Philips Healthcare of Andover, MA, has signed an agreement with robotic technology developer Hansen Medical to license the Mountain View, CA, company's fiber-optic sensing technology.
Philips will license Hansen's fiber-optic shape sensing and localization (FOSSL) technology for nonrobotic applications. FOSSL employs a fiber-optic sensor designed to allow physicians to identify both the shape and position of catheters and other tools used in minimally invasive procedures.
FOSSL could enable more efficient and precise control and continuous tracking of tools used in minimally invasive procedures. The technology is designed to provide 3D visual information during procedures, which can reduce radiation dose. FOSSL is being developed by Hansen Medical and Luna Innovations of Roanoke, VA.
Under the deal, Philips has the exclusive right to develop and commercialize FOSSL technology in the nonrobotic vascular, endoluminal, and orthopedic fields. In addition, the companies amended their previous joint development agreement to allow Philips to extend and increase fees to be paid by Hansen based on future sales of a flexible catheter vascular robotic system now being developed at Hansen. Commercialization of the product is planned for 2011 in the U.S. and Europe.
The agreement calls for Hansen to receive upfront payments of $29 million, and the firm will be eligible to receive up to an additional $78 million in future payments based on the successful commercialization or licensing by Philips or its collaborators.
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