Stereotaxis launches cardiac catheter module in Europe

St. Louis-based Stereotaxis, a cardiac technology maker, launched its e-Contact module in Europe last week, bringing a device to market that can significantly ease the jobs of cardiologists.

The device provides physicians with a simple-to-interpret indicator of catheter tip-to-tissue contact, according to a press release from the company. Since the device can transmit radio frequency energy from the catheter tip into tissue, it can create effective lesions to treat arrhythmias during electrophysiology procedures.

“The e-Contact module is another important building block as we methodically advance towards reliable, reproducible and rapid automation,” said David Fischel, chairman and acting CEO of Stereotaxis, in a statement. “We believe that automation will be transformational for EP, with the ability to be the most efficacious, efficient and safest platform enabling individualized therapy to patients across a broad range of arrhythmias.”

Other tools on the market rely on measuring force as a proxy for this electrical process, but Stereotaxis’ device allows RF energy to be delivered directly into the tissue, which improves patient outcomes and reduces procedure times.

“The e-Contact module is a great addition to the Niobe magnetic navigation system,” said Tamas Szili-Torok, MD, PhD, from the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in a statement. “Given the stable focal contact that Niobe provides, a simple indication of contact is perfect. When the system indicates optimal contact I am confident that I can deliver energy effectively into tissue. When the indicator shows little or no contact, I maneuver the catheter to improve the situation. The e-Contact module has allowed me to further streamline my procedures to the point where I am now able to deliver customized treatment to my patients more efficiently than with other technologies, while still having the benefit of the Niobe system’s unmatched safety profile.”