LEXINGTON, Ky., July 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Following initial success as the first hospital in the world to install and utilize the AXIOM Artis dFC Magnetic Navigation System, a technology developed by Siemens Medical Solutions in conjunction with Stereotaxis, Inc., the Baptist Heart and Vascular Institute at Central Baptist Hospital has purchased a second system for interventional cardiovascular purposes. The new system will be devoted to procedures in the interventional cardiology department while the first system, purchased in early 2003, will be dedicated to the hospital's electrophysiology department.
The AXIOM Artis dFC Magnetic Navigation System uses computer-controlled permanent magnets external to the body for orienting the magnetic tip of specially designed catheters and guidewires. This approach, which allows for 360-degree rotation of the catheter and guidewire, has the potential to provide greater precision and better movement. This interventional technique allows clinicians at the Baptist Heart and Vascular Institute to more accurately navigate catheters and guidewires to designated target sites within the heart and coronary vasculature, making interventional procedures easier and more comfortable for both the clinician and the patient.
"We're excited to be able to add this additional technology to our cardiac program," said William G. Sisson, president and CEO of Central Baptist Hospital. "Innovations such as this are much-needed in our fight against heart disease, which is all too prevalent in Kentucky and the nation."
In addition to the second installation of the Magnetic Navigation System, Central Baptist Hospital is also renovating its cardiology department with six additional state of the art AXIOM Artis digital cardiology catheterization laboratories from Siemens. The upgrade of the existing ACOM Net line of software, which provides technological enhancements that are compatible with the entire AXIOM platform, will be included with the purchase. The technology allows for multi-modality viewing of echocardiography, nuclear medicine, computed tomography, magnetic resonance and cardiac cases. The dual screen display adds flexibility and offers the ability to view multiple cases on a split screen.
Additionally, Central Baptist will begin utilizing the AXIOM Sensis hemodynamic and electrophysiology recording system, designed to improve workflow in the cath lab. The system provides accurate calculations of hemodynamic and electrophysiologic data obtained during catheterization, and presents data clearly and concisely. Sensis includes customizable Microsoft Word(R) templates for final reports, the ability to perform statistical and outcome analysis of data collected during procedures, and the ability to create and store DICOM-structured reports and waveforms.
"Central Baptist Hospital served as a pioneer by being the first hospital in the world to install and utilize this revolutionary magnetic navigation technology with much success," said Manfred Fink, vice president, Angiography and X-ray Division, Siemens Medical Solutions. "We are very excited to further expand this partnership with the Baptist Heart and Vascular Institute, as it will help them to enhance the clinical capabilities available to their patients, while at the same time improving workflow and cost efficiency for the hospital."
Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Employing approximately 31,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.4 billion EUR, orders of 7.8 billion EUR and group profit of 1.1 billion EUR for fiscal 2003. More information can be obtained by visiting http://www.usa.siemens.com/medical.
PHOTOGRAPHY AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Siemens Medical SolutionsCONTACT: LuJean Smith, Siemens Medical Solutions, +1-425-432-9601,lujean.smith@siemens.com; or Ruth Ann Childers, Central Baptist Hospital,+1-859-260-6254, rchilders@bhsi.com
Web site: http://www.usa.siemens.com/medical