Press information
April 29, 2015
Philips launches innovative 3D navigation system to enhance minimally invasive
treatment of vascular disease
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VesselNavigator has been designed for use in conjunction with Philips interventional X-ray
systems to guide catheters during treatment of vascular disease
Major reduction of contrast medium (70%) demonstrated in clinical study, enabling
minimally invasive treatment of aortic aneurysms in the fast growing number of patients
currently unable to benefit from minimally-invasive techniques
Amsterdam, the Netherlands – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) today announced the
launch of VesselNavigator*, its latest innovation in live 3D catheter navigation to guide the
minimally invasive treatment of patients with vascular diseases such as aortic aneurysms
(ballooning of the aorta). This new catheter navigation solution, designed for use in conjunction
with Philips’ interventional X-ray systems, enhances the precision and accuracy of stent
placement, while at the same time significantly reducing contrast medium usage. As a result,
minimally invasive treatment options will be available to patients previously unable to benefit
from new image-guided intervention techniques.
Developed in collaboration with clinical partners such as the University Hospital Cologne
(Germany) and the University Hospital Ghent (Belgium), VesselNavigator complements Philips’
current image-guided therapy portfolio within the field of endovascular and hybrid suite
solutions. It addresses the need for advanced 3D live-image guidance solutions, as the
treatment for vascular disease is experiencing a major transition from open surgery to minimally
invasive procedures, with such procedure volumes growing at high single-digit rates.
During endovascular procedures a catheter is maneuvered, with the aid of image guidance,
through major arteries or veins in order to locally position and deploy implants such as stents to
reinforce the wall of the affected blood vessel. Using conventional 2D X-ray image guidance,
clinicians often perceive the visualization of the vessel anatomy during these procedures as if a
dimension is missing, adding to procedure complexity. Many are more familiar with open
surgery, during which they can physically see and touch the blood vessels they are trying to
repair. VesselNavigator brings back the 3D anatomy they were used to seeing in open surgery.
VesselNavigator can be used for all types of endovascular procedures, but one of its key
applications is guidance during the treatment of aortic aneurysms, which if left untreated could
lead to severe complications such as massive internal bleeding. At the location of the aneurysm,
the aorta often has smaller side branches, such as those that supply blood to the patient’s
kidneys. Custom-made stents are therefore often made with dedicated openings that need to
be precisely registered with these feeding vessels in order to repair the aorta and maintain
critical blood flow to other abdominal organs. With conventional X-ray imaging it is very
challenging to position the stent in the precise orientation. Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair
is therefore a very complex procedure, and the more time it takes, the more contrast medium is
needed for X-ray visualization and guidance in order to succeed.
VesselNavigator fuses live interventional X-ray images with pre-acquired 3D MRI or CT images of
the patient’s vascular structures. The resulting 3D color-coded images of the vessels provide
enhanced real-time visual guidance, making it easier to maneuver through the vascular network
without the need to enhance the X-ray visualization with the repeated use of an injected
contrast medium. In recent studies, VesselNavigator has been shown to reduce contrast
medium usage by 70% 1 and procedure times by 18%2 , contributing to more patient friendly,
more efficient and more cost effective treatment of vascular conditions.
“VesselNavigator gives vascular surgeons during endovascular procedures the 3D view of the
patient’s anatomy, which they are familiar with from open surgery. It also significantly reduces
the amount of contrast medium required, which means a lesser burden on the kidneys. And
with a growing population of elderly and diabetic people who suffer from poor kidney function,
reducing contrast medium requirements will open up endovascular treatments to a wider range
of patients,” says Professor Dr. Frank Vermassen, Head of Vascular and Thoracic Surgery at
University Hospital Ghent.
“The strong growth in image-guided therapy procedures is driven by the significant benefits they
offer for healthcare systems and patients, including reduced patient trauma, shorter hospital
stays, and lower health care costs,” said Bert van Meurs, General Manager Image Guided
Therapy at Philips. “It is an area where technology innovation and clinical innovation go hand in
hand. VesselNavigator shows our commitment to – in close collaboration with leading clinical
and industrial partners – advance the development of innovative technologies that enable less
invasive, more accurate and localized therapies.”
VesselNavigator joins Philips’ extensive portfolio of live, 3D image-guided navigation solutions
for image-guided minimally invasive therapies. This portfolio also includes HeartNavigator and
EchoNavigator for structural heart disease repairs, EP Navigator for cardiac electrophysiology
interventions, and EmboGuide to support tumor embolization in cancer treatment. Philips’
leading position in image-guided therapies was recently further enhanced by the acquisition of
Volcano Corporation, a global leader in catheter-based imaging and measurement solutions for
cardiovascular applications.
* Not available for sale in the U.S. – pending 510(k) clearance
1
2
Ref Pubmed: Tacher et al; J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2013 Nov;24(11):1698-706
Ref Pubmed: Sailer et al; Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. 2014 Apr;47(4):349-56
For further information, please contact:
Steve Klink
Group Communications
Tel.: +31 6 10 8888 24
E-mail: steve.klink@philips.com
Joost Maltha
Philips Healthcare Benelux
Tel.: +31 6 10 55 8116
E-mail: joost.maltha@philips.com
About Royal Philips
Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on
improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer
Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2014 sales of EUR 21.4
billion and employs approximately 105,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100
countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy
efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming
and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.