Cook Medical and Siemens Healthineers today announced a strategic commercial partnership aimed at setting a new standard for interventional medicine. The collaboration combines the power of Siemens Healthineers real-time magnetic resonance imaging with Cook Medical’s deep interventional procedure expertise, along with new medical devices developed by Cook specifically for the MRI environment. Together, the companies are creating the Interventional MRI (iMRI) Suite1, the first integrated, ionizing radiation-free solution intended to transform how clinicians diagnose, plan and perform minimally invasive procedures.
“MRI in the interventional suite has always been a concept with tremendous clinical potential, but it has also faced significant barriers. At Siemens Healthineers, we are committed to breaking those barriers to unlock new clinical opportunities and advance patient care. Together with Cook Medical, we’re leading the way into a new era where iMRI becomes a precise radiation-free standard of care,” said Andreas Schneck, head of Magnetic Resonance at Siemens Healthineers.
By leveraging MRI’s unparalleled soft tissue contrast, iMRI enables precise guidance for minimally invasive interventions, particularly in areas such as interventional oncology for soft tissue tumors, pediatrics, and structural heart procedures, where accuracy and safety are paramount. This approach allows clinicians to navigate complex procedures with confidence while eliminating exposure to ionizing radiation for both patients and healthcare teams.
This first-of-its-kind collaboration delivers a turn-key solution designed to accelerate iMRI adoption and advance clinical impact in interventional radiology. It encompasses suite planning, an MRI scanner designed for interventions1, MRI-specific medical devices, specialized training, and ongoing clinical support. Cook Medical brings extensive procedural knowledge, innovative device design, and comprehensive educational programs, while Siemens Healthineers contributes its world-class MR imaging technologies and services, including dedicated interventional planning software.
The integrated iMRI suite reflects a shared commitment to innovation and collaboration, offering clinicians a complete framework, from conceptual suite design to staff training, to enable the adoption of this transformative technology for enhanced patient care.
“Our partnership with Siemens Healthineers is about more than device integration; it’s about revolutionizing interventional procedures,” said Peter Polverini, vice president of Cook Medical’s iMRI Division. “By merging the top-tier MRI systems of Siemens Healthineers with Cook’s advanced devices and expertise, we’re unlocking high-precision treatments that elevate patient care and empower clinicians.”
1 The product is currently under development and not available for sale in the U.S.A. Its future availability cannot be guaranteed.
Disclaimer: The product names and/or brands referred to are the property of their respective trademark holders.
For more information about Cook Medical’s iMRI division, visit CookMedical.com/divisions/iMRI and follow the journey on iMRI LinkedIn.
Further information on the iMRI suite can be found here.
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Marsha Lovejoy
+1 812 320 6903; marsha.lovejoy@cookmedical.com
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Stefanie Haug
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Bloomington, Ind. — Gayle Karch Cook, historical preservation activist and cofounder of the Cook companies alongside husband Bill Cook, passed away at 91 this morning. She is survived by her son Carl and daughter-in-law Marcy and their granddaughter, Eleanor.
“Gayle’s spirit of innovation was evident in everything she did. Whatever she was involved in, she left it better than she found it. This was true of her philosophy for the ever-growing company, her extensive efforts in renovating historically significant places, and her daily interactions with other people. That’s her inspiring legacy that we will keep striving for,” said Pete Yonkman, president of Cook Medical and Cook Group.
In 1963, Bill and Gayle Cook created a small company named Cook Incorporated that manufactured three simple medical devices used to treat patients in less invasive ways than common surgical techniques of the time. Gayle was the company’s first quality control employee, meticulously checking the devices Bill made after he finished work each night.
That small company grew into what is today Cook Group, a family of ethical and entrepreneurial companies. Cook Group includes the flagship company, Cook Medical, a global company that invents, manufactures, and delivers devices for treating conditions in almost every system of the body. Cook Group also includes companies in the life sciences, property management, resort, and service businesses.
Bill, Carl and Gayle Cook
The family planned ahead for this event, and nothing will change for employees moving forward. Carl Cook, Gayle and Bill’s son, has been CEO of Cook Group since his father’s passing in 2011. Company leadership will remain the same with Pete Yonkman as president of Cook Group and Cook Medical and Steve Ferguson as Chairman of the Board.
