Biotronik shows off new MRI AutoDetect technology at HRS2017
Just last week, Lake Oswego, Oregon-based Biotronik announced that two of its new products, the SentusProMRI and its MultiPole Pacing technology, were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This week at the annual Heart Rhythm Society conference in Chicago, the company showed off the new devices.
The SentusProMRI is a thin quadripolar left ventricular lead with an isodiametric design that combines co-radial wire insulation and polyurethane coating to boost flexibility and reduce friction. The approval of it completes Biotronik’s second-generation of its ProMRI lead portfolio.
Its MultiPole Pacing technology is a feature now integrated into Biotronik CRT-D devices that allows the left ventricle to be paced twice per cardiac cycle. The company's new pacemakers, ICDs and CRT devices also now include the Biotronik’s MRI AutoDetect technology, which can recognize an MRI environment, convert the patient's device to MRI mode, and then automatically return to its permanent program when a scan is complete.
Biotronik believes it's ahead of the curve since it is the only company offering this type of MRI detection technology, said Rupa Basu, the senior vice president of corporate strategy at Biotronik U.S. in an interview with Cardiovascular Business.
As healthcare professionals are increasingly looking for ways to improve quality and efficiency, Biotronik’s technology could be an optimal choice for cardiologists looking for pacemakers and leads, according to Basu.
“We are uniquely positioned to help healthcare providers meet their goals,” Basu said. “We provide the best possible care for the patient with reduced costs.”
The MRI AutoDetect technology helps cut costs and time by eliminating the need for extra technicians and clinicians who would normally have to manually switch a patient’s device to its MRI setting. The simplicity of Biotronik’s technology also decreases chances of poor outcomes, the company said.
Biotronik is now selling the new devices, and is expected to ship the first orders of them early next week.
“We are confident based on how we manufacture our products that we will have less of a chance of a recall,” she said. “We’ve built everything ourselves, which is very different from our competitors."
Senior Writer
As a Senior Writer for TriMed Media Group, Katherine primarily focuses on producing news stories, Q&As and features for Cardiovascular Business. She reports on several facets of the cardiology industry, including emerging technology, new clinical trials and findings, and quality initiatives among providers. She is based out of TriMed's Chicago office and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Columbia College Chicago. Her work has appeared in Modern Healthcare, Crain's Chicago Business and The Detroit News. She joined TriMed in 2016.