MR, CT, Angiography Images Fuse in Interventional Suite

December 4, 2009 – A new MR/CT and angiography fusion navigation system was introduced at RSNA 2009 this week to better guide percutaneous oncology and cardiology procedures.

Philips Healthcare introduced improvements to its Allura Xper FD20 system with the MR/CT Roadmap feature, which allows clinicians to synchronize live fluoroscopy with previously acquired MRA/CTA datasets. The company said this will 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.

Earlier this year Philips acquired Traxtal and its portfolio of minimally-invasive instruments and software for image-guided intervention and therapy. PercuNav functions as a GPS for medical instruments and is now integrated into the Philips interventional suite of products. The system provides 3D visualization and navigation tools to guide instruments to desired targets. The system tracks the tips of flexible and rigid instruments while inside the patient and displays the instrument position, orientation and trajectory on preprocedure and intraprocedure images.

The system can generate fused multimodality images, such as CT with real-time ultrasound. The fusion imaging can aid in procedures such as biopsy and ablation.

Ultrasound access and use is also improved with the launch of the integrated CX50 system, combining good 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.

For more information: www.philips.com/newscenter