Imricor Expands VISABL-VT Trial to Prestigious Charité Hospital with Philips MRI Integration

A Prestigious Addition to VISABL-VT

Imricor Medical Systems has announced a major expansion of its VISABL-VT clinical trial with the inclusion of Charité University Hospital in Berlin, Germany, as the second site worldwide. This development underscores the growing momentum behind Imricor’s pioneering approach to cardiac ablation procedures guided by real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a technique that promises enhanced precision and safety over traditional x-ray fluoroscopy methods.

Charité’s involvement is particularly notable given its global reputation as a top-tier medical institution, consistently ranked among the world’s best hospitals. The trial at Charité will be led by Professor Dr Felix Hohendanner, a senior electrophysiologist, with oversight from Professor Dr Gerhard Hindricks, a leading figure in electrophysiology and former president of the European Heart Rhythm Association. Their leadership lends significant clinical credibility and expertise to the study.

Technological Integration and Regulatory Progress

The trial’s expansion is facilitated by recent technological advancements, including the integration of Imricor’s NorthStar Mapping System with Philips’ MRI platform. This upgrade allows complex ventricular tachycardia ablations to be performed within a Philips-based interventional cardiac MRI lab, enhancing procedural capabilities. Regulatory approvals have been updated to reflect these technological changes and to transition Imricor’s devices from investigational status to commercial CE-marked products, simplifying the trial’s operational framework.

Alongside the VISABL-VT trial, Charité’s electrophysiology team will commence commercial atrial flutter ablations in the MRI lab starting in the first quarter of 2026. This dual approach not only accelerates clinical adoption but also provides real-world data to support the broader use of MRI-guided ablation techniques.

Strategic Implications and Future Outlook

Imricor’s Chair and CEO, Steve Wedan, highlighted the significance of Charité’s participation as a transformative step for electrophysiology worldwide. The collaboration between Imricor and Philips over recent years has been pivotal in delivering advanced tools like the second-generation Vision-MR ablation catheter, positioning Imricor at the forefront of this emerging field.

Looking ahead, the success of the VISABL-VT trial at Charité could accelerate regulatory approvals beyond Europe, including the US FDA, and pave the way for wider commercial adoption. However, the timeline and impact of these developments remain to be seen, making the upcoming trial results and procedural rollouts critical indicators for investors and the medical community alike.