Next-generation Computed Tomography Partnership Opens Significant Growth Potential for austriamicrosystems
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austriamicrosystems IC solutions help enable Siemens' next-generation computed tomography (CT) systems redefining the clinical role of CT
Unterpremstätten, Austria (21 July 2006) - austriamicrosystems (SWX:AMS), a leading global designer and manufacturer of high-performance analog integrated circuits (ICs), and Siemens Medical Solutions (Med), one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry, today announced that austriamicrosystems will supply Siemens Medical Solutions with detector electronics ICs for the platform of its newest computed tomography (CT) system Somatom Definition as part of austriamicrosystems' strategic partnership with Siemens Medical Solutions for CT applications. The long-term partnership covering IC design and related process development has now resulted in the world's most innovative computed tomography detection electronics to be used in current and future image processing systems from Siemens.
Exactly matching the stringent performance requirements of Med's CT detector electronics, austriamicrosystems' high performance optical interface readout IC is responsible for acquiring signals in real-time and digitising them with great precision. austriamicrosystems' IC solution helps to ensure exceptional image resolution and image acquisition speed, resulting in CT images of unprecedented quality and detail which offer substantially increased diagnostic speed and confidence. A Siemens system may comprise more than 1,000 austriamicrosystems ICs with the largest scale of integration required by the very high number of measurement channels.
Measuring signals in the range of picoamperes (10-12 amperes), at levels thought impossible only a few years ago, the innovative IC helps Siemens Medical Solutions to design CT systems with the minimum of Xray necessary, providing significant patients benefits due to vastly reduced patient exposure. Integrated into Med's newest high performance CT systems among others, austriamicrosystems' IC solution offers significant market potential in the global CT market, one of the strongest growing areas in medical technology worldwide.
"Through close collaboration with Siemens we designed a highly advanced solution that fully meets the demanding performance parameters of Siemens' CT detector electronics" said Franz Faschinger, General Manager Industry & Medical at austriamicrosystems. "Supplying Siemens Medical Solutions with a dedicated IC serving their portfolio of advanced CT systems is another milestone in our strategy to provide high performance analog solutions to major players in the global healthcare industry."
"To maintain and expand our position as one of the leading companies in the worldwide CT market, we wanted to go beyond current solutions, pushing technical and clinical boundaries to the next level" said Dr.Bernd Ohnesorge, Vice President, Global CT Marketing and Sales at Siemens Medical Solutions. "Taking advantage of austriamicrosystems' unique expertise in designing maximum performance analog ICs, we were able to set a new trend in CT technology with this new generation of detector electronics."
"We are excited to be a key partner for Siemens Medical, a clear leader in advanced CT systems," added John Heugle, CEO of austriamicrosystems. "This is yet another example of how we leverage our world class analog design expertise to offer leading-edge analog solutions to our customers worldwide. From this and other successful ICs we expect significant growth in our medical business in the coming years."
About austriamicrosystems
austriamicrosystems is a leading designer and manufacturer of high performance analog ICs, combining almost 25 years of analog design capabilities and system know-how with its own state-of-the-art manufacturing and test facilities.
austriamicrosystems leverages its expertise in low power and high accuracy to provide industry-leading customized and standard analog products. Operating worldwide with more than 900 employees, austriamicrosystems focuses on the areas of power management, sensors & sensor interfaces, portable audio and car access in its markets Communications, Industry & Medical and Automotive, complemented by its Full Service Foundry activities. austriamicrosystems is listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange in Zurich (ticker symbol: AMS). For more information please visit www.austriamicrosystems.com
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