Boston, Mass., May 13, 2009 – Siemens Healthcare (www.siemens.com/healthcare) will demonstrate the clinical benefits of the world’s first volume intra-cardiac echocardiography (VICE) catheter, the ACUSON AcuNav™ V ultrasound catheter, this week at the 2009 Scientific Sessions of the Heart Rhythm Society in Boston, May 13-16. With real-time volumetric information from inside the heart, the new volume catheter will improve therapeutic ablation procedures and other electrophysiology (EP) applications facilitating workflow and improving performance in the EP lab.
“It’s like using a flashlight within the human heart,” said Klaus Hambuechen, chief executive officer, Ultrasound, Siemens Healthcare. “The ACUSON AcuNav V catheter provides physicians with high-resolution volumetric ultrasound information about the anatomy and the tools used during EP procedures, reducing the need for fluoroscopic visualization to ultimately improve patient care and increase safety within the EP lab.”
The ACUSON AcuNav V volume catheter continues the success story of the conventional ACUSON AcuNav catheter, which boasts sales of more than 100,000 catheters worldwide. Since 1999, it has provided electrophysiologists and interventional cardiologists with high-quality, real-time diagnostic ultrasound images and Doppler blood flow information from within the heart. Adding the benefits of volume imaging to the technique will dramatically improve and simplify the visualization of ablation catheter position, catheter-tissue contact and bubble formation during RF energy delivery.
“Not only will device guidance and navigation become easier and more accurate, these tasks can also be performed by one single user,” said Michael Snyder, worldwide cardiology segment manager, Ultrasound, Siemens Healthcare. “In addition, the use of the ACUSON AcuNav V volume catheter only requires patient sedation, which reduces patient stress resulting from general anesthesia procedures.”
The ACUSON AcuNav V volume catheter will exclusively be available for use with the new ACUSON SC2000™ volume imaging ultrasound system. Defining a new gold standard of volume imaging for ultrasound, the ACUSON SC2000 system is the first system in the industry to deliver non-stitched, instantaneous full-volume imaging of the heart in one single heart cycle. In combination with the ACUSON AcuNav V volume catheter, it provides an advanced volume ultrasound solution increasing diagnostic confidence and improving workflow in interventional cardiology and electrophysiology.
From its portable solution, the ACUSON P50™ ultrasound system, to its premium echocardiography platforms, including the ACUSON Sequoia™ ultrasound system, Siemens’ comprehensive cardiac product portfolio supports the entire intra-cardiac echocardiography applications spectrum of the 8 and 10 French ACUSON AcuNav catheters. The ACUSON X300™ ultrasound system additionally offers comprehensive CARTO® System communication capabilities to further enhance mapping workflow and efficiency during EP ablations.
Large Display1 and Image Quality
Also highlighted in the Siemens booth at this year’s HRS is the Artis zee® medical grade large display1. Whether for applications in interventional and pediatric cardiology, electrophysiology or a variety of surgical specialties, the Artis zee® medical grade large display provides superb image sharpness for detecting finest details. As the amount of information increases, so does the need to present all information needed for the next workflow step directly at the tableside.
Featuring a full-color, 56-inch screen the large display enables users to select their preferred screen layout for the planned procedure at tableside. With its 8 megapixel image resolution, the Artis zee large screen displays sharper crisper, more precise images, compared to conventional monitors. With up to 12 different screen combinations to choose from directly at tableside, screen data can be organized and viewed virtually any way. And selection from more than 200 layout configurations at setup enables individual windows to be enlarged and altered as needed to match clinical requirements.
1The information about this product is being provided for planning purposes. The product requires 510(k) review and is not yet commercially available in the U.S.
The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world’s largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first integrated healthcare company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care – from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Additionally, Siemens Healthcare is the global market leader in innovative hearing instruments. The company employs around 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2008 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of €11.2 billion, orders of €11.8 billion, and Sector profit of €1.2 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare.