Esaote North America has obtained marketing approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for its Virtual Navigator fusion imaging technology for ultrasound.

The Virtual Navigator fusion imaging technology, which works with a wide selection of transducers, provides the ability to fuse real-time ultrasound images with magnetic resonance, computed tomography, positron emission tomography, or 3D Ultrasound.

Virtual Navigator software option is currently approved for use with Esaote’s MyLab Twice system. This technology is intended to support a clinical radiological ultrasound exam and follow a percutaneous procedure by providing additional information from a second imaging modality.

Esaote North America’s fusion imaging technology is particularly useful for liver and other abdominal interventions. It can also be used for gynecologic, musculoskeletal, obstetric, urologic, peripheral vascular and transcranial radiologic exams.

Virtual Navigator features fast image registration, intelligent positioning, virtual biopsy, and motion sensor technology. It provides fast image registration by using either single reference point or anatomical marker techniques.

Intelligent positioning acts like a GPS system to track movement of the probe as it is guided to the clinical target. Virtual biopsy superimposes needle tracking on real-time images to help the operator during complex interventional procedures.

Motion sensor technology automatically compensates for patient movement as it maintains image registration.

Esaote ultrasound marketing and sales vice president Brian Murphy said that Virtual Navigator makes interventional procedures easier and safer.

"Available in basic, advanced, and extended versions, Virtual Navigator is a configurable and upgradable solution that enables institutions to purchase the capabilities they need today and upgrade as needs change in the future," Murphy added.

The Virtual Navigator fusion imaging technology has been in use in Europe since 2002.