Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) and Hansen Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: HNSN) have signed joint development and cooperation agreements to co-develop integrated products that may simplify complex cardiac procedures to diagnose and treat irregular heartbeats, also known as arrhythmias. Cardiac arrhythmias can drastically reduce the quality of life and can also lead to serious health risks including heart failure and stroke. Nearly 550,000 new patients are diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmias in the United States each year and arrhythmias cause approximately 250,000 deaths annually according to the Heart Rhythm Foundation and the American College of Cardiology. The condition also affects over 4.5 million people in Europe.
The agreements will enable the creation of integrated product solutions by combining Philips' Allura Xper X-Ray system with Hansen Medical's Sensei® Robotic Catheter System. The resulting innovations will seek to enable electrophysiologists to perform complex procedures with greater confidence and improved efficiency.
"This agreement is an important step in the development of our dedicated electrophysiology business program," said Gerard Winkels, vice president and general manager, Electrophysiology for Philips Healthcare. "By collaborating with best-in-class companies such as Hansen Medical we're able to develop comprehensive solutions designed around the needs of the electrophysiologist."
"We are very pleased about the relationship we have with Philips," said Gary Restani, president and COO of Hansen Medical. "We believe that combining our efforts will allow us to provide enhanced value and improved capabilities to our customers as this alliance is targeted at developing integrated solutions that will impact not only visualization, but also instinctive driving within 3D anatomical models."
The Sensei system allows physicians to place mapping catheters in hard-to-reach anatomical locations within the heart easily, accurately and with stability during cardiac arrhythmia procedures.
The Philips' integrated EP lab system combines the proven Allura Xper X-Ray family with specifically designed innovations like EP cockpit and EP navigator to improve the lab environment, facilitating complex procedures and integrating the EP workflow process.
Related news articles:
- Philips Healthcare's Profile
About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 128,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 27 billion in 2007, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.
About Hansen Medical, Inc.
Hansen Medical Inc., based in Mountain View, Calif., develops products and technology using robotics for the accurate positioning, manipulation and control of catheters and catheter-based technologies. Its first product, the Sensei® Robotic Catheter system, is a robotic navigation system that enables clinicians to place mapping catheters in hard-to-reach anatomical locations within the heart easily, accurately and with stability during complex cardiac arrhythmia procedures. The Sensei system is compatible with fluoroscopy, ultrasound, 3D surface map and patient electrocardiogram data and was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2007 for manipulation and control of certain mapping catheters in Electrophysiology (EP) procedures. The safety and effectiveness of the Sensei system for use with cardiac ablation catheters in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation (AF), have not been established. In the European Union, the Sensei system is cleared for use during EP procedures, such as guiding catheters in the treatment of AF. Additional information can be found at www.hansenmedical.com.