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„BIPLANAR HIGH-FREQUENCY FLUORESCENCE KINEMATOGRAPHY” (FLUOKIN) AT THE FACULTY OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LEIPZIG

„Biplanar what-exactly?” the interested reader might ask upon spelling out the title above. That’s also how the discussions began that Sascotec Horsepower founder and CEO Oliver Sandmann held with the institute’s director, Professor Mülling, and his colleagues following the company’s successful bid in a public tender issued by the institute.

In short, it is a three-dimensional X-ray technique that uses up to 500 images per second to precisely map the position of bones, joints, and soft tissues—even while they are in motion!

Until now, such measurements could only be taken using reference points attached to the outside of the animals’ skin or fur. During movement—especially rapid movement—skin displacement causes significant deviations of the measurement point from, for example, a targeted bony prominence. This distorts the results and, in some cases, significantly reduces their reliability. By contrast, the deviations measured using the FluoKin method are less than one millimeter and less than one degree! A quantum leap in accuracy!

The technology can be used not only for small animals such as dogs or cats, but also for large animals such as horses and cattle—though, for reasons of space and capacity, it is not exactly suitable for elephants. Because the radiation exposure is harmless, humans can also be examined. Not only medical research, hospitals, and rehabilitation centers could benefit from the measurement results; in a future phase, sports associations and clubs could also be potential users. But we’re not quite there yet. The facility, equipped with Japanese X-ray technology, only recently transitioned from testing to regular operation; it is the only one of its kind in Germany and one of the few worldwide.

Before the X-ray measurement, however, the gods had set a requirement that caused quite a headache due to the spatial constraints and content specifications: the construction and procurement of a treadmill suitable for this purpose! After all, the test subjects cannot walk around freely in a room that is already too cramped and crammed full of specialized equipment. Buy an off-the-shelf treadmill? No chance. Too many special requirements. Depending on the filming situation and the subject, the two ramps as well as all handrails, side walls, and panels must be quickly removable. In other words, light enough for setup and takedown, yet sufficiently safe and stable.

It is also X-ray compatible—that is, lead-lined—so as not to interfere with imaging. It can be controlled from various sides and will be equipped in the future with modern force-measuring plates and other features. Approximately 20 fundamental design requirements had to be addressed to meet the institute’s specifications. In short: This project required an experienced treadmill supplier with specialized expertise, a high degree of flexibility, and an equally high level of reliability.

The institute found the right partner in Oliver Sandmann, a manufacturer of high-quality horse training and rehabilitation equipment based in the beautiful Emsland region. His company, Sascotec Horsepower, already possesses considerable medical expertise following its acquisition of the internationally renowned Mustang high-speed treadmill from Switzerland, which is used in numerous veterinary clinics worldwide. In addition, Sascotec Horsepower is currently testing a new AI-powered health analysis system for horses, which is set to be integrated into its in-house treadmills in the near future.

And since taking on new challenges doesn’t make you any less intelligent, Oliver Sandmann designed the Leipzig-based company’s treadmill from the ground up after receiving the order: Tailored to the limited space available, meeting all medical requirements, designed for easy assembly and disassembly, ensuring safe operation for both the staff and the animals being examined, and maintaining the excellent material quality for which Sascotec Horsepower products are renowned worldwide. Mission accomplished! The treadmill works, and so does the X-ray equipment!

Exciting studies are now on the horizon that will yield entirely new insights and provide precise information about the position and (potential) stress on the skeleton, joint surfaces, tendons, and muscles during movement. The data collected from the high-speed images allow for precise analyses of current conditions. They thus also map individual clinical pictures, from which more effective therapies can be derived than was previously possible.

„We’ve learned a lot and are incredibly proud to have managed to reconcile all those initially conflicting requirements. We’re delighted to have contributed to the development of the FluoKin method and wish the Leipzig institute every success in its research in the service of animal health!” Oliver Sandmann concludes our phone conversation.

For readers who would like to learn more about this topic, please visit the following website: https://www.vetmed.uni-leipzig.de/veterinaer-anatomisches-institut/forschung/labore/hochfrequenz-fluoreszenz-kinematographie.