Medicine

Slip ring in a CT scanner for transmitting energy and image data.

Making high-tech medicine possible

»Health is our greatest asset – which is why reliable data is indispensable for the correct diagnosis. We work on technical solutions that help define the latest technical standards.«

Rotary joints for CT scanners

In medical equipment, slip rings transmit X-rays with enormous depth and precision to diagnose patients in a targeted and detailed manner and to subsequently treat them. In computer tomography, the X-ray unit rotates at high speed around the patient and produces a three-dimensional image. The slip rings transmit the energy to power the X-ray source, the signals that control the entire rotating system, and the image data generated.

Medical monitor shows MRI image of a human brain in a diagnostic room.

Best-possible diagnostics

The global demand for rotary joints for CT scanners is large – and can be comprehensively met by us as the market and innovation leader. With an internal diameter of up to two meters, our CT slip rings enable interference-free and contactless transmission of image and bus data. This data forms the basis for precise diagnoses and targeted therapies and makes a valuable contribution to the treatment of every patient.

A patient is prepared for a CT scan, assisted by medical professionals – modern imaging with contactless data transmission.

Next-generation CT slip rings

Together with the Technical University of Munich in Germany, SCHLEIFRING is already doing research into and developing the next generation of CT slip rings within the scope of a funded project. One goal is to achieve even quicker transmission of ever more detailed images. At the same time, the aim is to reduce the stress for the patient caused by the X-rays to a minimum. To achieve this, SCHLEIFRING relies on contactless transmission. This will enable transmission rates for image data of 340 gigabits per second In future. Besides the increased efficiency and speed, there are further advantages: these include the need to only rarely or even never maintain the system, even when used continuously.

Detailed view of a contact-based transmission system on a CT slip ring – for data and energy transmission between rotating and fixed parts.

Contacting power transmission for CT scanners

Detailed view of a slip ring with contact strips.

Contactless data transmission via CT slip ring

Technician working on a large-format CT slip ring in the test or assembly area.

State-of-the-art slip ring technology

The most-advanced slip ring technology is used for computer tomography. We integrate this in practice in a customer- and application-specific manner to suit the requirements of the equipment in question. What this means can be seen by taking the CT slip ring for RAYDIAX GmbH as an example. Together with SCHLEIFRING, RAYDIAX realized for the first time a CT scanner that can produce images during minimally invasive surgical procedures and not just for the preceding diagnostics. The rotary transmission challenge here: Besides the usual need to supply power to the X-ray components, high-resolution images have to be transmitted from two sources in real time to enable the surgeon to work precisely. And that in a very confined space for the technical implementation, as room is required in innovative CT scanners for both the patient and the extended operation area – in conjunction with the lowest possible exposure to X-rays.

Every project is unique. One forms a symbiotic relationship with the customer in order to find the best possible result that meets his requirements.

Medicine

Making high-tech medicine possible

Rotary joints for CT scanners

State-of-the-art slip ring technology

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