A Hybrid OR is the integration of a surgical Operating Room with an advanced X-ray imaging system. This enables cardiovascular surgeons as well as interventionalists, to perform the most advanced minimally invasive procedures. FlexMove allows healthcare personnel to:

• Move the X-ray imaging system laterally and longitudinally to perform a wide range of procedures whilst causing hardly any interference in the provision of anesthesia or to staff. FlexMove's full body coverage at both sides of the table supports complex hybrid and endovascular procedures without the need to pan the table.
• Position the X-ray system in lateral stand-by position for optimal access to the patient and move the system quickly in place when needed, or park it out of the way when not needed to create more room for other procedures.
• Work within the rigorous sterility parameters of the Hybrid OR as the ceiling rails of FlexMove fit around a laminar air flow system. In addition, the FlexMove system does not touch the floor, which simplifies room layout and facilitates cleaning.

The launch of the FlexMove system coincides with the 50th anniversary of the University Hospital Zürich's Scientific Meeting - a celebration of fifty years of excellence in cardiac surgery. Further launches of FlexMove are planned later this year in Belgium, Germany, North America and the Republic of Ireland.

Bert van Meurs, General Manager, Philips Healthcare Interventional X-ray Systems comments: "The development of Allura Xper with FlexMove represents another major advance from Philips, highlighting our ongoing commitment to developing dedicated solutions for the Hybrid OR. We're proud to launch FlexMove at the University Hospital Zürich, one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe, renowned for its application of state-of-the-art treatments and some of the most progressive diagnostic and therapeutic techniques being used worldwide."

FlexMove is the result of Philips' global investment in Healthcare R&D, which amounted to a total of EUR 698 million in 2010. It highlights Philips' commitment to leading the way by developing dedicated solutions for the fast growing market of Hybrid OR. This results in a process of continuous innovation and collaboration with leading surgeons, interventionalists and hospitals.

Minimally invasive surgical procedures are complex and technically demanding, requiring a high quality and highly flexible imaging solution. This type of surgical procedure is becoming increasing popular - for example, in Europe alone, it is estimated that more than 13,000 minimally invasive valve replacements were performed in 2010, a number that has been growing at high double-digit growth rates year on year.

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 119,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 25.4 billion in 2010, 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.