In medical technology, photonics is considered to be a driving force behind innovations and solid growth. The WILD Group demonstrates everything that is possible in fields such as diagnosis, treatment, lighting or analysis and scanning.

After being treated as a niche market for a long time, photonics has developed into a key technology for many industries and an enabler for comprehensive System solutions in recent years. Medical technology, in particular, is benefiting from the unique properties of light. In combination with other future technologies, photonics can bring about a real boost in innovations.

The WILD Group, too, is convinced that light is a true all-rounder. With more than 50 years of experience, the contract developer and manufacturer is a frontrunner in the area of photonic applications and a long-standing Partner of several medical technology pioneers. “Photonic and optical technologies have seen an unprecedented pace of development. Metrology components, light sources and optics are becoming ever more compact, cost-effective, as well as smaller and quicker. Their list of applications is growing ever longer. More and more optical measurement methods and treatments in medical technology are contactless and thus significantly more comfortable. Ever more powerful microcontrollers can perform complex measurements using sophisticated algorithms”, stresses WILD Group‘s CTO Wolfgang Warum.

Scanning and analysing

For instance, WILD is currently manufacturing a tabletop device for chemical analysis using NIR spectroscopy. It is used, among others, in the pharmaceutical industry and can determine the ingredients of both solid and liquid samples within a few seconds. The device stands out through its robustness, precision, high usability and extremely quick measurement times. “The requirements for us are accordingly high. The manufacturing process of various complex components must be very stable. Because of the model diversity, a flexible supply chain that allows for quick reaction is necessary”, project Manager Josef Kraker explains.

Diagnosis and treatment

Photonic GmbH, the lighting specialist within the WILD Group, is currently working on expanding the potential of its “ATO–Light for Life” examination lamps into phototherapy. The result is a two-in-one combination device for the diagnosis and treatment of newborn jaundice. It translates into less stress for the babies, optimises the personnel workflow and saves costs.

A complex system for the control of the ocular fundus, which WILD has been manufacturing for several years on behalf of a renowned producer, delivers proof that examinations using light are quick, contactless and less invasive, while at the same time being highly effective. The device contains lasers with different wavelengths. One of the biggest challenges is to adjust these in relation to each other so as to rule out any mutual interference. “We support our customers in the constant improvement of their serial systems by providing various Services such a co-engineering, reengineering and value engineering”, project Manager Wolfgang Pischounig explains. “Our FDA-compliant change management System is a significant support in this regard.”

Be it in dermatology, ophthalmology, surgery, endoscopy, laser ENT treatment or photodynamic therapy, the sheer range of applications and particular properties render laser an ideal treatment tool. WILD has extensive experience in all of the aforementioned areas and, among others, manufactures assemblies and devices for ultrashort pulse lasers, femto-second lasers, excimer lasers, Nd:YAG lasers, diode lasers, fibre lasers and CO2 lasers. The assembly and adjustment of such modules requires specialised skills, which WILD combines under one roof. They range from the alignment turning of optics with arcsecond precision to beam shaping and precision mechanics to bespoke cleaning processes. In addition, the systems Partner masters all processes which are essential for these products, from fine cleaning and cleanroom assembly to an extremely sophisticated logistics concept, which ensures that no contamination can take place after cleaning. All of the aforementioned applications are also available with LED, a field Photonic GmbH is particularly focused on.

Lighting

Photonics is also capable of replacing conventional technologies. Lighting specialist Photonic, for instance, is currently developing a novel multicolour light source for medical and laboratory fluorescence microscopy and endoscopy. To find out more, go to page 7 of this issue. WILD has also already completed the development of an innovative high-performance xenon light source for surgical microscopes which can be used, for instance, in neurosurgery. Experts from WILD, Photonic and the WIN Partner Network were responsible for the software development and electronics and for thermal and structural simulation and design.

Thanks to the cooperation with the WIN participants, WILD was able to manufacture the first prototype in just 13 months. Production of the high-performance light source began at the WILD factory in Völkermarkt in October 2018.