Monday, October 13, 2008

Boston Scientific partners with GE Healthcare on ultrasound

By Mass High Tech Staff

Natick-based Boston Scientific Corp. and medical technologies company GE Healthcare announced a new product collaboration to provide better results with diagnostic intravascular ultrasounds. The partnership will pair Boston Scientific’s iLab Ultrasound Imaging System with GE Healthcare’s (NYSE: GE) Innova Cardiovascular X-ray System to improve the workflow when using the products together, officials said.

Intravascular ultrasounds involved using small catheters placed into the vascular system to create an internal “cross-sectional image” using sound waves.

GE’s Innova is an X-ray cardio-imaging system that is completely digital and helps physicians view the smallest vessels in detail. Boston Scientific’s iLab system will be utilized with the Innova X-ray imaging technology. No financial details of the deal were released.

The companies stated that clinicians and surgeons could use the combined devices to better perform an array of cardiovascular procedures — namely coronary stent insertions — and diagnostics.

The companies said the iLab and Innova will be presented at this week’s Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics Scientific Symposium in Washington, D.C.

Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) reported a 2007 net loss of $495 million on revenue of $8.4 billion.