Acrobot and Alliance Medical in CT Scan Partnership to Improve Surgery

London, UK 1 December 2008 … Acrobot, the medical devices company specialising in computer assisted orthopaedic surgical navigation, and Alliance Medical part of the largest pan-European medical imaging company in Europe, supporting more than 400 hospitals and clinics in the UK, today announce they have entered into a partnership which will help improve surgical outcomes through the provision of advanced imaging techniques.

The deal will see Acrobot and Alliance Medical collaborate to provide orthopaedic surgeons with an integrated process from CT scanning through to navigated joint replacement that can influence clinical outcomes, making life easier for the surgeon and better for the patient.

Alliance Medical operates state of the art CT scanners in central London via their Alliance Medical Imaging Centres London division. These produce data using Acrobot’s Modeller software, allowing Alliance Medical to create 3D models of patients’ anatomy – the essential building block of the process. With the 3D model now created, surgeons have the option to create on an ordinary laptop or PC, ‘Patient Plans’. These plans can be used to provide detailed component sizing and position using Acrobot’s Planner software and, if desired, the surgeon can take this plan into theatre and reproduce it accurately and reliably using Acrobot Navigator.

Graeme Brookes, CEO of Acrobot said: “Advanced imaging and modelling has been shown to have a significant effect on surgical outcomes. When orthopaedic components are implanted accurately and successfully, the patient’s post-operative recovery time can be reduced and discomfort and complications can be minimized.”

The agreement will enable more surgeons to access Acrobot’s Navigator system: technology that is now usable in a wider range of procedures including uni-condylar knee and total hip replacements. This distribution arrangement is Acrobot’s first commercial route-to-market agreement using Modeller.”

Elaine Head, Head of Alliance Medical Imaging Centres London said “We are delighted to be working with Acrobot. Our centres provide easily accessible medical diagnostic modalities to thousands of people and we are keen to be able to bring new techniques like Acrobot to a wider patient base in the future. Acrobot has so many benefits for our referring surgeons and we are proud to be leading the development of its clinical practice”.

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For further information, please contact:

At College Hill: Tony Stephenson or Benjamyn Tan, +44 (0) 20 7457 2020 or email acrobot@collegehill.com

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About Acrobot

Acrobot® provides precision surgical systems for computer-assisted 3D planning, surgical navigation and surgeon-controlled robotic surgery. The overall goal of Acrobot’s technologies is to provide speed, accuracy and reproducibility, enhancing clinical outcomes, whilst augmenting surgeon skills and facilitating bone conservation and increasing productivity. Acrobot’s currently available portfolio includes Acrobot Modeller, Acrobot Planner and Acrobot Navigator. A CT scan is taken of the patient's joint and a 3D model of the patient's anatomy is produced using Acrobot Modeller software. Acrobot Planner software then offers 3D surgical planning and visualization and Acrobot Navigator uses a unique mechanical method to track conventional surgical instruments relative to the patient to achieve high surgical accuracy. Acrobot is also progressing the development of Acrobot Sculptor®, a hands-on robotic system, which uses patent protected ‘active constraint’ technology to prevent a surgeon accidentally moving outside a specified area. This cutting edge robotic solution is at an advanced development stage, undergoing final clinical evaluation prior to commercial release in 2008.

www.acrobot.co.uk 

About Alliance Medical

Alliance Medical has 18 years experience of delivering a range of mobile and static diagnostic imaging solutions.

Alliance Medical operates the largest fleet of Mobile MRI, PET/CT, X-ray, CT, Portable Ultrasound and Echocardiography scanners in the UK and employs over 400 Radiographers.

For more information visit: www.alliancemedical.co.uk