KODAK NEEDED TO GET THEIR PRODUCT TO MARKET…FAST!:

Early Galilean telescopes were designed to project (perfect) images intended for a human eye. This required ancillary lenses to correct various optical distortions, temperature differences and distortion of light passing through optical materials. With the advent of silver-based film materials the design approach remained essentially the same. It requires the lens be designed to correct any aberration that may otherwise degrade the image. Digital imaging takes an entirely different approach by using arrays of photosensitive materials arranged as pixels at a flat focal point.

Kodak’s medical division needed to get their product to market – FAST.

ELCAN was approached by Kodak’s medical division to design one of the first hybrid systems for digital X-ray. This computed radiography (CR) system produced the CR 800 and the CR 900 units still widely used. In CR a traditional X-ray film is scanned and digitized so that it may be stored and then the stored image can be transmitted. ELCAN was responsible for the development and design of the FastScan optical systems in the CR 800 and CR 900. The system designed by ELCAN incorporates an optical front-end with a high-resolution sensor within a precision optical bench. The optical bench for this unit was also (re)designed by ELCAN to improve cost-effectiveness, system performance, ease of field servicing and speed to market.

CR, or computed radiography, scans a traditional x-ray film and digitizes it so it can be stored. This stored image can be distributed to radiologists as a digital file, decreasing the amount of storage space required. CR is a quick and economical process for hospitals and x-ray image centers.

ELCAN re-engineered Kodak’s product and delivered a prototype in only 16 weeks.
Production units were available to market in only 24 weeks.

ELCAN not only provided fast production, but by being uncompromisingly cost-effective, Kodak now enjoys a >10% cost savings on an annual basis. The success of this partnership was obvious when the CR800 won The Medical Design Excellence Award (2001) and Kodak honoured ELCAN with their prestigious Supplier of the Year Award.

ELCAN has subsequently designed the optical systems for the Kodak CR900.

For more information, visit www.elcan.com, Email Us or Request your Custom Solution.