Though they always remain in the background, they are among the most important components of modern operating theatres: innovative swivel arms and stands for high-quality optics and microscopes, co-developed and manufactured by WILD and PHOTONIC.

The integration of imaging techniques that deliver live pictures during surgery, robotic assistance systems or 3D visualisation technologies. All of these advancements in the technical equipment of operating theatres have also upped the requirements for the suspension systems of instruments and devices. Swivel arms are now far more than just positioning aids that flexibly and independently adjust devices in a given space. They definitely make a surgeon‘s work much easier and operating theatres much safer. ”Thanks to their sophisticated mechanical or mechatronic design, they manage the balancing act between 100% stability and maximum flexibility and range. During surgery, it is absolutely essential to precisely position a device and keep it there. The braking systems, for instance, must be accordingly reliable“, stresses Manfred Gallé, Head of Business Unit Medical Technology at the WILD Group.

At the same time, swivel arms and stands must be easily movable – despite the high loads they carry – to give the surgical team maximum freedom of movement at all times. ”This is why modern stands function as robots. They remember positions and they can precisely assume these again at the push of a button. This saves time and delivers greater safety. And what is more: the stand even compensates for unwanted oscillations like, for instance, the trembling of a surgeon“, says Gallé. Due to these extreme requirements regarding stability, flexibility and safety, the assembly of these devices already demands absolute precision and zero error tolerance. The WILD Group guarantees both and has succeeded in establishing itself as a most-trusted partner of leading manufacturers. Thanks to its experience and expertise, the technology partner has also acquired a solid reputation in the industry in the area of re-engineering, which aims at integrating new product features into existing stands, in the field of spare part manufacturing in electronics and software, and the necessary documentation for a successful certification of the products. ”For more than 20 years, we have been developing and producing stands and swivel arms on behalf of our customers for high-quality optics and microscopes that are essential for precise diagnosis and surgery. Though originally a contract manufacturer, we are meanwhile involved in engineering in several projects from the very start“, says Franz Aigner, Head of Business Development at the WILD Group.