ZIEHM IMAGING/BRAINLAB TO DEVELOP 3D IMAGING/CAS.

Ziehm Imaging, Nuremberg, Germany, a provider of mobile imaging solutions for healthcare, and BrainLAB, a manufacturer of software- driven systems for targeted, less-invasive medical treatments, have announced a development and marketing agreement for the integration of mobile 3D C-arms and CAS (Computer Assisted Surgery).

In 2002, Ziehm Imaging and BrainLAB jointly pioneered the development of DICOM-based CAS on 2D fluoroscopic images. Now, both companies will establish full compatibility of Vision Vario 3D and Vision 3D -- Ziehm Imaging's C-arms -- with all mobile BrainLAB platforms for 3D intra-operative imaging.

The combination of both technologies will give surgeons better orientation in the OR and enable minimally invasive surgeries with less radiation and higher accuracy. Vision Vario 3D, Vision 3D and BrainLAB CAS platforms are designed to assist with a broad variety of medical procedures, including spine and trauma, craniomaxillofacial, and neurosurgery.

Vision Vario 3D and Vision 3D allow surgeons to create a volumetric 3D dataset with arbitrary numbers of fluoroscopic images. Depending on each indication, the surgeon can define the image quality and the resolution of the images.

BrainLAB technology makes it possible to automatically register intra-operatively acquired 3D datasets. This means surgeons can upload datasets into the CAS system without the need for additional manual steps. During surgery, the position of the patient and the surgical instruments are tracked in real time through BrainLAB software.

"We are pleased to announce a partnership with BrainLAB, a worldwide established IGS vendor. Our installation base in Europe and customers all over the world will benefit from the combination of outstanding technology in imaging and CAS," said Martin Herzmann, Director Global Marketing with Ziehm Imaging.

Dr. Claus Schaffrath, Director Marketing Orthopedic Solutions with BrainLAB, commented: "We see the market for 3D intra-operative imaging gaining significant momentum. Customer demand clearly indicates the value of an ergonomic combination of imaging and navigation, which leads to reduced radiation, increased precision and ultimately improved outcomes. By cooperating with Ziehm Imaging we are strengthening our position in this market."

About Ziehm Imaging

Ziehm Imaging specializes in the development, manufacturing and worldwide marketing of mobile x-ray-based imaging solutions. The company has been the market leader in Germany for more than seven years, and in many other European countries for the past two years. Today, Ziehm Imaging is a global systems provider, employing 190 people in Germany and 60 in the USA.

Extensive in-house development know-how is reflected in the Ziehm C-arms' high medical imaging performance, intelligent generator technology, significant dose savings and seamless digital network integration. Building on competence and creativity, as well as continuous dialog and close cooperation with renowned universities, research centers and hospitals, Ziehm Imaging has developed groundbreaking technologies that have made the company a global trendsetter in intelligent interventional imaging.

Ziehm Imaging products are known for their outstanding versatility and easy handling for a wide variety of medical applications. In addition, they offer seamless integration into existing IT environments for digital image data acquisition, image evaluation and image management.

For more information, visit http://www.ziehm.com.

About BrainLAB

BrainLAB develops, manufactures and markets software-driven medical technology that enables procedures that are more precise, less invasive, and therefore less expensive than traditional treatments. Among the core products are image-guided systems that provide highly accurate real-time information used for navigation during surgical procedures.

This utility has been further expanded to serve as a computer terminal for physicians to more effectively access and interpret diagnostic scans and other digital medical information for better informed decisions.

BrainLAB solutions allow expansion from a single system to operating suites to digitally integrated hospitals covering all subspecialties from neurosurgery, orthopedics, ENT, CMF to spine & trauma and oncology.

With more than 2,650 systems installed in over 65 countries, BrainLAB is a market leader in image-guided technology. The privately held BrainLAB group, founded in 1989, is headquartered in Munich, Germany and today employs around 950 people in 15 offices across Europe, Asia, Australia, North and South America.

For more information, visit http://www.brainlab.com or call 708/486-1915.