Hansen Medical, Inc., a global leader in intravascular robotics, recently announced the completion of the world’s first clinical procedure using its Magellan Robotic Microcatheter Driver as part of the clinical study, “Embolization Procedures in Peripheral Vasculature.” The study case was a prostate artery embolization (PAE), a non-surgical procedure to treat benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) through a blockade of arteries that feed the prostate gland, allowing it to shrink.
The study’s principal investigator, Dr. Marc Sapoval, MSc, and Dr. Gregory Amouyal performed the procedure at Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou (HEGP-APHP) in France.
The Magellan Robotic Microcatheter Driver is the latest design in the company’s family of approved devices, and is intended to provide for robotic navigation and control of a wide variety of third-party microcatheters and for expand use of the Magellan Robotic System. Physicians use the Magellan Robotic System to navigate peripheral blood vessels in a variety of endovascular procedures, to enable precise steering of Magellan Robotic Catheters and guide wires through complex anatomy, providing a highly stable platform for the manual delivery of therapy. Image-guided medical procedures using interventional fluoroscopy, however, are the principal cause of occupational ionizing radiation exposure for medical professionals; with Magellan procedures, physicians can be seated at a remote physician console, away from radiation, to control robotic catheters and guide wires.
“We are pleased to complete the world’s first clinical procedure using the Magellan Microcatheter Driver as part of this clinical study,” explained Dr. Sapoval in a company news release. “Manual control of microcatheters and microwires can be challenging, particularly in tortuous anatomy. By utilizing the Microcatheter Driver in conjunction with the Magellan 6Fr Robotic Catheter, we are enhancing the utility of the Magellan Robotic System and realizing its potential in a pivotal aspect of embolization procedures. ”
“Today’s announcement is an important milestone for Hansen Medical. Upon regulatory approval, the Magellan Robotic Microcatheter Driver will be an important expansion of our product line and represents a step forward in our goal toward vascular interventions that will eventually be performed 100% robotically,” added Cary Vance, President & CEO of Hansen Medical. “By advancing microcatheters with the Magellan System, we expect to add greater precision while continuing to provide physicians the benefit of reduced exposure to procedural radiation. We are pleased to partner with HEGP-APHP as part of our shared commitment to improve the care of patients through the application of advanced technologies.”
The Magellan Robotic System is commercially available in the U.S. and Europe.