Gayle Karch Cook, born March 1, 1934, in Evansville, Indiana, made excellence her goal in every aspect of her life. She was salutatorian of Bosse High School when she graduated in 1952, and she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Indiana University in 1956. After graduating, she began her career in advertising in Chicago. After marrying her husband, Bill, they moved to Bloomington, Indiana. There, in the spare bedroom of their apartment, they officially began the company that would later become Cook Medical. The company’s focus has always been on the patient, with a goal to make surgeries minimally invasive.
She was committed to creating a vibrant community, as she also served on the board of directors for the Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps, the Bloomington Antique Mall, the Nature Conservancy, Indiana Chapter, and the board of trustees of the Indiana University Foundation.
Gayle was an avid supporter of historic preservation, and she was heavily involved in many restoration projects. She spearheaded about 70 historic preservation and economic revitalization projects, including the much-lauded West Baden Springs and French Lick resorts; Indianapolis’ Central Avenue Methodist Church; and Beck’s Mill and Cedar Farm complex in southern Indiana. The first property she restored and refurnished was the Colonel William Jones House, built in 1835. The house, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is now a museum open to the public as a State Historic Site. Gayle restored historic sites to their original state, including the James Cochran house, the Illinois Central Freight Depot, the 8-story Graham Hotel, and more than 17 structures in the central square of Bloomington, Indiana.
In addition to her involvement in the restoration work itself, Gayle served on the boards of many restoration organizations. She was on the advisory committee of the Wylie House Museum, the Board of Governors of the Monroe County Historical Museum, the board of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, and was an appointee of the State Historic Preservation Review Board. She was also a founder of the Monroe County History Center Annual Garage Sale which has become a staple in the Bloomington community. With every project, Gayle’s philosophy was to restore not just the site itself, but also the character and beauty of the location for present and future generations. Historic preservation wasn’t just good business; it was an investment in the community.
Gayle authored and published two books detailing her passion for Indiana’s history. The first, A Guide to Southern Indiana, was published in 1972. The other, Monroe County in Focus: Portrait of an Indiana County, was published in 1990.
A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of IU, Gayle earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in fine arts in 1956. She and her late husband were generous, far-sighted benefactors of IU’s Jacobs School of Music, School of Education, School of Medicine and Kelley School of Business, as well as supporting IU Athletics, the Wylie House Museum, the Wells Scholars program and research in the College of Arts and Sciences.
About Cook Medical
At Cook Medical, we are passionate about making unique, quality medical devices and connecting with people to improve lives. Founded on inventing, manufacturing, and delivering medical devices, we provide healthcare professionals with the tools they need to help their patients return to living.
Our commitment to innovation involves bringing new products to market and keeping existing products relevant to a changing healthcare landscape. We believe in using our business to help people and communities thrive by creating inclusive, supportive, and healthy environments.
We are proud of our history of innovative firsts and the impact we have on patients and communities. With headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana, and manufacturing facilities and offices in various global locations, we challenge ourselves to maintain a global perspective while focusing on local impact.
Follow Cook Medical at CookMedical.com and on LinkedIn.
Leveraging Cook’s history of innovative medical devices in a new procedural setting
Bloomington, Ind. — Cook Medical today announced the launch of its new Interventional Magnetic
Resonance Imaging (iMRI) division, marking a significant step forward in its commitment to transforming how complex procedures and unmet clinical needs are addressed.
Unlike conventional tools repurposed for MRI use, Cook Medical is developing a portfolio of minimally invasive devices that have been purposefully engineered, over years of research and refinement, to meet the unique demands of interventional MRI environments. This approach is especially critical in pediatrics, oncology, and pediatric structural heart interventions, where precision and safety are of paramount importance. The new division marks a significant step toward transforming how clinicians diagnose, intervene, and care for patients.
The iMRI division collaborates closely with physicians, hospitals, and strategic partners to seamlessly integrate real-time magnetic resonance imaging. This empowers clinicians to visualize anatomy and instruments simultaneously, without the risks associated with ionizing radiation.
“We know that real progress happens when we listen to the people who use our products every day. The iMRI division is another example of Cook’s commitment to working alongside physicians to solve real challenges and improve lives,” said Pete Yonkman, president of Cook Medical and Cook Group. “We’re proud to support clinicians with technology that helps them do their best work for patients while advancing patient care.”
