Minneapolis, Minn, May 9, 2017 – Siemens Healthineers is joining forces with U.S.-based Imricor Medical Systems Inc. to develop an integrated solution that combines the clinical benefits of real-time MRI scans with 3D-guided cardiac ablation. The companies’ shared goal is the development of MRI-compatible devices that translate information on cardiac conduction, morphological substrates, and individual patient anatomy into better treatment outcomes. This approach will potentially enable electrophysiologists to treat heart arrhythmia without radiation and to use the visualization of soft tissue information obtained through MRI.
“We are very excited about this development partnership, since it is changing the way we look at ablation and its resulting physiological effects for higher precision and better treatment outcome,” explains Dr. Philipp Fischer, head of Cardiology at Siemens Healthineers.
“We are thrilled to partner with Siemens Healthineers with a goal of delivering comprehensive solutions for MRI-guided ablations,” says Steve Wedan, CEO of Imricor Medical Systems Inc., describing the partnership’s objectives. “Together, we look forward to providing patients and physicians with MRI-compatible devices from Imricor that are fully integrated with Siemens’ iCMR-EP labs around the world. Our shared goal is to unlock the potential of interventional MRI for electrophysiology by providing better, faster, and less expensive treatment options.”
Electrophysiology – especially the interventional therapy of complex arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation (AFib/AF) and ventricular tachycardia (VT) – is one of the fastest growing fields within cardiology. The intervention itself involves inserting a special catheter into the heart to treat a cardiac conduction defect – a complex procedure in which optimum imaging is essential.
“This partnership is planned to help us better translate patients’ individual pathophysiology into personalized treatment approaches,” explains Dr. Christoph Zindel, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Magnetic Resonance Imaging at Siemens Healthineers. “MRI guidance will not only minimize radiation exposure to patients and EP staff. This technology will enable more detailed insights into the target anatomy and tissue properties, and holds the potential to improve clinical outcomes in arrhythmia therapy. Together with Imricor, we are committed to further developing EP solutions for the benefit of the rising population of arrhythmia patients.”
Siemens Healthineers is the separately managed healthcare business of Siemens AG enabling healthcare providers worldwide to meet their current challenges and to excel in their respective environments. A leader in medical technology, Siemens Healthineers is constantly innovating its portfolio of products and services in its core areas of diagnostic and therapeutic imaging and in laboratory diagnostics and molecular medicine. Siemens Healthineers is also actively developing its digital health services and enterprise services. To help customers succeed in today’s dynamic healthcare marketplace, Siemens Healthineers is championing new business models that maximize opportunity and minimize risk for healthcare providers.
In fiscal 2016, which ended on September 30, 2016, Siemens Healthineers generated revenue of €13.5 billion and profit of over €2.3 billion and has about 46,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available at www.siemens.com/healthineers.
Imricor Medical Systems is a privately held company that specializes in developing devices and systems that are compatible with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Its unique MR-enabled interventional products are designed to provide doctors the ability to perform interventional procedures while taking advantage of the superior soft tissue imaging capabilities of MRI. Imricor is the world leader in the development of MR-enabled devices for electrophysiology applications. Imricor also licenses its technology to help make implanted medical devices compatible with MRI. For more information, visit www.imricor.com.
Contact Information
Siemens Healthineers
Jeff Bell
phone: + 1 610 448 6348
e-mail: jeffrey.t.bell@siemens-healthineers.com