Live 3D Holographic Imaging for Use in Interventional Cardiology Assessed

Philips (Best, The Netherlands) and RealView Imaging, Ltd. (Yokneam, Israel) have completed a clinical study that has demonstrated the viability of using a unique live three-dimensional (3D) holographic visualization and interaction technology to guide minimally invasive structural heart disease procedures. In the pilot study that involved eight patients and was conducted in collaboration with the Schneider Children’s Medical Center (Petach Tikva, Israel), RealView’s innovative visualization technology was used to display interactive, real-time 3D holographic images acquired by Philips’ interventional X-ray and cardiac ultrasound systems.

Clinicians in the interventional team were able to view detailed dynamic 3D holographic images of the heart “floating in free space” during a minimally-invasive structural heart disease procedure, in addition to viewing the patient’s heart on a 2D screen, without using special eyewear. The physicians were also able to manipulate the projected 3D heart structures by just touching the holographic volumes in front of them. The study findings revealed the potential of the technology to optimize the context and guidance of structural heart repairs.


“The holographic projections enabled me to intuitively understand and interrogate the 3D spatial anatomy of the patient’s heart, as well as to navigate and appreciate the device-tissue interaction during the procedure,” said Dr. Einat Birk, pediatric cardiologist and director of the Institute of Pediatric Cardiology at Schneider Children’s Medical Center.

Dr. Elchanan Bruckheimer, pediatric cardiologist and director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories at Schneider Children’s Medical Center, added, “The ability to reach into the image and apply markings on the soft tissue anatomy in the X-ray and 3D ultrasound images would be extremely useful for guidance of these complex procedures.”

The findings of this unique pilot study were presented by Dr. Bruckheimer at the 25th annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific symposium, held October 27-November 1, 2013, in San Francisco (CA, USA), and sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation.

“Our ultimate goal is to create the future of healthcare by delivering innovative solutions that enhance clinical capabilities and improve patient outcomes,” said Bert van Meurs, general manager of integrated clinical solutions and marketing for imaging systems at Philips Healthcare. “By teaming up with partners that share our passion for innovation, we have been able to demonstrate the feasibility and potential value of the world’s first holographic visualization technology targeted at guiding minimally invasive cardiac procedures.”

“I see clear indications that 3D medical holography will play an important role in medical imaging in the near future,” said Aviad Kaufman, CEO of RealView Imaging. “With the advancement of live 3D imaging and increasing clinical evidence of its value for a variety of procedures, we are convinced that our holographic technology will further enhance 3D imaging and, most importantly, improve patient care.”

Progress in image-guided therapies for heart diseases—from the opening of obstructed coronary arteries to catheter ablation therapy for heart arrhythmias and catheter-based structural heart procedures (for example, heart valve replacements)—have greatly increased the need for live 3D image guidance, to supplement current live 2D image guidance. Live X-ray and live 3D cardiac ultrasound imaging are typically used simultaneously to guide minimally invasive structural heart repair procedures, with the ultrasound images providing detailed insights into the heart’s soft tissue anatomy, and the X-ray imaging providing visualization of catheters and heart implants.

The technologic developments in the acquisition of live 3D images to guide minimally invasive procedures have also triggered the development of novel ways to visualize the data. Following the promising findings generated by this pilot study, Philips and RealView Imaging will continue to examine the clinical benefits of integrating live 3D imaging and medical holography, both in interventional cardiology and in other clinical areas.

RealView’s proprietary technology projects hyper-realistic, dynamic 3D holographic images “floating in the air” without the need for any type of eyewear or a traditional 2D screen. The projected 3D volumes appear in free space, allowing the user to touch and interact precisely within the image, presenting a unique and proprietary advance in digital holography and real-time 3D interaction capabilities. Sample 3D holographic images can be seen at RealView’s Website.

Related Links:
Philips Healthcare
RealView Imaging
Schneider Children’s Medical Center