St Jude Medical unveils new MediGuide Technology

St Jude Medical has unveiled a new 3D navigation system believed to be the first of its kind.

MediGuide Technology has been designed for use regarding the evaluation of vascular and cardiac anatomy on a recorded fluoroscopic image, as opposed to a series of live X-ray images through live fluoroscopy.

It is anticipated that the development will enable physicians to reduce the duration of radiation exposure during cardiovascular procedures – a move intended to bolster electrophysiology lab medical imaging processes.

Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, cardiologist at the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, explained MediGuide Technology should lead to cardiac procedures being performed with less fluoroscopy and reduced exposure to radiation.

The expert added: "This revolutionary system reduces the need for live fluoroscopy, while providing unprecedented views inside the heart, improving complex cardiac resynchronisation therapy and cardiac ablation image-guided procedures."

Acting in a similar manner to global positioning systems, the service enables physicians to accurately locate MediGuide Enabled devices in the heart.