Tracking system improves catheter placing

Two leading medtech companies have collaborated to provide a system that improves catheter placing during angiography procedures.

Siemens Healthcare has integrated the MediGuide navigation technology from St. Jude Medical into its new Artis zee angiography systems (pictured).

MediGuide makes it possible to place a catheter for angiography very accurately without continuous fluoroscopic tracking, thus reducing the radiation dose and amount of contrast agent needed.

The technology uses electromagnetic tracking to determine the catheter position during a minimally invasive intervention: a miniaturised sensor integrated into the catheter is located from positioning signals emitted by MediGuide transmitters in the Artis zee’s housing; then the position and orientation of the catheter are displayed in real time on previously-acquired fluoroscopic patient images from the patient.

In addition, the technology compensates for movements caused by respiration and heartbeat.

The technology is also available as an upgrade for a number of existing Artis zee systems.

“Siemens is the first to integrate MediGuide technology into its systems, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to lowering dose via our CARE initiative,” said Jane Whittaker, UK Angiography Business Manager at Siemens Healthcare.

The first interventions with the Artis zee and MediGuide technology have been carried out at the Heart Center in Leipzig, Germany.

“The low-radiation, precise localisation of the catheter tip onto the pre-recorded fluoroscopy image is a most impressive function, because the system is able to compensate the motion from heartbeat and breathing,” commented Prof. Dr. Gerhard Hindricks, Director of the Rhythmology Department.

“For my team and me, this is clearly the future in electrophysiology.”

Based in Minnesota, USA, St. Jude Medical specialises in devices for cardiac, neurological and chronic pain treatment. German-based company Siemens Healthcare is a global leader in diagnostic imaging.