Medical TechnologyWorking together for a better lifeMedical technology is an area with great growth potential as regards the use of the latest technologies. Innovations in bone biomechanics, laser medicine, imaging processes as well as material science have created new treatment and therapy options. ALTRAN makes intensive use of the synergies from the technologies of different development areas (also from other industries) to the benefit of its clients. Experience and successful project work from areas such as image processing, optics, the development of embedded software, mechatronics and remote control allow our customers to utilise this existing know-how directly to expand their own technological lead. ALTRAN complements its classical product development spectrum with comprehensive knowledge in the areas of process consulting as well as requirements, test and configuration management. The focus is on aspects such as the consistent observance of legal requirements, cost reduction, product buildability as well as quality assurance. With this comprehensive expert knowledge we can also assist you competently in the approval of products in Europe and the USA. X-ray calibration at the push of a buttonComputer tomographs are some of today's most important imaging systems in medical technology. Since the discovery of X-rays some 100 years ago, this technology has undergone continual development and now allows high-resolution 3D scans to be made of the human body. To minimise the radiation impact on man and material it is essential to ensure as accurate a shape and positioning of the X-ray source as possible. The image quality also depends crucially on this calibration. Up until only a few years ago, the X-ray focus was adjusted by means of X-ray images that had to be developed individually. This meant lengthy adjustment processes, which were often not reproducible. Then, the films were replaced by an X-ray-sensitive, digital camera system. This allowed the X-ray source to be observed in real time, establishing the basic prerequisite for automating the process. This automation is at the heart of a current project that ALTRAN is working on for a German market leader. The aim of the development work is the reproducible calibration of the X-ray source at a single push of a button. This involves the development of some application software to analyse the images supplied by the camera and regulate the controlling electronics of the X-ray source. Central challenges are the selection of the exposure parameters and the measuring accuracy of the detection system. Navigation system for knee prosthetics The first developments in endoprosthetics go back to the 19th century. Since then, knee endoprosthetics in particular has been making great strides thanks to early design improvements as well as the use of ultramodern materials. But even today, the accuracy of the surgical intervention is a decisive factor in determining the life of the implant. In orthopaedics, the focus of computer-assisted surgery (CAS) is currently on dedicated navigation systems. They help the surgeon significantly improve the accuracy of the intervention by optically measuring the position of the instruments used by the surgeon within space and displaying it on the screen. Thanks to computer-assisted surgery, an accuracy of less than a millimetre is achieved in placing the endoprosthesis. The current and future development of navigation systems is concentrating on system components such as visualisation, tracking as well as the user interface. Better visualisation concepts provide the surgeon with information required for navigation, thus allowing him or her optimum freedom of movement, while of course also showing all the data from the virtual world of the computer. These further advances in navigation systems are at the core of a current project that ALTRAN is collaborating on with a worldwide leading endoprosthesis manufacturer. The aim of this development project is to take a new, improved navigation software product to the international market. The project work focuses on the specification, verification and validation as well as the continual adaptation of the software to the clinical requirements. In addition, ALTRAN facilitates the communication between the endoprosthesis manufacturer and the software development company on the one hand and that between the surgeon and the technical developers on the other. Ultimately, the aim is to coordinate and consolidate the pools of know-how from all important areas. ContactALTRAN Technologies
Division Innovation Berhard-Wicki-Straße 3
80636 München Tel. +49 (0) 89 544 556-0
Fax +49 (0) 89 544 556-20
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