Medtronic Launches 3D Recon Service to Enhance EVAR Treatments

November 19, 2009— Medtronic, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN) announced the introduction of an imaging and visualization service for endovascular specialists who use the company’s stent grafts to treat aortic aneurysms. Medtronic has partnered with Vital Images, Inc. (Minnetonka, MN), a provider of advanced visualization and analysis software, to offer 3D Recon. The 3D Recon service converts 2D computed tomography (CT) axial images to 3D images, offering advanced visualization of the anatomy and aneurysm measurement for device sizing. This technology allows physicians to streamline precase planning and patient follow-up. Vital Images received 510(k) clearance for the device from the US Food and Drug Administration.

According to Medtronic, Vital Images’ endovascular stent planning application provides real-time automated clinical information specifically for the evaluation of abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms. The application enables removal of bone and anatomy from the image, visualization from the aortic root through the iliac bifurcation, as well as specific measurements for procedure planning. It allows interventionists to instantly view 3D anatomy preoperatively and the implanted stent graft postoperatively. The 3D Recon complements Medtronic’s existing service offerings of CTeXpress, a remote DICOM image transfer service in partnership with Intelemage, LLC (Cincinnati, OH) and Stent Graft Tracker, a software for managing patient follow-up schedules, Medtronic stated.