Sam Brusco, Associate Editor05.16.22
Brainlab has made a majority acquisition of Austria-based medPhoton, which develops and makes robotic imaging for image-guided radiation therapy and surgery. The companies have partnered in the intraoperative imaging field, resulting in the launch of the Loop-X mobile imaging robot in 2020.
"Through the completion of this majority acquisition, we want to build on the previous success of Loop-X and decisively shape the future of intraoperative imaging," Stefan Vilsmeier, president and CEO of Brainlab told the press. "In this way, we can combine and align the entrepreneurial pursuits and innovative potential of both companies. Our united goal is to expand the market position of Loop-X as a 3D imaging device for surgery so that doctors can gain access to cutting edge equipment for patient treatment."
With both 2D and 3D imaging modalities, Loop-X automates imaging steps and provides robotic assistance, giving surgeons and staff flexibility and freedom of movement during surgery. Independent imaging components and collimation capabilities allow non-isocentric imaging. Much larger structures can be covered as a result. Patient-tailored imaging can also cover much smaller areas as well to reduce radiation volume as needed.
The robot can also capture partial information by digitizing anatomical intra-op changes to update a patient “digital model” previously created by aggregating pre-op images.
"From the very beginning, Brainlab believed in the strength of our innovation, creativity and drive in the field of radiotherapy,” said medPhoton CEO Heinz Deutschmann.” Through our partnership, Brainlab provided us with significant support as we established our presence in the surgical device market and developed our production capabilities. Moving forward, we will continue to advance the production of Loop-X as well as coordinate research and development efforts to build next-generation systems with the objective of exploring new medical applications to improve surgical procedures and therapies. The majority acquisition by Brainlab is therefore the next logical step for us to achieve our most important goal: to advance research and development work at the highest level and expand the production of best-in-class medical technology to provide efficient therapies with optimal safety for patients."
medPhoton will operate as an independent R&D firm within Brainlab. Together the companies will explore further application areas like brachytherapy, particle therapy, and intra-op radiation therapy.
Both firms will also further grow capabilities at medPhoton’s Salzburg, Austria site.
"Through the completion of this majority acquisition, we want to build on the previous success of Loop-X and decisively shape the future of intraoperative imaging," Stefan Vilsmeier, president and CEO of Brainlab told the press. "In this way, we can combine and align the entrepreneurial pursuits and innovative potential of both companies. Our united goal is to expand the market position of Loop-X as a 3D imaging device for surgery so that doctors can gain access to cutting edge equipment for patient treatment."
With both 2D and 3D imaging modalities, Loop-X automates imaging steps and provides robotic assistance, giving surgeons and staff flexibility and freedom of movement during surgery. Independent imaging components and collimation capabilities allow non-isocentric imaging. Much larger structures can be covered as a result. Patient-tailored imaging can also cover much smaller areas as well to reduce radiation volume as needed.
The robot can also capture partial information by digitizing anatomical intra-op changes to update a patient “digital model” previously created by aggregating pre-op images.
"From the very beginning, Brainlab believed in the strength of our innovation, creativity and drive in the field of radiotherapy,” said medPhoton CEO Heinz Deutschmann.” Through our partnership, Brainlab provided us with significant support as we established our presence in the surgical device market and developed our production capabilities. Moving forward, we will continue to advance the production of Loop-X as well as coordinate research and development efforts to build next-generation systems with the objective of exploring new medical applications to improve surgical procedures and therapies. The majority acquisition by Brainlab is therefore the next logical step for us to achieve our most important goal: to advance research and development work at the highest level and expand the production of best-in-class medical technology to provide efficient therapies with optimal safety for patients."
medPhoton will operate as an independent R&D firm within Brainlab. Together the companies will explore further application areas like brachytherapy, particle therapy, and intra-op radiation therapy.
Both firms will also further grow capabilities at medPhoton’s Salzburg, Austria site.