Bringing Robotics To The Catheter Lab (NAPSA)—Increasingly, technology is helping cardiologists get to the heart of patient care. One example is a system that improves upon the common procedure of using a catheter in cardiac procedures. While catheters are far less invasive than previous surgical methods, they must be positioned by hand and are generally considered difficult to maneuver. Now, researchers have combined imaging technology with magnets to create a system that can remotely direct and digitally control catheter-based devices along complex paths within the body. The fully integrated, imageguided, computerized, magnetic navigation and control system— called Artis-Niobe—stems from the combination of Siemens’ AXIOM Artis dFC Magnetic Navigation Imaging System and Stereotaxis’ Niobe Magnets. “Cardiac catheterization procedures are up more than 50 percent in the past eight years,” said Christos Kantemeridis, Artis dFC Magnetic Navigation product manager, Siemens Medical Solutions. “Cardiologists need solu- tions that are less invasive, easier to control. Catheter-based procedures performed manually today can be very difficult and lengthy. This new method can improve the efficiency and work flow of the cath lab and enable new cardiac applications.” With Artis-Niobe, which uses oe rs = With the use of a magnetic imaging system, doctors see the potential to better treat heart conditions. Siemens’ most advanced digital fluoroscopic imaging system, a magnetic-tipped catheter device is controlled by simultaneous movement of Niobe magnets. This approach allows for a 360degree rotation of the catheter. “T am confident that magnetic navigation during interventional cardiology procedures will prove extremely helpful, especially in tortuous anatomy and chronic total occlusions,” said Gary L. Schaer, M.D., director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories at Rush-Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Chicago. Siemens Medical Solutions is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. To learn more about Artis-Niobe, visit www.siemensmedical.com.
