Philips and Imricor Collaboration Advances MRI-Guided Cardiac Procedures

These procedures typically rely on X-ray fluoroscopy, which provides only indirect visualization of soft tissue while exposing patients and staff to ionizing radiation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers detailed views of cardiac anatomy and tissue characteristics, but its use has remained limited in interventional procedures. A new system has now launched to bring MRI-based tissue visualization into cardiac ablation on a 1.5-tesla platform.

Royal Philips and Imricor Medical Systems have introduced an Interventional MR (iMR) lab solution for Philips 1.5T MR. The first commercially available configuration combines Philips’ 1.5T MRI platform with Imricor’s portfolio of iMR systems and consumables, enabling MR-guided cardiac interventions while maintaining full 1.5-tesla field strength. The integrated environment is designed as a turnkey platform for MR-guided cardiac procedures and represents the latest milestone in the companies’ collaboration.

The configuration combines Philips’ Cardiac MR Suite, including SmartHeart artificial intelligence-powered cardiac planning and advanced cardiac imaging, with Imricor’s NorthStar iMR mapping and guidance system, Advantage-MR electrophysiology (EP) Recorder/Stimulator, and Vision-MR family of EP catheters. 

Together, these technologies support visualization of cardiac anatomy and arrhythmia substrate, active catheter tracking, electroanatomical mapping, lesion assessment, and evaluation of treatment response throughout the procedure within the 1.5T MR environment. The solution is also built on Philips’ BlueSeal helium-free MRI technology, which is intended to reduce siting complexity and facilitate installation closer to cardiology departments.

“Our ambition is not only to advance what clinicians can see with MRI, but also what they can do with it. Philips has a long history of helping clinicians perform image-guided procedures with confidence, and we believe MRI can play an even greater role in providing care. With this new iMR lab solution, enabled through our collaboration with Imricor, we’re expanding the role of cardiac MRI from diagnosis into the treatment environment,” said Ioannis Panagiotelis, PhD, Business Leader, Magnetic Resonance at Philips.

“Cardiac electrophysiology is just the beginning. This iMR lab solution represents an important step in Philips’ strategy to advance MRI across the care continuum, creating a platform that can expand into additional clinical areas while helping clinicians deliver the best possible care for their patients,” added Panagiotelis.