FDA clears Philips AI solution that provides real-time guidance during complex minimally invasive heart valve repair

DeviceGuide was developed in close collaboration with Edwards Lifesciences, the global leader in structural heart innovation, aligning Philips’ imaging and AI expertise with Edwards’ expertise in valvular heart therapy development. Together, the companies have innovated image guidance of the mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (M-TEER) workflow to make these complex minimally invasive heart valve repair procedures more intuitive and streamlined.

DeviceGuide will be showcased at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2026 meeting in New Orleans, one of the world’s leading forums for cardiovascular innovation.

A leaking mitral valve, known as mitral regurgitation (MR), affects more than 35 million adults worldwide and over 2 million in the U.S. [3, 4]. Minimally invasive transcatheter techniques such as M-TEER offer an alternative to open heart surgery in selective patient populations.

During M-TEER procedures, physicians make a small skin incision to access a vein which allows the introduction of a catheter to the heart to deliver a repair device to the diseased mitral valve. Because the mitral valve is inherently a complex and heterogeneous structure, transcatheter repair of the valve requires experienced physicians positioning the device delivery system, and physicians guiding the placement of the device. In guiding and positioning the repair device, the intraprocedural heart team must interpret both X-ray and ultrasound images on multiple screens, communicate and coordinate movements between two operators, and make precise adjustments to grasp the moving valve leaflets and then confirm the result in real time. The process demands accuracy, coordination, and experience from the entire team – and this is where DeviceGuide can help with navigation guidance.

Built on Philips’ EchoNavigator echo-fluoro fusion technology, which combines live echocardiography images from Philips EPIQ CVxi cardiovascular platform with live X-ray images from Philips Azurion image-guided therapy system, DeviceGuide brings real-time AI guidance directly into the procedure room.

The software’s AI algorithm automatically tracks and visualizes the Edwards PASCAL Ace mitral valve repair device, combining live ultrasound and X-ray images into a single, integrated view. This helps clinicians navigate and position the device with greater clarity and confidence.

“The AI software serves as an assistive tool; the physician always remains in control. This isn’t about replacing expertise – it’s about amplifying it,” explains Dr. Atul Gupta, Chief Medical Officer Diagnosis & Treatment at Philips. “By embedding AI into the procedure, DeviceGuide gives physicians an extra pair of eyes, helping them treat more patients safely and confidently.”

“In helping to guide mitral repair procedures, one of my roles as an echocardiographer is to help the interventional cardiologist understand the complex anatomy of the valve which will determine the orientation, trajectory and position of the repair device relative to the target and the surrounding structures,” said Dr. Hahn. “Since AI auto-aligns imaging to the device in real time and continuously informs the interventionalist about the location of the device in space on the imaging screen, it minimizes unnecessary repositioning of the imaging window, streamlines procedural guidance and may improve the precision of device implantation.”

“DeviceGuide provides me with a visual overlay, trajectory line and orientation line of the therapy device in both live 3D echo and fluoroscopic images during mitral valve repair procedures,” said Dr. Kodali. “Having a single, intuitive presentation of real-time target, orientation and auto device-aligned views simplifies this procedure and improves team communication.”

“Structural heart procedures are among the fastest-growing areas in cardiology, and also among the most complex,” said Mark Stoffels, Business Leader, Image Guided Therapy Systems at Philips. “By assisting physicians with real-time visualization and navigation inside the beating heart, DeviceGuide helps them manage that complexity, and perform procedures more confidently, with the ultimate goal to treat more patients effectively. It fits seamlessly into cath-lab workflows and gives the entire team a shared view of the procedure, improving coordination and confidence.”

DeviceGuide extends Philips’ connected cardiology portfolio that helps physicians care for heart patients from diagnosis through recovery. It also represents a step toward Philips’ vision of the AI-powered cath lab of the future where imaging, devices, and real-time data are intelligently connected to reduce procedural complexity and improve consistency. In hospitals, Philips systems already bring together ultrasound, X-ray, and real-time data into a unified workflow to guide minimally invasive procedures. Building on this foundation, intelligent software solutions such as DeviceGuide help care teams navigate complex structural heart interventions with greater clarity and coordination, serving as an assistive “copilot” in the procedure room.

After treatment, Philips connected monitoring tools extend care beyond the cath lab, helping care teams detect complications early and support recovery. Together, these innovations create a connected cardiology ecosystem that helps care teams diagnose earlier, treat less invasively, improve procedural efficiency, and support recovery – improving outcomes and experiences for heart patients everywhere.

DeviceGuide enabled by EchoNavigator is FDA 510(k) cleared in the United States. Commercial availability is subject to market release and applicable regulatory requirements. DeviceGuide is currently intended for use with the Edwards PASCAL Ace Mitral Valve Repair System. Availability outside the U.S. varies by country and regulatory status.

A recent first-in-human publication in JACC: Case Reports describes early clinical experience using DeviceGuide for AI-supported imaging guidance during mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair procedures.

Read more on how Philips DeviceGuide works here.

Philips DeviceGuide enabled by EchoNavigator R5 is not available for sale or use in all countries. Its availability is subject to local regulatory clearance and market release. Please contact your Philips representative for details on product availability in your region.

Dr. Hahn reports Institutional funding to Columbia University and/or the Cardiovascular Research Foundation from Philips North America LLC, and from Edwards Lifesciences Corporation.