The affected devices were distributed to hospitals from 2007 to 2021. 

The 'right to repair' debate is one that could impact heart teams and device manufacturers for years to come. Some hospitals have had a head start, accusing one company of unfair repair policies that put patients at risk. 

Once the transaction is finalized, the combined entity will go by the name HeartFlow Group and be listed on the New York Stock Exchange as “HFLO.”

"This is a safe and affordable new data point that can clue us in about who might develop atrial fibrillation," one researcher said. 

A team of cardiologists evaluated echocardiography data from more than 3,000 U.S. patients.

The updated technique is still in the research phase—but Philips hopes to implement it in more clinical settings in the near future. 

The algorithm measures the amount of fat surrounding a person's heart, using that information to create an accurate diabetes risk assessment. 

This new measurement, researchers explained, can help clinicians target high-risk patients with more aggressive treatments.