Ascension Technology Launches Medical Industry Initiative
A significant shift in research and development accompanies Ascension Technology Corp.'s (Burlington, VT) new company initiative targeting medical applications for motion-tracking devices. Its units are already in use in three-dimensional ultrasounds, image-guided procedures, and medical training simulators. The firm's engineering-driven effort comes in response to the medical OEM community's large need for position trackers. According to Jack Scully, vice-president of sales and marketing, the transition is natural because "we have the magnetic-tracking technology and resources" needed to fill the growing demand for instruments that "instantly track the position and orientation of probes," even inside the body. As part of the initiative, existing devices are being redesigned to meet the medical industry's stringent regulations and high-performance requirements.
The development of three new products coincides with this initiative.
The 3D-BIRD orientation tracker provides instant tracking and can
be used in headsets. The laserBIRD optical tracker uses light energy
to track sensors in environments unsuited for magnetic, inertial,
or acoustic devices. An environmental analyzer scans for interference
and allows adjustment for peak performance of magnetic tracking
devices. Retaining its commitment to the markets it has served in
the past, Ascension will continue production of tracking devices
for animation, virtual prototyping, simulation, and biomechanics.
Zachary Turke
