Johnson & Johnson MedTech (J&J MedTech) has launched the Soundstar Crystal ultrasound catheter in the US, enhancing intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) imaging for cardiac ablation procedures.
Soundstar Crystal is an advanced 2D ICE catheter featuring an 88-element phased linear array, delivering detailed visualisation of complex anatomical structures within the heart.
It offers superior image quality, easy integration with the CARTO 3 Mapping System, and improved visualisation during procedures.
The CARTO 3 system includes the CARTOSOUND FAM module, simplifying the workflow using images from a rotation of the ultrasound catheter in the right atrium.
The CARTOSOUND FAM module streamlines workflow by automatically generating left atrial anatomy using AI-powered mapping capabilities.
The integration supports effective cardiac ablation procedures, enabling electrophysiologists to perform them with greater ease and accuracy.
Johnson & Johnson MedTech electrophysiology president Jasmina Brooks said: “We are proud to advance our legacy in integrated ultrasound catheters with this latest innovation that equips electrophysiologists with the tools they need to promote patient safety and drive effective results.
“The superior image quality, improved catheter manoeuvrability and stability of the Soundstar Crystal Ultrasound Catheter, along with seamless CARTO 3 System integration, can help enable a zero-fluoroscopy workflow, enhancing procedure effectiveness and safety for both healthcare professionals and patients they treat.”
ICE technology is widely utilised in catheter ablation procedures to provide high-resolution heart visualisation, facilitating real-time monitoring of catheter-tissue contact and ablation.
When combined with a 3D electroanatomical mapping system like the CARTO 3 System, ICE supports reconstructing cardiac anatomy and supports zero-fluoroscopy procedures.
Soundstar Crystal is the latest addition to J&J MedTech’s ultrasound solutions portfolio. The company recently introduced the NUVISION Catheter, which employs advanced 4D imaging to assist in cardiac procedures such as Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC).