Rooted in a philosophy of prioritizing patients and physicians, Cook Medical’s iMRI division reflects the company’s longstanding commitment to meaningful, patient-centered innovation. Partnering with premier companies creating state-of-the-art imaging technology, the division aims to empower clinicians with the tools they need for improved outcomes.
Cook Medical appointed Peter Polverini as the new Vice President of the Interventional MRI division. Pete brings over 20 years of experience in advancing medical technology and fostering strong healthcare partnerships.
“I’m proud to lead a team building on years of collaboration with physicians to uncover real clinical needs. This division was born from those insights, where our devices can partner with better visualization and precision guidance to improve patient outcomes. Our mission is bold: to enable safer, more innovative, and more effective procedures through the use of interventional MRI. This is a paradigm shift in medicine, and we’re just getting started,” Polverini said.
About Cook Medical
At Cook Medical, we are passionate about making unique, quality medical devices and connecting with people to improve lives. Founded on inventing, manufacturing, and delivering medical devices, we provide healthcare professionals with the tools they need to help their patients return to living.
Our commitment to innovation involves bringing new products to market and keeping existing products relevant to a changing healthcare landscape. We believe in using our business to help people and communities thrive by creating inclusive, supportive, and healthy environments.
We are proud of our history of innovative firsts and the impact we have on patients and communities. With headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana, and manufacturing facilities and offices in various global locations, we challenge ourselves to maintain a global perspective while focusing on local impact.
Follow Cook Medical at CookMedical.com and on LinkedIn.
For more information about Cook Medical’s iMRI division, visit CookMedical.com/divisions/iMRI and follow the journey on iMRI LinkedIn.
Media Contact:
Marsha Lovejoy
Senior Manager, Global Public Relations
Cook Medical
812.320.6903
Marsha.Lovejoy@CookMedical.com
Please join us as we highlight some of our leaders, learn about their experiences, and hear how they are talking about the positive changes we’re making to meet our vision of the future at Cook. Follow along for the full Meet Our Leaders series.
Meet Mark Breedlove, Senior Vice President, Vascular Division
Please join us as we highlight some of our leaders, learn about their experiences, and hear how they are talking about the positive changes we’re making to meet our vision of the future at Cook. Follow along for the full Meet Our Leaders series.
Meet Ross Harvey, Vice President of Global Supply Chain
Please join us as we highlight some of our leaders, learn about their experiences, and hear how they are talking about the positive changes we’re making to meet our vision of the future at Cook. Follow along for the full Meet Our Leaders series.
Meet Christa Curtis, Vice President Global Marketing and Communications.
Bloomington, Ind. — Furthering their commitment to relentlessly delivering new products and services to address unmet customer needs, today Cook Medical announced a strategic investment in the urology space. Zenflow is a medical device company developing a minimally invasive treatment for urinary obstruction caused by enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
“This investment reflects our confidence in the future of Zenflow and the Spring® System technology. Zenflow is aligned with our core focus of developing minimally invasive technologies that restore flow,” said DJ Sirota, senior vice president of Cook Medical’s MedSurg division. “This type of agreement is yet another proof-point to how Cook is changing to focus on our future as product innovators.”
With funding led by Cook, Zenflow closed an $24 million Series C financing round today and included participation from existing investors Invus Opportunities, F-Prime Capital, Medical Technology Venture Partners and others.
Funds will be used to support the company’s Pre-Market Approval (PMA) submission as well as to prepare for commercialization in order to set the stage for FDA approval of its Spring System, a minimally invasive treatment option for patients who suffer debilitating symptoms due to enlarged prostate. The Spring System was designed with the patient’s experience in mind and relies on a small spring-like coil to gently prop open the urethra, restoring its normal function while preserving the natural anatomy. Over 40 million patients suffer from BPH in the U.S.
Bloomington, Ind. — Cook Medical is now distributing the PillSense™ GI Bleed Detection System in the United States. PillSense™ is a novel device that can detect upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in patients in under 10 minutes. Cook is constantly changing and adapting to continuously offer new technologies, and PillSense is the latest addition to Cook’s comprehensive portfolio of GI bleed management solutions.
Gastrointestinal bleeding accounts for 6-7% of all medical admissions, with over half a million admissions annually.1 2 A retrospective analysis found 66% of patients admitted with suspected upper GI bleeding showed no blood present at the time of endoscopy.3
The PillSense GI Bleed Detection System was designed to help clinicians efficiently triage and prioritize patients with suspected GI bleeding, confirming bleeds in hemodynamically stable patients. This allows for a more efficient use of critical healthcare resources.
