Netherlands-based Royal Philips has introduced a new 3D navigation system, VesselNavigator, which will guide the minimally invasive treatment of patients with vascular diseases such as aortic aneurysms.
Philips has developed the new catheter navigation solution to be used in conjunction with its interventional X-ray systems, allowing to enhance the precision and accuracy of stent placement and reducing contrast medium usage.
VesselNavigator has been developed in collaboration with Germany’s University Hospital Cologne and Belgium’s University Hospital Ghent, which is suitable for all types of endovascular procedures.
University Hospital Ghent vascular and thoracic surgery head Dr Frank Vermassen said: "VesselNavigator gives vascular surgeons during endovascular procedures the 3D view of the patient’s anatomy, which they are familiar with from open surgery."
The new navigation system is more suitable for guidance during the treatment of aortic aneurysms, which if untreated could result in severe complications such as massive internal bleeding.
VesselNavigator combines live interventional X-ray images with pre-acquired 3D MRI or CT images of the patient’s vascular structures and the resulting 3D color-coded images of the vessels offer enhanced real-time visual guidance.
Philips image guided therapy general manager Bert van Meurs said: "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."
Philips also produces HeartNavigator and EchoNavigator for structural heart disease repairs, EP Navigator for cardiac electrophysiology interventions and EmboGuide for tumor embolization in cancer treatment.
Image: Royal Philips’s VesselNavigator is suitable for all types of endovascular procedures. Photo: courtesy of Koninklijke Philips N.V.