Cardiac technology developer St. Jude Medical has launched its MediGuide Technology, a real-time 3D navigation system designed for evaluating recorded fluoroscopic images of vascular and cardiac analysis.
The use of recorded images allows physicians to reduce the duration of radiation exposure during cardiovascular procedures.
Similar to a global positioning system (GPS), MediGuide enables physicians to see the precise location and orientation of MediGuide-enabled devices inside the heart. Using magnetic tracking to locate miniature sensors embedded in devices, such as the MediGuide-enabled Livewire diagnostic catheter and the CPS Excel MediGuide-enabled guidewire, the technology uses 3D visualization to previously recorded fluoroscopic images in real-time.
Automatic adjustments are made to the recorded images to maintain an accurate real-time clinical representation compensating for cardiac motion, respiratory changes, and patient movements to minimize workflow delays.
MediGuide integrates with the Artis zee angiography system from Siemens Healthcare. When combined, navigation during electrophysiology procedures is improved, according to the St. Paul, MN-headquartered company.
The University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City is the first hospital to use the technology, St. Jude Medical said.
