AMSTERDAM and NATICK, Mass., Aug. 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) and Corindus Vascular Robotics today announced a distribution agreement for Corindus’ CorPath® 200 System. The system was recently cleared by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is the world’s first robotic-assisted system for the minimally invasive treatment of obstructed coronary arteries in patients with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), a procedure that is also known as Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). The financial details of the exclusive distribution agreement were not disclosed. Philips, a leader in interventional imaging, owns a minority share in Corindus Vascular Robotics, which commercializes robotic-assisted systems for interventional cardiology procedures.
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The CorPath 200 System can be integrated with all major X-ray fluoroscopy systems including Philips’ Allura X-ray equipment. The robotic-assisted system is a compact and cost-efficient system that can be used with standard stents, catheters and guidewires. The distribution agreement enables both companies to sell this unique robotic-assisted system in the United States, addressing an immediate need of patients, interventional cardiologists and staff. This agreement is the next step in the alliance between Philips and Corindus, which was announced in 2011.
“Robotic-assisted interventional technologies have great potential to further improve current image-guided minimally invasive procedures, which is a fast growing market with for example more than one million PCI procedures estimated to be performed in the United States in 2012,” said Gene Saragnese, CEO Imaging Systems at Philips Healthcare. “By teaming up with partners with complementary and unique strengths, such as Corindus Vascular Robotics, we aim to shape the future of healthcare by delivering innovative solutions that enhance clinical capabilities, improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.”
X-ray fluoroscopy is generally accepted as the most suitable imaging technology for accurately visualizing the progress of the catheter and other interventional tools during the minimally invasive treatment of cardiac conditions. However, since interventional cardiologists perform many PCI procedures, over time clinical data has demonstrated that this can lead to health and orthopedic problems. As a global leader in interventional cardiology offering a comprehensive portfolio of imaging systems and advanced interventional tools, Philips is at the forefront of helping clinicians and staff to manage X-ray exposure for their patients, and for themselves.
The CorPath 200 System has been designed for the robotic-assisted placement of the coronary guidewires and stent/balloon catheters used in PCI procedures. It is operated by the interventional cardiologist from a radiation shielded, interventional cockpit. Additionally, the seated position in front of monitors may provide enhanced measurement and view of the angiography screen, while reducing fatigue and head, neck and back strain.
“At Northeast Georgia Medical Center, our group performs more than 2,000 procedures a year,” said Dr. J. Jeffrey Marshall of The Northeast Georgia Heart Center. “Some of them lasting more than 4 hours standing hunched over a bed and wearing a heavy lead apron. Robotic-assisted PCI allows us to perform the procedure shielded from radiation while precisely controlling the coronary guidewires and stent/balloon catheters. The CorPath 200 System may enhance precision and control of stent and guidewire positioning, which ultimately can potentially enhance patient care.”
The CorPath PRECISE Trial* a prospective, single-arm, multi-center, study, which enrolled 164 patients and was submitted to FDA as part of the pre-market notification (510(k)) for the CorPath 200 demonstrated robotic-assisted PCI is safe and feasible for patients, and can also significantly reduce radiation exposure for the interventional cardiologist.
“We are excited to have a strong partner in Philips, who has such an established reputation and presence in interventional cardiology,” said David Handler, President and CEO of Corindus. “Philips’ U.S. sales force has already been introduced to the CorPath 200 System, and U.S. commercialization is underway. Additionally, Corindus Vascular Robotics is also bolstering our U.S. sales force to provide clinical support to interventional cardiologists performing robotic-assisted PCI.”
*http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01275092?term=PRECISE&rank=1
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About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2011 sales of EUR 22.6 billion and employs approximately 122,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
About Corindus
Corindus (http://www.corindus.com) is the global technology leader in robotic-assisted percutaneous coronary interventions. The Company’s CorPath® 200 System (FDA cleared July, 2012) is the first medical device that offers interventional cardiologists PCI procedure control from an interventional cockpit. The CorPath open-platform technology and intellectual property will enable Corindus to address other segments of the vascular market, including peripheral, neuro and structural heart applications.
SOURCE Royal Philips Electronics
