Flexible Gantry Advances Image-Guided Procedures

A novel guiding arm can significantly reduce the need for patient repositioning during image-guided minimally invasive procedures.

The Royal Philips (Amsterdam, The Netherlands) Azurion image guided therapy (IGT) system with FlexArm makes it easier for the clinician to perform both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) imaging during complex interventions. As the clinician moves the system, the image beam automatically maintains alignment with the patient, allowing more consistent visualization and enabling them to focus on the treatment. FlexArm is powered by a unique kinematic engine that moves on eight different axes, all controlled with its single 'Axsys' controller.

The FlexArm 270-degree range of movement allows imaging positions to be reached without hampering optimal team positioning and without needing to move the patient table, thus avoiding disturbance to equipment and instruments, and keeping the anesthesia zone clear. FlexArm can also provide off-center imaging along both sides of the table, allowing physicians to perform radial access cases on the left or right arm, fully or partially extended, without moving the patient or pivoting the table; the X-ray beam always stays aligned with the imaging C-arm. The system is ideally suited for Hybrid ORs that cater to multiple specialties, such as a combination of surgical and endovascular procedures.

“Azurion is now established as our leading platform for interventional procedures, favored by clinicians for its intuitive, seamless approach that enables them to focus on treating the patient, and by hospital administrators for its positive impact on productivity and efficiency,” said Ronald Tabaksblat, business leader of image guided therapy systems at Philips. “FlexArm is the natural next step in our Azurion innovation journey, combining clinical and operational benefits to improve patient care and reduce costs, while opening up opportunities for new image-guided procedures.”

“FlexArm enables us to dramatically optimize procedures around the patient: we can get the optimal view of what's going on inside the patient without encumbering all of the clinicians that are working around the table,” said Barry Katzen, MD, founder of the Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute (FL, USA). “The result is an innovation that's not only clinically important but also very simple and intuitive to use – a critical factor in the heat of a complex procedure.”