Philips Launches VesselNavigator in International Markets

April 29, 2015—Royal Philips Electronics announced the launch of VesselNavigator in Europe and other markets outside of North America. VesselNavigator is a live, three-dimensional (3D) catheter navigation tool for endovascular procedures. It is designed for use in conjunction with Philips’ interventional x-ray systems to enhance the precision and accuracy of stent placement, while significantly reducing contrast medium usage.
  
According to Royal Philips, a key application for VesselNavigator is for guidance during the treatment of aortic aneurysms, where treatment of complex anatomy using conventional x-ray imaging often requires more time and more contrast medium.
 
VesselNavigator fuses live interventional x-ray images with preacquired 3D magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography 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 published studies, VesselNavigator has been shown to reduce contrast medium usage by 70% and procedure times by 18%, contributing to more patient friendly, efficient, and cost-effective treatment of vascular conditions, stated Royal Philips.
 
In the company’s press release, Prof. Frank Vermassen, MD, commented, “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.” Prof. Vermassen is Head of Vascular and Thoracic Surgery at University Hospital Ghent in Ghent, Belgium.

The company advised that VesselNavigator is not available for sale in the United States, where US Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance is pending.