
Global medical device company St. Jude Medical (NYSE:STJ) announced international launch of its MediGuide navigation technology, which turns pre-recorded fluoroscopic images into 3-D visualizations that physicians can use to direct cardiovascular procedures in real time.
The company likens MediGuide to a sort of cardiovascular GPS system, providing precise location and orientation information about enabled devices inside the heart during procedures.
“The launch of MediGuide Technology is significant as it allows clinicians to perform cardiac procedures with less fluoroscopy and the corresponding exposure to harmful radiation,” Dr. Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy said, in prepared remarks, on behalf of the company. “This revolutionary system reduces the need for live fluoroscopy, while providing unprecedented views inside the heart, improving complex cardiac resynchronization therapy and cardiac ablation image-guided procedures for physicians, patients and medical staff around the world.”
Lakkireddy is a cardiologist at the University of Kansas Hospital, the 1st medical facility in the U.S. to use the MediGuide system.
MediGuide Technology integrates a line of Siemens Healthcare’s (NYSE:SI) radiology and cardiology imaging devices to provide improved navigation during electrophysiology procedures.
"St. Jude Medical will continue developing technologies that minimize radiation exposure in the EP lab, improve procedural repeatability and increase clinical and economic efficiency," St. Jude Medical cardiovascular and ablation technologies division president Frank Callaghan said in a company statement.
STJ shares lost 2.3% today, closing at $42.32.