Stereotaxis establishes 1st robotic heart procedure program in Italy

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Stereotaxis announced that a hospital in Italy established the first robotic cardiac heart program in the region. Hospital Santa Maria della Pietà, in Nola in the Metropolitan City of Naples, established the program. Now, doctors there can treat patients with heart rhythm disorders using robotic ablation procedures. The hospital becomes the first in Italy to adopt the Stereotaxis Genesis robotic magnetic navigation (RMN) system.

Stereotaxis RNM uses robotic precision and safety for cardiac ablation. Genesis uses smaller magnets that rotate along their center of mass, allowing for responsiveness to physician control. The smaller system can improve the patient experience, provide greater patient access, and increase lab space. Flexible, rugged robotic arms hold the agents to increase the potential range of motion and allow for wider X-ray angulation.

Dr. Mario Volpicelli, head of the hospital’s electrophysiology unit, said Genesis provides “an unprecedented level of precision and control” in cardiac ablation. Volpicelli added that it helps to target arrhythmias accurately while minimizing the risk to patients.

“We are honored to partner with Hospital Santa Maria della Pietà in bringing the benefits of robotics to patients in Italy,” said David Fischel, Stereotaxis chair and CEO. “The adoption of the Genesis system reflects our shared commitment to advancing standard of care, innovation, and patient-focused solutions in electrophysiology.”

A hospital in Kentucky performed the first procedures with the Genesis surgical robotic system late last year. Stereotaxis also has an ongoing surgical robotics collaboration with Abbott, which had milestone developments last fall.

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Stereotaxis to acquire Access Point Technologies

The company last week announced it’s purchasing a Minneapolis-based electrophysiology (EP) catheter maker to further enhance its minimally invasive endovascular surgical robotics technology. The company did not disclose how much it is paying for Access Point Technologies in its after-hours news release. The transaction, paid with Stereotaxis stock, includes an upfront payment and additional contingent payments based upon key regulatory and commercial milestones.

“Acquiring APT provides Stereotaxis with high-quality catheter development and manufacturing capabilities, and will amplify and accelerate Stereotaxis’ efforts to advance the treatment of complex arrhythmias and the adoption of robotics broadly within endovascular surgery,” said Stereotaxis CEO David Fischel. “The acquisition offers valuable commercial synergies, strengthens us strategically, and was pursued in a financially prudent and shareholder-friendly fashion.”

Company officials estimate that APT will contribute roughly $5 million in annual revenue during the first year after the acquisition. Pending customary closing conditions, the acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter.

Editor’s Note: This article was syndicated from The Robot Report’s sibling site MassDevice.