Philips acquires Canadian minimally invasive instrument supplier
Traxtal
6 May 2009
Royal Philips Electronics (AEX: PHI, NYSE: PHG) has announced that it
has acquired Canada-based Traxtal Inc., an innovative medical technology
company in the field of minimally-invasive instruments and software for
image-guided intervention and therapy.
Traxtal’s navigation solution functions as a GPS for medical
instruments, designed to make interventional radiology procedures more
accurate while aiming to reduce contrast, radiation dose and
interventional time. Coupled with Philips’ strong position in medical
imaging, this acquisition enables Philips to become one of the leading
healthcare solutions providers for image guided procedures.
”Image-guided procedures are one of the most important breakthroughs
in the healthcare industry in decades. This acquisition allows Philips
to significantly enhance its abilities in this rapidly emerging field,
and will help us further realize our ambition to offer the best quality
of care in the most efficient way possible,” said Steve Rusckowski,
Chief Executive Officer of Philips’ Healthcare sector.
”Philips is already a leader in providing solutions that enable the
opening of obstructed arteries under x-ray guidance. The acquisition of
Traxtal, with its innovative technologies in image-based navigation,
opens up great opportunities for further cutting edge,
minimally-invasive intervention and therapy solutions in combination
with our other leading diagnostic and imaging products in ultrasound, CT
and MR. This is consistent with our care cycle approach in key strategic
areas such as women’s health, oncology and cardiology, extending our
solutions beyond diagnosis into image guidance and therapy,” Mr.
Rusckowski continued.
Traxtal complements Philips’ offering in the area of
minimally-invasive procedures. Traxtal’s navigation solution displays,
during the procedure, the instrument’s position, orientation, and
trajectory on medical images such as ultrasound or CT. An example is the
radiofrequency ablation of liver tumours — during this procedure
Traxtal’s PercuNav system helps guide and monitor the positioning of the
ablation needle towards the centre of the lesion.
Traxtal, headquartered in Toronto, is a pioneer in the innovation,
development and manufacturing of computer assisted soft tissue
navigation technologies. Traxtal was founded in 1996 to develop advanced
instrumentation for image guided intervention, and currently has 45
employees. Philips has had a partnership with Traxtal to provide
integrated soft tissue therapeutic and diagnostic navigation solutions
since 2006. Traxtal will become part of the Ultrasound business within
the Philips Healthcare sector. Financial details of this agreement were
not disclosed.
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