CHICAGO and MUNICH, Germany, April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Royal Philips Electronics and BrainLAB, a manufacturer of software-driven systems for targeted, less-invasive medical treatments, today announced that they would be collaborating on the integration of intra-operative angiography and image-guided surgery (IGS). This cooperation underlines both companies’ commitment to drive the full compatibility of these technologies in the operating room (OR) environment.
The integration of angiography and IGS would provide surgeons with real-time information during interventions that may lead to more precise surgical procedures. Image-guided intra-operative angiography could enhance both neurosurgery and spinal surgery, and will extend the classical application range of cardiovascular surgery.
As part of the intended cooperation, BrainLAB will develop interfaces between Philips’ angiographic imaging systems and the BrainLAB VectorVision(R) system for the automatic registration of intra-operatively acquired angiographic data. This means surgeons will be able to upload datasets into the IGS system without the need for additional manual steps. During surgery, the position of the patient and surgical instruments is tracked in real time through BrainLAB software.
“This development agreement will leverage the strengths of both companies. With BrainLAB, we have found a partner that is a leader in Image Guided Surgery. The integration with their VectorVision system will enable our angiography systems for applications in the OR,” commented Bert van Meurs, Senior Vice President Business Unit CardioVascular X-ray for Philips. “Today, angiography is mainly used for endovascular interventional procedures. By integrating it in the OR, we will be providing surgeons with a tool to help improve clinical outcomes for complex neurosurgical and spine procedures. This potentially reduces the risk of revision surgery.
“BrainLAB has always been driving the integration of intra-operative imaging with surgical navigation, from ultrasound to MRI, and strives to open new markets. As angiography is becoming an increasingly important diagnostic modality, we are seeing a growing demand from many of our customers for an integrated solution,” said Stefan Vilsmeier, CEO of BrainLAB AG.
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is a global leader in healthcare, lighting and consumer lifestyle, delivering people-centric, innovative products, services and solutions through the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 134,200 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 27 billion in 2007, the company is a market leader in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems, energy efficient lighting solutions, as well as lifestyle solutions for personal wellbeing. News from Philips is located at http://www.philips.com/newscenter.
About BrainLAB
BrainLAB develops, manufactures and markets software-driven medical technology that enables procedures that are more precise, less invasive, and also less expensive than traditional treatments. Among the core products are image-guided systems that provide highly accurate real-time information used for navigation during surgical procedures. This utility has been further expanded to serve as a computer terminal for physicians to more effectively access and interpret diagnostic scans and other digital medical information for better informed decisions. BrainLAB solutions allow expansion from a single system to operating suites to digitally integrated hospitals covering all subspecialties from neurosurgery, orthopedics, ENT, CMF to spine & trauma and oncology. With more than 3,000 systems installed in over 70 countries, BrainLAB is a market leader in image-guided technology. The privately held BrainLAB group, founded in 1989, is headquartered in Munich, Germany and today employs 1,000 people in 16 offices across Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America. For more information, visit BrainLAB at http://www.brainlab.com.
CONTACT: Steve Kelly, +1-425-487-7479, Steve.Kelly@philips.com, or Ian
Race, +1-978-659-4624, Ian.Race@philips.com, both of Philips Healthcare; or
Kate Franco of BrainLAB Inc., +1-708-486-1915, kate.franco@brainlab.com
Web site: http://www.philips.com/
http://www.brainlab.com/
