Image-guided interventions and therapy - a growing opportunity

Minimally invasive procedures are increasingly replacing more costly open surgery, particularly in oncology, radiology and cardiology applications. Advantages of minimally invasive procedures include shorter patient recovery times, greater patient comfort, lower risk of complications, and faster patient throughput. For care providers these benefits combine to result in the potential for substantial cost savings. The global market for image guided navigation is expected to reach US $600 million by 2015.

Over 70 percent of all cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. Through its substantial international presence, this will enable Philips to capitalize on the global opportunity for Traxtal’s technology in the future. A market with particularly high potential is China, which accounts for approximately 60 percent of all liver cancer and 32 percent of all lung cancer cases worldwide.

Acquisition builds on Philips’ expertise in image-guided interventions

During minimally invasive procedures clinicians rely on combined information from different sources to build up a mental picture of their actions. Typically, a source of static anatomical information, such as a CT scan carried out before a procedure, is combined with real-time functional information from a device such as an ultrasound scanner. Philips Healthcare is a leading provider of CT and Ultrasound scanners, as well as other diagnostic and interventional imaging devices including X-ray and MR scanners.

Minimally invasive procedures are carried out with delivery systems such as needles and catheters. The images provide the map that allows a physician to guide these instruments through the body to the relevant areas. With the acquisition of Traxtal, Philips is now well positioned to leverage its expertise to enable image-guided interventions and therapies with the integration of imaging, instruments and therapeutics.

Development of solutions for interventional radiology/oncology

In the field of interventional radiology/oncology, Philips is developing innovative image-guidance technologies for increasing the range and quality of minimally invasive interventions and therapies in close cooperation with various clinical institutions. Philips is working on solutions to integrate images from different sources into a single, combined image, as well as to add navigational information of instruments to these images. This increases the confidence of interventional clinicians in clinical decision making and ultimately helps improve patient care.

One approach explored by Philips uses non-line-of-sight electromagnetic tracking with ultrasound and CT imaging. Scientists at Philips and Traxtal have developed a multi-modal solution with integrated electromagnetic tracking technologies to support interventional procedures. Miniaturized sensor coils are built into the instruments. By processing the signal from the sensor coil in an electromagnetic field, a medical instrument tip position can be localized in space during the interventional procedure or surgery. The virtual representation of the instrument is then superimposed on the pre-acquired 3D image from the CT scan. The same technology also allows for fusing real-time ultrasound images with pre-procedural images like PET, CT, MR or X-ray.

Philips, together with Traxtal’s electromagnetic tracking technology, enables real-time tracking of interventional tools based on advanced imaging, and as a result the clinician can clearly see where the instruments are precisely located in relation to the patient’s anatomy. This additional information can potentially help reduce procedure times, improve accuracy, and increase patient safety. Many patients are and will continue to benefit from minimally invasive image-guided interventions and therapeutic techniques from Philips in the realms of cardiology, oncology and women’s healthcare.

Philips – expertise in image-guided interventions

Philips is already a leading provider of solutions for the opening of obstructed arteries under X-ray guidance. In this established market the company has a global market share between 30 and 50 percent in the various market segments. Scientists at Philips are also researching new minimally invasive solutions for lung and prostate biopsies to support cancer management, and the company is also engaged in several research activities to develop future solutions for cancer treatment through drug delivery in combination with Philips’ ultrasound technology.

With the number of global cancer deaths projected to increase 45 percent from 2007 to 2030, it is only by addressing the whole care cycle in prevention, early detection, diagnostics and targeted therapy that we will we be able to deliver better care and ultimately better patient outcomes. Philips provides integrated, innovative healthcare solutions at every stage of the care cycle, from screening and diagnosis to treatment, disease management and prevention. The company today focuses on several key areas in cancer; among them are colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer and breast cancer.