Philips showcases radiology systems to support minimally invasive
surgery at RSNA
1 December 2009
Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is
highlighting its portfolio in the field of interventional
radiology/oncology at this year’s Radiological Society of North America
(RSNA) annual meeting in Chicago this week.
Minimally-invasive procedures are increasingly replacing more costly
open surgery, particularly in oncology, cardiology and women’s health
applications. With a global market for image-guided navigation expected
to reach $600 million by 2015, clinicians are embracing the advantages
offered by minimally-invasive procedures, including shorter patient
recovery times, greater patient comfort and faster patient throughput.
Philips is developing innovative image-guidance technologies for
increasing the range and quality of minimally-invasive interventions and
therapies. The company is also working on solutions to integrate images
from different sources into a single, combined image, as well as to add
navigational information of instruments to these images. This increases
the confidence of interventional clinicians in clinical decision making
and ultimately helps improve patient care.
“Across most surgical disciplines, minimally-invasive methods are
becoming the standard since the procedures can help reduce overall
healthcare costs and improve efficiencies,” said Bert van Meurs, senior
vice president of Interventional X-ray, for Philips Healthcare.
“However, this growth requires a significant amount of knowledge as
techniques and technologies evolve. Built upon our strengths in advanced
imaging and long history in collaborative partnerships, Philips is
committed to delivering image-guided interventions and therapy solutions
that help ease the demands of complex procedures.”
Streamlining clinician workload with integrated
interventional solutions
Allura Xper FD20
Ensuring maximum uptime of interventional vascular X-ray systems is
key to maintaining a smooth clinical workflow. For new and existing
customers, the Allura Xper FD20 combines a full range of advanced
interventional tools and seamless multi-modality cath lab integration.
It also offers a balance between superb image quality and low X-ray dose
during lengthy procedures. The system is upgradable, offering access to
the latest clinical and service innovations as part of the lifetime
Philips commitment.
The Allura Xper system has advanced optional tools to support
image-guided procedures. The MR/CT Roadmap feature allows clinicians to
synchronize live fluoroscopy with previously
Acquired MRA/CTA datasets to help reduce contrast media use and X-ray
dose compared to standard 2D or 3D navigation. XperGuide can also
overlay live fluoroscopy on MR/CT images for needle image guidance.
Ultrasound access and use is also improved with the launch of the
integrated CX50 system, combining superb image quality with full data,
user interface and video integration. With the CX50‘s portability,
physicians in the cath lab can control the CX50 from the Allura Xper FD
tableside module, and view images directly on interventional exam room
monitors.
Finally, Philips introduces DoseAware, delivering real-time
visualization, display and tracking of clinical staff X-ray dose to help
healthcare professionals performing potentially lengthy interventional
procedures and manage their exposure on the spot.
Expanding clinical capabilities
PercuNav Image Fusion and Instrument Navigation
Earlier this year Philips acquired Traxtal and its innovative
portfolio of minimally-invasive instruments and software for
image-guided intervention and therapy. PercuNav functions as a GPS for
medical instruments, which further strengthens Philips’ family of
recognized interventional solutions.
On display at this year’s RSNA, PercuNav is integrated into the
Philips interventional suite of products, striving to improve accuracy
for interventional radiology procedures while seeking to reduce
contrast, radiation dose and interventional CT time.
The system provides three-dimensional visualization and navigation
tools to guide instruments to desired targets, even when the target is
hard to see or difficult to reach. Philips PercuNav tracks the tips of
flexible and rigid instruments while inside the patient and displays the
instrument position, orientation and trajectory on pre-procedure and
intra-procedure images.
The system can also generate and display fused multi-modality images
to leverage the combined advantages of resolution, contrast and
real-time feedback from different modalities.
In addition to interventional procedures such as biopsy and ablation,
PercuNav’s image fusion and visualization can be used to enhance
diagnostic imaging studies by synchronizing stored images with real-time
ultrasound.
Brilliance iCT Interventional Tools
A new suite of interventional tools on the Brilliance iCT enables
CT-guided procedures on one of the industry’s fastest and most powerful
CT scanner platforms. With Brilliance iCT’s new 3.0 software release,
Philips offers two unique packages to facilitate interventional
procedures in the CT gantry room — Continuous CT (CCT) and CT
Fluoroscopy.
Continuous CT biopsy mode enables the clinician to perform gantry
room scans using a foot pedal to keep their hands free to focus on the
procedure and includes a remote monitor for viewing. Adhering to
Philips’ DoseWise design philosophy, each exposure is a 240° axial scan
centered beneath the patient to shield the clinician’s hands from direct
X-ray exposure.
CT Fluoroscopy provides real-time guidance for interventional
procedures (up to eight frames per second). Exposure time and dose
displays keep the interventional radiologist aware of exposure levels
throughout the procedure while viewing a single-fused image. All of the
Philips CT interventional packages are available with cart or
ceiling-mounted display monitors and can be configured on new or
previously installed Brilliance iCT scanners.
Investigating new interventional devices
Sonalleve MR- Guided HIFU Fibroid Therapy System (Investigational
Device)
The Philips Sonalleve MR-HIFU is being investigated for the
non-invasive treatment of uterine fibroids. The procedure involves
volumetric heating with real-time feedback for high procedural
efficiency combined with a short procedure time. The Sonalleve MR-HIFU
system is currently installed at 16 sites in the U.S., Europe and Asia
for research purposes, with several sites conducting clinical trials for
uterine fibroid therapy.
Research collaboration to develop future solutions
As global growth in minimally-invasive interventions continues,
Philips will further foster research with clinical partners into new
minimally-invasive systems and develop future solutions that encompass,
for example, targeted drug delivery in combination with Philips’ imaging
technologies. By addressing care from prevention to early detection,
diagnostics and targeted therapy, clinicians will be empowered to
deliver better care and ultimately better patient outcomes.