May 1, 2007 — Hansen Medical Inc., a developer of robotic technology for accurate 3D control of catheter movement during cardiac procedures, has announced it has entered into joint development and co-marketing agreements with St. Jude Medical of St. Paul, MN, a global leader of electrophysiology (EP) technology, to integrate technologies from its Sensei Robotic Catheter System and Artisan Control Catheter with St. Jude Medical's EnSite System.
The first generation robotic platform from Hansen Medical is designed to allow physicians to place mapping catheters in hard-to-reach anatomical locations within the heart more easily, accurately and with greatly increased stability as compared to existing manual technique. The Sensei Robotic Catheter System has received CE mark in Europe, and the Artisan Control Catheter is currently pending CE mark approval. Additionally, the Sensei System is pending U.S. FDA clearance.
The EnSite system is a computer-based technology marketed worldwide that facilitates EP procedures by creating real-time 3D graphical displays or maps of cardiac structures and arrhythmias. These maps are designed to provide the visual guidance necessary to navigate catheters used during EP procedures. Previously, two-dimensional technologies such as fluoroscopy or ultrasound were used to assist physicians with guiding catheters inside the heart, which is a three-dimensional space.
Combining the Sensei and EnSite technologies is intended to provide physicians with 3D visualization that will augment their ability to confidently move a catheter throughout the heart, as well as greatly increase control over placement of the catheter in specific locations.
The Sensei system is adaptable to any existing EP procedure room and the mobile workstation can be placed away from direct radiation. In addition to lessening operator fatigue, the remote placement of the workstation creates a virtual shield for physicians against harmful radiation during catheter-based EP procedures.
The EnSite System is used by EP clinicians during EP procedures to create 3D models of their patients' cardiac anatomy and then to visualize catheters used in those procedures as they are navigated to critical anatomical targets. The system collects and organizes activation and voltage data from the inner surface of the heart, which allows physicians to visualize arrhythmias on the 3D model and more easily determine a treatment strategy.
The joint development and worldwide co-marketing agreements between St. Jude Medical and Hansen Medical are two-year agreements. Under the terms of the joint development agreement, St. Jude Medical and Hansen Medical will exclusively co-develop technology that will enable the integration of the Sensei and Ensite Systems. Under the terms of the co-marketing agreement, St. Jude Medical has exclusive co-marketing rights to market the Sensei System with St. Jude Medical products in targeted EP accounts.
For more information visit www.hansenmedical.com.
May 15, 2023 