The PillSense GI Bleed Detection System comprises a reusable receiver and a single-use ingestible capsule that detects the presence of blood in the upper GI tract. PillSense is the first FDA-approved ingestible blood detection system that offers rapid and accurate results, enabling healthcare providers to detect upper GI bleeding in under 10 minutes. A patient swallows the capsule, and as the capsule travels through the upper gastrointestinal tract, it transmits data to the handheld receiver that will display a simple and definitive result.
PillSense has multiple advantages. As clinicians use PillSense, they will find that:
- It’s accurate. Using light-absorption technology, PillSense delivers accurate results with 93% sensitivity and 91% specificity.4
- It’s fast. The capsule transmits real-time diagnostics to the receiver with results available in under 10 minutes.
- It’s easy to use. There’s no need to prepare the patient and it can be administered by a healthcare provider without any specialized training. The receiver displays a clear “Blood Detected” or “No Blood Detected” message with no image interpretation needed.
“PillSense is a game-changer for both patients and healthcare providers. On a patient level, PillSense is a revolutionary product that allows for swift diagnosis, enabling prompt and appropriate care. It’s also revolutionary on a hospital level, enhancing patient management by enhancing risk stratification and optimizing resource allocation,” said John Devlin, a director of global marketing in Cook’s MedSurg division.
“EnteraSense is thrilled to partner with Cook Medical, a leader in the GI space to make PillSense™ available to patients and hospitals across the United States. The PillSense GI Bleed Detection System is groundbreaking technology, is addressing a longstanding clinical need and is very synergistic with Cook Medical’s Innovative Hemostasis portfolio,” said Donal Devery, CEO of EnteraSense.
In May 2024, Cook Medical entered into a strategic distribution agreement with EnteraSense, the manufacturer behind PillSense. Starting in October 2024, Cook will be managing sales, marketing and distribution activities for PillSense across the United States. Healthcare providers can now access the PillSense™ GI Bleed Detection System through Cook’s well-connected network of sales reps to bring this technology to more hospitals. Distribution agreements, like this one with EnteraSense, are milestones in Cook‘s five-year plan to continue fostering partnerships and diversifying product offerings.
To learn more about PillSense, contact your local Cook Medical representative.
PillSense is manufactured by EnteraSense Ltd. PillSense is a trademark of EnteraSense Ltd.
About Cook Medical
Since 1963, Cook Medical has worked closely with physicians to develop technologies that eliminate the need for open surgery. Today we invent, manufacture and deliver a unique portfolio of medical devices to the healthcare systems of the world. Serving patients is a privilege, and we demand the highest standards of quality, ethics and service. We have remained family owned so that we have the freedom to focus on what we care about: patients, our employees and our communities.
Find out more at CookMedical.com and for the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
[1] Laine L, Barkun A, Saltzman JR et al. ACG Clinical Guideline: Upper Gastrointestinal and Ulcer Bleeding. AM J Gastroenterol. 2021;116(5): 899-9172.
[2] Peery AF, Crockett SD, Murphy CC, et al. Burden and Cost of Gastrointestinal, Liver, and Pancreatic Diseases in the United States: Update 2021. Gastroenterology. 2022;162(2):621-644.
[3] Ryan k, Malacova E, Appleyard M et al. Clinical utility of the Glasgow Blatchford Score in patients presenting to the emergency department with upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A retrospective cohort study. Emerg Med Australas. 2021;33(5):817-825
[4] Akiki K, Mahmoud T, Alquaisieh M, et al. A novel blood-sensing capsule for rapid detection of upper GI bleeding: a prospective clinical trial. Gastrointest Endosc. 2024;99(5):712-720.
Cook Medical and Siemens Healthineers today announced a strategic commercial partnership aimed at setting a new standard for interventional medicine. The collaboration combines the power of Siemens Healthineers real-time magnetic resonance imaging with Cook Medical’s deep interventional procedure expertise, along with new medical devices developed by Cook specifically for the MRI environment. Together, the companies are creating the Interventional MRI (iMRI) Suite1, the first integrated, ionizing radiation-free solution intended to transform how clinicians diagnose, plan and perform minimally invasive procedures.
