Philips unveils SmartIQ AI coronary imaging platform for Azurion at EuroPCR 2026

THE NETHERLANDS—Royal Philips has unveiled SmartIQ, a next-generation coronary imaging technology developed for its Azurion image-guided therapy platform, marking a major step forward in cardiac imaging and radiation dose management.

The company introduced the innovation ahead of EuroPCR 2026 in Paris, one of the world’s leading cardiovascular conferences, where clinicians and researchers are exploring the latest advances in interventional cardiology.

Addressing a long-standing challenge in cardiology

SmartIQ was developed in collaboration with leading cardiovascular centers to tackle one of the most persistent challenges in coronary imaging: balancing high-quality images with lower radiation exposure for both patients and healthcare professionals.

The technology enhances image clarity while minimizing background noise, allowing clinicians to visualize critical details during procedures without increasing radiation levels.

Dr. Mark Winkens, an interventional cardiologist at Elisabeth-TweeSteden Hospital, said the technology allows clinicians to achieve exceptionally low radiation doses while still obtaining clearer images.

According to him, the development represents a significant improvement for both patient safety and clinical performance.

Philips noted that SmartIQ builds on its existing ClarityIQ platform, which has previously been linked to radiation reductions ranging from 23% to 83%, depending on the clinical application.

The new system introduces an ultra-low-dose protocol for coronary procedures that delivers more than 50% less X-ray radiation than the lowest ClarityIQ settings.

Clinical studies and early results

The company also highlighted findings from the first blinded pilot study evaluating SmartIQ, recently published in the Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions.

Researchers reported that the imaging algorithm consistently delivered higher image-quality scores while maintaining or lowering both radiation and contrast doses during coronary angiography procedures.

In parallel, Philips continues to expand its evidence-generation efforts through the ongoing RADIQAL trial, which compares SmartIQ with ClarityIQ in real clinical settings.

The study has already reached 60% enrolment and completed patient recruitment across European sites, with final trial results expected later.

Dr. Nicolaj Brejnholt Støttrup, an interventional cardiologist at Aarhus University Hospital, said image quality remains central to every decision made in the catheterization laboratory.

He added that SmartIQ delivered impressive clarity even at very low radiation levels.

Broader innovation strategy at EuroPCR 2026

Alongside SmartIQ, Philips is showcasing several new technologies at EuroPCR 2026, including IntraSight Plus, DeviceGuide, VeriSight Pro 3D ICE, and Hemo R2.

The company said these solutions combine imaging, physiology, and AI-enabled guidance into a unified workflow to improve efficiency and procedural confidence while supporting safer cardiac interventions.

The SmartIQ launch comes shortly after Philips reported strong first-quarter 2026 financial performance, with sales reaching EUR 3.9 billion (US$4.4 billion) and continued investment in AI-powered healthcare innovations.