Part 1 | Components for Embedded Medical
Advantech: Real-time Inference Systems for Hospitals and OR
Embedded medical technology is shaped by AI. Advantech is currently focusing on AI-supported 3D image segmentation: fast inference systems such as AIR-520 and AIR-510 enable real-time analyses for precise navigation and robotic assistance in the OR. Modular and optimized for clinical integration.
Whether at Medica or Embedded World - the embedded and IoT provider Advantech has been focusing on medical technology for years and can be considered a pioneer for AI-based embedded systems and dedicated hardware platforms for manufacturer-independent medical device development - currently with a clear focus on medical (3D) imaging and AI-supported segmentation. The focus is on inference systems that have been specially developed to meet the high demands for precision and real-time capability in hospitals and operating theaters.
| »We bring AI technology closer to the patient - from small Nvidia Jetson solutions to server-based systems with PCIe GPUs or Nvidia IGX. Our platforms are custom integrated into medical devices for medtech OEMs, supporting more precise, sometimes robotic surgery and intelligent imaging,« |
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| says Christoph Kühn, medical expert at Advantech about the embedded AI portfolio. |
Integration typically takes place directly in the medical device - for example in surgical robots, eye or ENT operating systems.
AI-supported Imaging: From Hardware to Clinical Application
Automated 3D segmentation is becoming increasingly important in radiology and intraoperative navigation, with huge potential to significantly streamline clinical workflows in the future. Advantech is addressing this development with system platforms such as the AIR-520 (based on AMD Epyc) and the AIR-510 (with Nvidia RTX Ada 6000), which are powerful inference systems optimized for use with Nvidia Clara and Nvidia Holoscan.
In the medical sector, Edge AI servers make it possible to analyze and segment complex image data - such as from CT or MRI scans - in real time. This is essential for applications such as precise navigation during microsurgery, support for robot-assisted operations or intraoperative visualization of tumour boundaries. The integration of 3D segmentation via Monai on 3D Slicer as a demonstration at Embedded World 2025 showed the potential of the platforms for sophisticated deep learning workflows that can run directly at the patient's bedside or in the operating room.
| »Our embedded medical systems are high-performance inferencing systems that enable AI-supported image analysis in real time - and therefore a decisive advantage for safety and efficiency in the OR.« |
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| Christoph Kühn, Medical Sales at Advantech |
Real-time Capability and System Integration as Key Factors
The real-time capability of the systems is a key criterion: even slight delays of just a few seconds are unacceptable in the OR when it comes to precision and patient safety. Advantech relies on sophisticated system integration - apart from fixed platforms such as Nvidia IGX, medtech customers can configure their systems according to their system requirements - from the selection of the appropriate CPU/GPU combination to the thermal design (airflow, housing integration) and the variety of interfaces. This ensures seamless and secure integration into existing clinical workflows. The platforms have a modular design and can be equipped with up to four GPUs via PCI slots depending on performance requirements, which enables flexible scaling for various clinical scenarios.
Christoph Kühn highlights the comprehensive support with certifications (EN 60601-1/-2, UL, EMC, RF/WiFi), lifecycle management and support as a unique selling point. Advantech accompanies customers from the prototype phase through to series production and offers active change management (PCN) to minimize the impact of component discontinuations on approval and operation. This not only reduces regulatory hurdles, but also increases operational reliability and investment security for medical technology manufacturers.
AI as Driver for Connected Medical Technology
The development towards AI-supported 3D imaging marks a paradigm shift in medical technology. With its portfolio of embedded systems, all-in-one panel PCs, tablets, telemedicine solutions and specialized cards, technology provider Advantech is positioning itself as an enabler for this transformation - from the hardware platform and software integration to certification and support. The components and systems are already in use today in various modalities and are being continuously expanded for further medical fields of application.
With its consistent focus on real-time inference systems, Advantech provides a central building block for the next generation of medical technology. Developers and manufacturers benefit from scalable, certified and AI-optimized platforms that pave the way for more precise diagnostics and safer interventions. (uh)
