Philips Healthcare ($PHG) and Infraredx will jointly develop an enhanced high-tech catheterization lab, both companies have disclosed.
Neither side is disclosing financial terms, as is typical with these deal agreements. But they will blend Infaredx's true vessel characterization (TVC) imaging system with Philips' catheterization lab imaging tech, specifically Philips' Allura Xper systems.
The idea here is to create a state-of-the-art way to image blood vessels and map out the extent of a patient's cardiovascular disease, particularly the buildup of lipid core plaques in blood vessels. And blending both companies' tech is envisioned to make that process both more efficient and quicker, with better-detailed imagery at the end.
Beyond that, however, Infraredx gets to boost the reach of its imaging tech by allying with Philips' globally known name. Infraredx says its TVC imaging system is gaining wider use in both the U.S. and in Europe. It's designed, in part, to help cardiologists figure out which patients could have stenting complications by evaluating both blood vessel structure and composition by using both intravascular ultrasound and near-infrared spectroscopy.
Infraredx partnered to boost its market presence in Asia as well. Japan's Nipro has agreed to pursue marketing approval for and distribute the Infraredx imaging system.
- read the release