Philips, Hansen Integrate X-Ray Imaging, Robotic Catheter to Advance Treatment of Irregular Heartbeats

January 16, 2009 - Royal Philips Electronics and Hansen Medical Inc. this week signed joint development and cooperation agreements to co-develop integrated products that may simplify complex cardiac procedures to diagnose and treat arrhythmias.

The agreements will enable the creation of integrated product solutions by combining Philips' Allura Xper X-Ray system with Hansen Medical's Sensei Robotic Catheter System. The resulting innovations will seek to enable electrophysiologists to perform complex procedures with greater confidence and improved efficiency.

The Sensei system allows physicians to place mapping catheters in hard-to-reach anatomical locations within the heart easily, accurately and with stability during cardiac arrhythmia procedures.

The Philips' integrated EP lab system combines the proven Allura Xper X-Ray family with specifically designed innovations like EP cockpit and EP navigator to improve the lab environment, facilitating complex procedures and integrating the EP workflow process.

Cardiac arrhythmias can drastically reduce the quality of life and can also lead to serious health risks including heart failure and stroke. Nearly 550,000 new patients are diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmias in the U.S. each year and arrhythmias cause approximately 250,000 deaths annually according to the Heart Rhythm Foundation and the American College of Cardiology. The condition also affects over 4.5 million people in Europe.

For more information: www.hansenmedical.com