First Procedure in United Kingdom Performed With Hansen Medical's Magellan Robotic System for PAE

September 29, 2015—Hansen Medical, Inc. announced the completion of the first robot-assisted prostatic artery embolization (PAE) procedure in the United Kingdom with the company’s Magellan robotic system. The procedure was performed by interventional radiologist Mohamad Hamady, MD, at St. Mary's Hospital, Imperial College in London. Dr. Hamady used the 6-F Magellan robotic catheter for navigation in the peripheral blood vessels during the PAE procedure to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia.

In Hansen Medical’s announcement, Dr. Hamady commented, “I am extremely pleased by the outcome of this initial procedure, and I am excited to be able to offer this promising new treatment for a condition affecting a large number of patients. Robotic catheters offer precise control, even in these narrow and often tortuous blood vessels, which enables us to confidently offer this nonsurgical option to help men suffering from the effects of prostate enlargement.”

According to the company, the Magellan robotic system, which drives the Magellan robotic catheters during endovascular procedures, is designed to provide a conduit for manual placement of therapeutic devices. The system offers procedural predictability, control, and catheter stability through the peripheral vasculature for the treatment of a variety of conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia, uterine fibroids, cancer, and vascular disease. The Magellan robotic system is commercially available in the United States and Europe. 

At CIRSE 2015, the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe's annual meeting being held September 26–30 in Lisbon, Portugal, Hansen Medical hosted a speaker series on the Magellan robotic system and 6-F catheter for use in embolization procedures. The company was also a sponsor of the second annual Radiation Protection Pavilion, where Barry Katzen, MD, discussed the role of robotic technology in reducing radiation exposure. The pavilion is an interactive awareness campaign for radiation protection and dose management in interventional radiology. Also at CIRSE, Dr. Katzen and Sandeep Rao, MD, presented data indicating a > 90% physician radiation reduction during robotic-assisted endovascular procedures, as compared to manually performing a procedure at the bedside, stated Hansen Medical.