Philips Launches VeriSight Pro 3D ICE Catheter in Europe to Enhance Minimally Invasive Heart Procedures

Royal Philips, a global leader in health technology, has announced the European launch of its VeriSight Pro 3D Intracardiac Echocardiography (ICE) catheter. After achieving success in the U.S., this device is now being introduced in Europe to bring real-time 3D imaging directly inside the heart, enhancing procedural clarity without requiring general anesthesia.

Intended for procedures like transcatheter valve repair and left atrial appendage closure, VeriSight Pro delivers high-resolution 2D and 3D images from within the heart. This capability supports confident clinical decisions in both structural heart and electrophysiology procedures, eliminating the need for general anesthesia and its associated risks.

“With VeriSight Pro 3D ICE, we now have the ability to see detailed cardiac anatomy from inside the heart in real time,” said Prof. Dr. Jörg Hausleiter of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) in Munich, Germany. “This helps streamline our workflows and makes complex procedures more accessible to patients who may not tolerate more invasive imaging approaches.”

Structural heart disease is an increasing concern across Europe, and more procedures like valve repair and closure are being performed. These interventions often rely on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), which typically requires general anesthesia, extra personnel, and longer procedure times. 3D ICE offers a less invasive alternative, using a catheter inserted through the femoral vein to obtain detailed internal heart images. This reduces the burden on hospitals and shortens patient recovery times.

VeriSight Pro is a cutting-edge device featuring a miniaturized ultrasound probe, only about 3 millimeters in diameter, positioned at the tip of a thin, steerable catheter. This design allows the probe to navigate through blood vessels into the heart, where it produces real-time 2D and 3D images. By providing internal imaging with controllable scan angles, VeriSight Pro offers new opportunities for guiding interventions — from evaluating anatomy and directing device placement to confirming outcomes — all from a single access point. As the first ICE catheter to bring miniaturized 3D TEE-like imaging technology into the heart, it helps overcome several barriers to efficient and scalable care, including patient comfort and limited procedural resources.

“VeriSight Pro reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering clinically relevant innovations that enhance precision, reduce procedure complexity, and improve the care experience,” said Stacy Beske, Business Leader of Image-Guided Therapy Devices at Philips. “Its availability in Europe is an important milestone in helping more patients benefit from image-guided, minimally invasive heart procedures, while supporting care teams with integrated solutions that adapt to the way they work.”

This new catheter is part of Philips' broader ecosystem for treating structural heart disease. It integrates with the EPIQ ultrasound platform and the Azurion image-guided therapy system. Tools like EchoNavigator further support these workflows, enabling clinicians to carry out procedures such as mitral and tricuspid valve repair or replacement, atrial septal defect closure, and left atrial appendage occlusion.

VeriSight Pro includes features like xPlane and iRotate, which allow for simultaneous viewing of two image planes and digital adjustment of the scan angle — eliminating the need to manually move the catheter. This streamlines image acquisition and supports more accurate interventions.

At EuroPCR 2025 in Paris (May 20–23), Philips will showcase VeriSight Pro’s capabilities. Activities will include:

• A symposium titled “Advanced Imaging in Structural Heart Disease Interventions” (May 20), featuring expert case presentations from both American and European clinicians using 3D ICE and AI-powered imaging tools.

• A hands-on training village offering practical experience with VeriSight Pro via Mentice simulators, supported by Philips staff and in partnership with Edwards Lifesciences.

• An immersive virtual reality training event for invited guests, highlighting clinical workflows for procedures like left atrial appendage occlusion and transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) with live-simulation headsets.

These sessions will offer clinicians a detailed look at how 3D ICE is being applied in real clinical settings—from protocol development to integration in workflows and improvements in patient outcomes.