument Navigation
Earlier this year Philips acquired Traxtal and its innovative portfolio of minimally-invasive instruments and software for image-guided intervention and therapy. PercuNav functions as a GPS for medical instruments, which further strengthens Philips' family of recognized interventional solutions.
On display at this year's RSNA, PercuNav is integrated into the Philips interventional suite of products, striving to improve accuracy for interventional radiology procedures while seeking to reduce contrast, radiation dose and interventional CT time. The system provides three-dimensional visualization and navigation tools to guide instruments to desired targets, even when the target is hard to see or difficult to reach. Philips PercuNav tracks the tips of flexible and rigid instruments while inside the patient and displays the instrument position, orientation and trajectory on pre-procedure and intra-procedure images. The system can also generate and display fused multi-modality images to leverage the combined advantages of resolution, contrast and real-time feedback from different modalities.
In addition to interventional procedures such as biopsy and ablation, PercuNav's image fusion and visualization can be used to enhance diagnostic imaging studies by synchronizing stored images with real-time ultrasound.
Brilliance iCT Interventional Tools
A new suite of interventional tools on the Brilliance iCT enables CT-guided procedures on one of the industry's fastest and most powerful CT scanner platforms. With Brilliance iCT's new 3.0 software release, Philips offers two unique packages to facilitate interventional procedures in the CT gantry room -- Continuous CT (CCT) and CT Fluoroscopy.
Continuous CT biopsy mode enables the clinician to perform gantry room scans using a foot pedal to keep their hands free to focus on the procedure and includes a remote monitor for viewing. Adhering to Philips' DoseWise design philosophy, each exposure is a 240° axial scan centered beneath the patient to shield the clinician's hands from direct X-ray exposure. CT Fluoroscopy provides real-time guidance for interventional procedures (up to eight frames per second). Exposure time and dose displays keep the interventional radiologist aware of exposure levels throughout the procedure while viewing a single-fused image. All of the Philips CT interventional packages are available with cart or ceiling-mounted display monitors and can be configured on new or previously installed Brilliance iCT scanners.
Investigating new interventional devices
Sonalleve MR- Guided HIFU Fibroid Therapy System (Investigational Device)
The Philips Sonalleve MR-HIFU is being investigated for the non-invasive treatment of uterine fibroids. The procedure involves volumetric heating with real-time feedback for high procedural efficiency combined with a short procedure time. The Sonalleve MR-HIFU system is currently installed at 16 sites in the U.S., Europe and Asia for research purposes, with several sites conducting clinical trials for uterine fibroid therapy.
Research collaboration to develop future solutions
As global growth in minimally-invasive interventions continues, Philips will further foster research with clinical partners into new minimally-invasive systems and develop future solutions that encompass, for example, targeted drug delivery in combination with Philips' imaging technologies. By addressing care from prevention to early detection, diagnostics and targeted therapy, clinicians will be empowered to deliver better care and ultimately better patient outcomes.
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