Philips has launched SmartIQ, a coronary imaging technology for its Azurion image-guided therapy platform designed to improve image quality while reducing radiation dose.
The technology includes an ultra-low dose protocol that uses more than 50% less x-ray radiation compared with the lowest dose settings available in Philips' ClarityIQ platform, according to the company. A first blinded clinical pilot study published in the Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions found that SmartIQ scored higher on image quality and was preferred in the majority of blinded comparisons while maintaining or lowering radiation and contrast dose, Philips said.
SmartIQPhilips
SmartIQ builds on ClarityIQ, which has previously been associated with radiation exposure reductions of 23% to 83% depending on clinical area, the firm noted. An ongoing trial, RADIQAL, is assessing SmartIQ's impact on radiation dose compared to ClarityIQ and has reached 60% of total enrollment, with final results expected in due course.
SmartIQ has received the CE Mark and is available in Europe and selected markets on new and existing Azurion systems. It has not received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance.
