Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) and Imricor Medical Systems (ASX: IMR) have announced a new iMR lab solution for Philips 1.5T MR. The companies made the announcement as part of their ongoing collaboration in interventional MR procedures. Philips is a global health technology leader. Imricor is a pioneer in MR-compatible products for interventional MR procedures. Together, the companies developed the new iMR lab solution for cardiac intervention.
The first commercially available configuration combines Philips’ 1.5T MRI platform with Imricor’s iMR systems and consumables. As a result, physicians can use an MR-guided workflow for cardiac intervention. The solution maintains the benefits of the 1.5T MR field strength. It also combines advanced imaging with interventional capabilities. Therefore, clinicians can gain greater tissue insight during cardiac procedures.
Greater Tissue Insight for Cardiac Intervention
Cardiac arrhythmias affect millions of people worldwide. Meanwhile, catheter ablation remains an established treatment for many complex cardiac arrhythmias. However, these procedures still depend largely on X-ray fluoroscopy. This approach provides indirect soft tissue visualization. It also exposes patients and clinical teams to ionizing radiation.
MRI has already changed cardiac diagnosis. It allows clinicians to view cardiac anatomy and tissue with significant detail. Now, bringing MRI into intervention could provide additional clinical benefits. The iMR lab solution aims to support more precise therapy guidance. It can also help physicians assess treatment response during procedures. Additionally, clinicians may identify potential therapy gaps before patients leave the procedure room.
The approach creates a radiation-free work environment within an iMR lab.
“Our ambition is not only to advance what clinicians can see with MRI, but also what they can do with it,” said Ioannis Panagiotelis, PhD, Business Leader, Magnetic Resonance at Philips. “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.”
Panagiotelis added, “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.”
iMR Lab Solution Built on 1.5T MRI
The new iMR lab solution combines Philips’ high-performance 1.5T MRI platform with Imricor’s MR-compatible systems and consumables. The companies said the setup creates a connected environment for MR-guided cardiac intervention. It also marks another milestone in their long-standing collaboration. Their shared goal focuses on bringing MR-guided cardiac intervention into routine clinical practice.
The first commercial configuration includes Philips’ Cardiac MR Suite. The suite features SmartHeart AI-powered cardiac planning and advanced cardiac imaging applications. It also includes Imricor’s NorthStar® iMR mapping and guidance system. The configuration features the Advantage-MR® EP Recorder/Stimulator as well. The Vision-MR® family of electrophysiology catheters also forms part of the configuration.
Together, these technologies support several steps during cardiac procedures. Physicians can visualize cardiac anatomy and arrhythmia substrate. They can also actively track catheters during intervention. Furthermore, clinicians can perform electroanatomical mapping. They can assess lesion formation during procedures. They can also evaluate treatment response within the Philips 1.5T MR environment.
This integrated iMR lab solution gives hospitals a turnkey platform. It brings advanced imaging and intelligent workflows into one environment. The platform also incorporates MR-compatible interventional technologies. Therefore, hospitals can support MR-guided cardiac intervention through a connected workflow.
BlueSeal Technology Supports Hospital Installation
The solution uses Philips’ BlueSeal helium-free MRI technology. This feature can reduce the complexity involved in MRI installation. It can also support installation closer to cardiology departments. Consequently, hospitals may find it easier to adopt an iMR lab environment.
The technology provides a scalable foundation for future iMR-guided procedures. This approach could also support wider clinical applications over time.
“With interventional MR, the idea is not to move procedures into diagnostic MRI suites, but rather to bring MR imaging into the procedure room, a room we call an iMR lab,” said Steve Wedan, Founder and CEO of Imricor. “Our collaboration with Philips has always been driven by this shared vision, and with our combined iMR lab solution, that vision becomes a reality today. Pairing Philips’ world-class 1.5T MR platform with Imricor’s exclusive portfolio of advanced iMR systems and interventional tools creates the world’s first state-of-the-art high-performance iMR lab solution. We believe the future is about advanced image guidance for therapies and interventions, and the future is here now.”
The companies will showcase the iMR lab solution in Munich at ESC Congress 2026. The solution is commercially available immediately in CE-marked markets. It is also available in some configurations in the U.S. Further Imricor configurations are expected in the U.S. and other markets. However, availability will depend on required regulatory clearances.
The collaboration highlights the growing role of interventional MRI in cardiac care. It also demonstrates how advanced MRI technology can support cardiac electrophysiology. By combining Philips’ 1.5T MRI platform with Imricor’s technologies, the companies aim to expand MR-guided cardiac intervention. The iMR lab solution could therefore support a broader shift toward advanced image guidance. It may also help clinicians access more detailed tissue information during cardiac treatment.
Philips issued a Third-Party Product Compatibility Declaration for Imricor’s interventional MRI (iMR) equipment and consumables. NorthStar and the Vision-MR Diagnostic Catheter are commercially available in the U.S. Other Imricor products are not yet cleared/approved for sale in the U.S. Helium-free operations. 7 liters of helium is permanently enclosed in the cryogenic circuit.
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News Source: Businesswire.com
