Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX ) the world's largest
medical device company dedicated to less invasive therapies announced
that it has signed an agreement with MediGuide, Inc., a private
company with development offices in Haifa, Israel.
The agreement includes an equity investment in MediGuide by Boston
Scientific, co-development responsibilities for integrating Boston
Scientific's device platforms with MediGuide's proprietary guidance
system, exclusive global distribution and an option for Boston
Scientific to acquire MediGuide at a future time.
Elbit Systems Ltd. (Nasdaq:ELST) is a majority shareholder in
MediGuide. Other investors in MediGuide Inc. currently include
VitaLife, V.C., The Fishman Group, Docor International and D.O.H.
Investment Ltd.
The agreement calls for developing and commercializing of technology
platforms in the field of 3-D intravascular imaging and intrabody
navigation. The initial focus of the alliance will be on
interventional cardiology.
MPS is designed to monitor the exact location and orientation of a
miniature sensor that can be integrated into existing catheter-based
therapeutic and diagnostic devices. This technology would more
accurately track the location of the device as it is manipulated
through the body and delivered to the treatment site.
In addition to opportunities in cardiovascular interventions, the
alliance will explore opportunities to develop "MPS-ready" devices in
the fields of radiology, neurosurgery, oncology, endoscopy,
orthopedics and other medical specialties.
Boston Scientific and MediGuide initially plan to develop a next
generation intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) system that would provide
physicians a three-dimensional intravascular image of coronary
arteries by integrating Boston Scientific's IVUS system and
MediGuide's Medical Positioning System (MPS). This enhanced imaging
capability would help physicians better assess the condition of the
artery and treatment options.
MediGuide has developed an advanced navigation system known as the
Medical Positioning System (referred to as MPS), which enables the
real time tracking of miniature sensors integrated into therapeutic
and diagnostic medical devices. These "MPS ready" devices will allow
physicians to accurately track progression of the device as they are
manipulated through the human anatomy while continuously registering
their exact location and orientation utilizing advanced diagnostic
systems such as Boston Scientific's intravascular ultrasound (known
as IVUS) system as well as additional non-invasive diagnostic systems
including angiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed
tomography scanning (CT).