Client Background
A leading European biomedical company, specialising in patient-specific bone graft implants, faced limitations with its traditional workflow for handling CT scans. For years, surgeons sent CT images on physical discs by courier. While reliable, this method was slow, costly, and prone to risks related to data integrity and traceability.
To scale internationally and support surgeons across different regions, the company recognised the need for a secure, cloud-based image exchange platform. The goal was to modernise collaboration between surgeons and biomedical engineers while ensuring full compliance with global regulatory standards.
Challenges
1. Gaining Surgeon Trust in a Digital Workflow
Convincing surgeons to adopt a digital tool they are not familiar with is not easy. In the past, sending CT scans by courier had been the standard practice. It was cumbersome and slow, but it was also a trusted process. Surgeons were understandably hesitant to switch to a digital, cloud-based CT exchange system unless it could demonstrate absolute reliability and simplicity. The platform had to be intuitive, like placing a disc in an envelope, while also providing reassurance that patient data would remain secure and intact.
2. Integrating a Complex, Multi-Step Workflow
The process for creating custom bone grafts was well-established and meticulously structured: Surgeons sent the CT scan with an order form, engineers performed the 3D planning, a draft design was returned to the surgeon, and only after approval would manufacturing begin. Any digital solution had to replicate this workflow in an online environment faithfully. Introducing disruption or adding more complexity would inevitably affect clinical adoption and desired efficiency gains.
3. Ensuring Data Security and Privacy
Medical images contain some of the most sensitive personal health information (PHI), and strict regulations, such as GDPR in Europe and HIPAA in the United States, govern how such data can be handled. The company needed a solution guaranteeing end-to-end encryption, providing strict access control, and maintaining full audit trails to ensure traceability. Beyond simple compliance, it was also a matter of building trust with hospitals and surgeons who needed to know their patients’ data was being treated with the highest standard of care.
Solution
To address these challenges, the company implemented decidemedical, a cloud-based image exchange platform designed for secure online collaboration on medical cases.
For surgeons, our cloud solution provided a secure portal where they could:
- Enter clinical data into digital forms.
- Upload CT scans with a simple drag-and-drop interface.
- Receive immediate confirmation that their data has been transmitted safely.
This transparency and reassurance were key to building trust, making the digital transition seamless and stress-free.
On the engineering side, decidemedical served as a centralised collaboration hub where biomedical specialists could:
- Download scans to perform segmentation and 3D graft design.
- Instantly, return draft designs to surgeons online – eliminating the need for manual transfer.
- Enable surgeons to log in, review models, and give online approval or feedback.
Version control and audit trails ensured transparency, allowing all stakeholders to track changes and approvals in real time. This mirrored the established workflow without introducing unnecessary complexity and cut design approval times by more than half.
Information security and regulatory compliance have been core features of decidemedical’s design from the very beginning.
- File encryption in transit and at rest, and de-identification when needed.
- Role-based access controls (RBAC) restricted data visibility to authorised personnel only.
- Compliance certifications (ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR) ensured adherence to global standards and will give hospitals worldwide the confidence to adopt the solution.
- Data hosting in European, certified medical data centres of OVHcloud
Result
With decidemedical, our client was able to achieve the following outcomes:
- Improved operational efficiency: CT transfer time went from days (shipping) to minutes (upload), eliminating courier fees and CO2 emissions.
- Fast clinical adoption: Surgeons reported the platform was intuitive, reliable and reduced administrative burden. The digital workflow mirrored their existing processes while adding convenience.
- Seamless collaboration: Engineers and surgeons could iterate faster on graft designs, improving fit and reducing surgical risks.
- Data privacy & security built trust: Transparent compliance and encryption reassured stakeholders about data safety, fostering a long-term partnership.
Conclusion
This case demonstrates that transitioning to a cloud-based image exchange platform can be smooth and impactful. Through a thoughtful, user-focused approach, the biomedical company successfully addressed the challenges of digital adoption, workflow integration, and data security. The result is a modern digital infrastructure that transforms collaboration in custom bone graft design, reduces time-to-treatment, and establishes a scalable, secure foundation for global expansion and future innovations in personalised implants.
“As a company creating custom-made implants, we’ve learned that real progress happens when innovation supports the daily work of surgeons. Technology should make their lives easier and not get in the way.”
Product Specialist, Biomedical Company
Future Outlook
The company plans to integrate AI-powered tools to further streamline the design process and to partner with more hospitals worldwide, leveraging our cloud solution to scale their custom bone graft services efficiently.
