Philips Healthcare has launched a new live 3D image-guidance tool that supports minimally-invasive oncology procedures.
EmboGuide is designed to be used to treat difficult-to-reach tumors or tumors in patients who are deemed unsuitable for surgery. It is used with Philips' interventional x-ray system to perform tumor embolization procedures, which involve blocking the arteries feeding a tumor to deprive it of nutrients and oxygen. These procedures require the insertion of a catheter, which must be guided to the tumor site with the aid of live image-guidance, according to the vendor.
The device was developed in collaboration with healthcare firm BTG, and is a result of Philips' global investment in healthcare research and development, on which it spent 780 million euros in 2013.
