Patient Positioning
Why is the correct position important for doctors and patients?
In order to be able to make a meaningful diagnosis with C-arm X-ray, MRI, and CT equipment, patients must be positioned precisely in the device. Laser markings help to align them quickly and accurately. This means that meaningful images can be produced from the very first scan and the patient does not have to be exposed to further potentially harmful doses of radiation.
“Please treat here!”
Positioning aids are not only used in imaging procedures, but also in various forms of therapy, such as radiation therapy. Even in the operating room, laser markings show the doctor where to place the scalpel. Pilot lasers, which use a visible laser beam to indicate where the invisible therapeutic or surgical laser is currently located, are helpful here. In tumor therapy, for example, this enables precise and targeted laser surgical treatment.
Compact, bright and eye-safe
Positioning lasers for medical technology have to meet several requirements at the same time. Small laser modules are advantageous, as space in medical devices is often limited. The projected lines or patterns must be sharp and precise to ensure exact positioning. At the same time, the lasers must also meet high safety standards so as not to endanger patients or medical staff. In medical devices, most positioning lasers therefore comply with laser class 1, which means that they are also safe for patients in whom the eyelid closure reflex no longer works because, for example, they are under the influence of medication or anesthesia.
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Current Technologies
Dot, Line, Cross-hairs Lasers: When Do I Need What?
Lasers for patient positioning differ primarily in terms of beam shape and color. Depending on the application, dot, line, and cross-hair lasers are used. The choice of color depends on the ambient conditions and the requirements for visibility and precision. While green lasers appear brighter and offer greater contrast on the skin and textiles, red lasers are often used in routine applications in which special adaptation to environmental conditions is not required.
Each beam shape is used in medical technology for specific tasks:
- Dot lasers offer maximum precision in a small area and are therefore ideal for use as reference markers or for the precise alignment of a specific point on the body. For example, the exact position for a needle puncture can be marked.
- Line lasers are the most common beam shape in patient positioning. In imaging – for example in C-arm X-ray machines, CT, and MRI equipment – they mark an exact sectional plane or a focal point.
- Cross-hair lasers provide orientation on two axes. They are primarily used to align the body and to indicate the radiation center.
Areas of Application
Gentle on Patients in Every Medical Application
With the versatile FLEXPOINT® laser modules, LASER COMPONENTS offers a wide range of high-precision positioning aids for medical imaging and radiation therapy. They are available as dot, line, and cross-hair lasers and can be individually adapted to the requirements of our customers.
All modules are protected against electromagnetic interference and do not cause any unwanted emissions themselves. Whether used in radiology, MRI, CT, radiation therapy, or surgical procedures, our laser modules ensure fast and precise patient positioning in every single application.
In day-to-day clinical operations, this means more efficient and, above all, more precise diagnosis and treatment. For demanding applications in bright operating room environments or MRI-compatible systems, we develop custom solutions; for example, the housings can be adapted to your requirements and the lasers can be adjusted so that they fall into the required laser class. We are always ready to work with our customers to implement innovative new concepts for patient positioning.
Typical areas of application for positioning lasers in medicine include:
- C-arm X-ray machines
- MRT
- CT
- Radiation therapy
- Surgery
Product Overview
Dot lasers from 405 nm to 905 nm for pointing and marking.
Positioning line lasers from 405 nm - 905 nm with different fan angles.
Cross hair modules of different types for various applications.
The FLEXPOINT® MINI series laser modules captivate with their small dimensions and high quality features.
Far-Reaching – Long Range Lasers for 10 to 200 Meters
Robust, high-quality dot, line or cross beam laser, with IP67 rating and M12 connector for alignment and positioning.
Laser modules with dot, line and cross beam in an industrial M12 threaded stainless steel housing.
The precision lasers emit from the exact center of the housing and are, therefore, especially suitable for alignment tasks.
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LASER COMPONENTS Nordic - Your competent partner for optical and optoelectronic components in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Iceland.
Welcome to LASER COMPONENTS Nordic AB, your expert for photonics components. Each product in our wide range of detectors, laser diodes, laser modules, optics, fiber optics, and more is worth every Crown (SEK). Our customized solutions cover all conceivable areas of application: from sensor technology to medical technology. You can reach us here:
Box 14001 / Skårs led 3
SE-400 20 Göteborg
Sweden
Phone: +46 (0)31 703 7173
Email: info(at)
