The Minnesota-based company says the system was given U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance in January 2008. It has been sold and used in the United States since then.

Called the ViewMate II Ultrasound System, it uses ultrasound technology to produce high-resolution images of the inside of the heart.

The system reflects sound waves off structures within the heart and a transducer converts the waves into electric energy to create anatomical images.

The images can help doctors during several different procedures including treating irregular hearth rhythms and fixing defects such as a hole in the heart.

Several other companies, including , have developed similar technologies.