AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, May 18, 2026
Royal Philips has introduced SmartIQ, a breakthrough AI-enabled coronary imaging technology developed for its Azurion image-guided therapy platform, aiming to solve one of the biggest challenges in interventional cardiology: balancing exceptional image quality with reduced radiation exposure during coronary procedures. The advanced imaging innovation was developed in collaboration with leading cardiovascular centers and is designed to help clinicians achieve greater image clarity while significantly lowering X-ray dose exposure for both patients and healthcare professionals.
Philips stated that SmartIQ introduces a next-generation ultra-low dose imaging protocol capable of reducing radiation exposure by more than 50% compared with the company’s previous lowest-dose ClarityIQ settings for coronary cine imaging. The company believes the technology represents one of its most important advances in cardiovascular imaging and radiation management to date, reinforcing growing industry demand for safer and more precise image-guided procedures.
SmartIQ Enhances Coronary Imaging While Lowering Radiation
Coronary angiography and image-guided cardiac procedures rely heavily on high-quality real-time imaging to visualize blood vessels, assess blockages, and guide interventional treatments such as stent placement and angioplasty. However, prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation during these procedures has remained an ongoing concern for both clinicians and patients, particularly in complex or lengthy cardiovascular interventions.
According to Philips, SmartIQ was specifically engineered to improve differentiation of critical anatomical details by generating contrast-rich images with reduced background noise, allowing physicians to maintain procedural confidence while operating at substantially lower radiation levels. Early clinical users reported that the technology delivered improved image clarity even under ultra-low-dose conditions.
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The imaging platform builds upon Philips’ established ClarityIQ technology, which has previously demonstrated radiation exposure reductions ranging from 23% to 83% across multiple clinical applications. SmartIQ advances those capabilities further by introducing optimized coronary imaging algorithms and enhanced image processing designed specifically for interventional cardiology workflows.
Philips executives emphasized that clinicians historically faced difficult trade-offs between achieving high-quality imaging and minimizing radiation exposure. The company believes SmartIQ may help eliminate that compromise by enabling high-definition imaging while continuing to reduce radiation and contrast agent exposure during coronary procedures.
Clinical Studies Support SmartIQ Imaging Performance
The first blinded pilot study evaluating SmartIQ was recently published in the Journal of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (JSCAI) and demonstrated strong image quality performance compared with standard imaging protocols. The study suggested that SmartIQ was preferred in the majority of blinded evaluations while maintaining or reducing both radiation dose and contrast usage.
Philips also confirmed ongoing enrollment progress in the company’s RADIQAL clinical trial, a multicenter randomized study evaluating SmartIQ’s impact on radiation reduction compared with existing ClarityIQ technology while maintaining procedural performance standards. The trial recently surpassed 60% enrollment completion and completed enrollment at European clinical sites, marking a major milestone in evidence generation efforts.
Healthcare experts believe radiation reduction technologies are becoming increasingly important within interventional cardiology due to rising procedural complexity, growing patient volumes, and increasing awareness regarding occupational radiation exposure risks among cath lab professionals.
AI-Driven Imaging Innovation Expands Across MedTech
SmartIQ represents Philips’ latest investment in AI-driven healthcare innovation and advanced image-guided therapy systems. The technology joins a broader portfolio of radiation management and imaging optimization solutions including DoseAware, LumiGuide, and EchoNavigator, all designed to improve procedural precision while reducing exposure risks across clinical environments.
Industry analysts note that AI-enhanced imaging technologies are rapidly transforming cardiovascular medicine by enabling more intelligent image processing, workflow automation, and personalized procedural optimization. These innovations are expected to play a major role in improving clinical efficiency, reducing complications, and enhancing long-term patient safety.
Philips plans to showcase SmartIQ at EuroPCR 2026 in Paris, where clinicians and researchers will present early multicenter experiences and real-world clinical results. The technology is currently CE-marked and available in Europe and selected international markets for both new and existing Azurion systems, although it has not yet received clearance in the United States.
Source: Philips press release
