February 2008
The Siemens Healthcare Sector is planning to strengthen its position in the field of computer-assisted surgery with the acquisition of CAS innovations AG. The corresponding agreement is now concluded between the two companies. The antitrust authorities still have to approve the transaction. It was agreed not to reveal the purchase price. CAS innovations manufactures surgical navigation systems which improve planning for operations while at the same time making them faster and safer. The primary focus is on systems for trauma surgery and orthopedics, e.g. for hip, knee and spine operations, as well as on interventional radiology. Headquartered in Erlangen, Germany, the company has 27 employees.
"Through more intensive integration between our imaging systems and the navigation technology from CAS innovations in the future, we will make the work of physicians easier and open up new possibilities in the area of minimally invasive interventions," says Dr. Jochen Dick, CEO of the Special Systems (SP) Business Unit at Siemens Healthcare. "Workflows will be optimized from planning to therapy control, allowing us to improve the quality of medical care while simultaneously reducing the costs."
Even today many operations are planned and performed with the aid of imaging systems such as mobile X-ray units. These systems provide the doctor with accurate insight into the patient's anatomy. Thanks to surgical navigation systems the surgeon can additionally work out on the computer what approximate path needs to be taken before the operation, e.g. to optimally reach deep-lying organs that are difficult to access. During the intervention the system shows the surgeon the position of the operating instruments directly on-screen as well as possible deviations from the previously defined route in the body.
"We've been following the strategy of innovative imaging combined with navigation technology for quite a while," comments Dr. Ralf Petzold, President of CAS innovations. "Jointly with Siemens Healthcare we will open up new markets and offer the customer solutions that are tailored to the needs of the daily clinical routine."
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