Project: Modality merging radiographic - fluoroscopy X-ray system

The GAZELLE project combines the possibility for an SME driven consortium to seize a market opportunity within the field of clinical X-ray systems, while at the same time answering a large and growing demand in Europe for more effective and less costly health care services, with a special focus on faster and improved treatment of patients in hospitals and clinics._x000D__x000D_Goal of project_x000D_The overall goal of the GAZELLE project is to develop and market a “perfect” clinical X-ray system, with unrivalled flexibility, user-friendliness and clinical excellence. Specifically, the goal is to enable the following functionalities, all of which lie at or beyond the level of current leading-edge products:_x000D_• R/F flexibility as high as best Rad systems currently available_x000D_• Hand held operation with an R/F detector_x000D_• Unlimited patient access_x000D_• Total intuitivity and ease of use_x000D__x000D_As a result, the aim of the project is to generate significant impact for end-users of the systems in the form of improved clinical excellence, increased floor utilization and cost savings._x000D_A number of technical barriers exist for the consortium to overcome in order to achieve these objectives; first of all barriers related to the electromechanical construction of the system. As fluoroscopy causes constant irradiation of the patient, a strict safety requirement has to be overcome enabling the beam projected from the X-ray source to never exceed the detection area by more than 1%. Secondly, a related mechanical barrier lies in the requirement of an unusually light but rigid mechanical construction; with a very low tolerance for slack between moving parts, and to enable both precision and unlimited patient access. Finally, no detectors currently exist combining high quality full field radiography with low dose fluoroscopy, while at the same time being small and light enough to allow for hand held operation._x000D__x000D_Background_x000D_For a long time, there has been an increasing demand among European politicians and health care personnel for improved and more flexible X-ray systems. Until now, however, market and innovation strategies in the industry have seen a strong trend towards developing simpler low-cost systems._x000D_The underlying rationale of the GAZELLE project, which has been confirmed through initial dialogue with users and stakeholders, is that it is more cost effective for the hospitals to aim for flexibility in X-ray systems rather than for lowering direct cost. More specifically, a full coverage combo modality, expanding patient variation on the system, and hence system utilization, holds the potential of significantly elevating patient flow and floor utilization in hospitals, both of which are increasingly seen as problem areas for facility managers._x000D__x000D_In practice, the “perfect” X-ray system as envisioned by the consortium will differentiate significantly from today’s state-of-the-art by having no limitations as far as adjusting itself to accommodate for a weakened patient, instead of the patient adjusting to the system; it will be capable of doing both radiography and fluoroscopy; be simple and easy to operate; have a light, hand held full field detector allowing full operator flexibility; and will enable excellent diagnostic quality with minimum patient dose._x000D__x000D_The GAZELLE consortium_x000D_The Ps in the consortium form a value chain for the system and are all required for the successful achievement of the technological objectives. By combining the agility, distribution networks and market knowledge of specialist SMEs with the significant marketing leverage of a global corporate brand, the consortium also constitutes a powerful commercial platform, which is ideally positioned for bringing GAZELLE successfully to the market. _x000D__x000D_NRT (SME; Denmark) is the CO participant with a history of developing mechanically excellent patient/X-ray positioners and image chain integration of these. Through decades, NRT has established the experience needed for developing a positioner with the desired functionality. _x000D_Canon (LE; Netherlands) is a global market leader in clinical imaging excellence. Canon is the first company to ever develop a full field combo detector combining state-of-the-art radiography with fluoroscopy, while at the same time enabling hand held operation. _x000D_Mediel (SME; Sweden) is a systems distributor with applications specialization. In order to accomplish technical research and market objectives, the involvement of Mediel is necessary to ensure that clinician data is used as a basis for development activities._x000D__x000D_The GAZELLE project builds on a previously submitted Eurostars project, which narrowly fell short of the funding threshold of the second 2009 cut-off, due to perceived lacks with regard to market and IPR aspects. The GAZELLE project improves the original concept in particular with regard to enhanced and elaborated market strategies, further description of P roles, and specific provisions for IPR management and exploitation

Acronym	GAZELLE (Reference Number: 5526)
Duration	01/08/2010 - 01/08/2012
Project Topic	The overall goal of the GAZELLE project is to develop and market a “perfect” clinical X-ray system, with unrivalled flexibility, user-friendliness and clinical excellence.
Project Results (after finalisation)	The CO results are that we have successfully expanded our product portfolio with a new medical x-ray system which has proved popular in Scandinavian markets so far. With this new product we are able to offer to the market new and attractive hybrid imaging system suiting new requirements at hospitals, and we are able to compete in a wider range of tenders.
Network	Eurostars
Call	Eurostars Cut-Off 4

Project partner

Number	Name	Role	Country
3	Canon Europa N.V. Medical Systems Division	Partner	Netherlands
3	Mediel AB	Partner	Sweden
3	Nordisk Roentgen Teknik A/S	Coordinator	Denmark