Magnetic Navigation System

The Axion Artis dBC system's biplane configuration enables clinicians at The Cleveland Clinic (OH, USA) to use the system as either a biplane angiography C-arm system or as a magnetic navigation system. The system was developed by Siemens Medical Solutions (Erlangen, Germany). The Cleveland Clinic, the first institution to use this technology, imaged its first patient with the magnetic navigation system in July 2005. The institution's use of the technology will provide treatment capabilities as well as opportunities for research and education.

"We are committed to offering our patients the best quality of patient care, made possible in part by using new medical technologies,” said Andrea Natale, director, electrophysiology laboratories, and co-section head, pacing and electrophysiology, department of cardiovascular medicine, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. "The flexibility of the system's biplane configuration allows us to perform procedures we previously were unable to complete on one system, saving valuable time.”

The system incorporates Siemens' advanced digital fluoroscopic imaging system, the Axiom Artis flat panel detector system, with Stereotaxis' (Maple Grove, MN, USA) Niobe magnetic navigation system, to direct and digitally control catheter- and guidewire-based devices along complicated pathways within the heart and coronary vasculature. Utilizing computer-controlled permanent magnets outside of the body for orienting the magnetic tip of specially designed catheters and guidewires, the system allows for 360o rotation of the catheter for greater accuracy and better movement.




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Siemens Medical Solutions