Last week, TopSpin Medical received USFDA approval to start U.S. clinical trials of its IntraVascular MRI (IVMRI) catheter which is intended for the characterization of lipid-rich lesions in the coronary arteries.

The IVMRI catheter technology enables MRI to be performed in the clinic for the first time with no external magnets.

In addition, TopSpin Medical announced the completion of the development of a prototype of its advanced generation IVMRI catheter on time as planned.

This advanced generation IVMRI catheter prototype is a further technological breakthrough in the miniaturization of the sensors and in the ability to integrate a number of sensors for imaging longer arterial segments in a short acquisition time.

TopSpin MEdical projects that it will receive marketing clearance in Europe by the end of 2006, and aims to receive marketing clearance in the US by the middle of 2007 for the IVMRI catheter.

Read more at PR Newswire.

Photo Credit: TopSpin Medical