About Fluent Wave BV

Philips – Although the first X-ray pictures were judged as miraculous, there was a need for “live” images. The invention of the Image Intensifier vacuum tube fulfilled this need. The idea for this device was first developed by Mr. G.Holst, working for Philips & Co, the world-renowned electronics company. The Philips research laboratory is acknowledged to be the founder of X-ray detection technology that is still today’s leading image detection technology in the medical field. The first successful X-ray Image Intensifier tube was produced in Philips laboratories in 1948, but it took until 1953 to launch the first 5-inch tube for medical applications at the International Congress of Radiology in Copenhagen, Denmark.

In 1952 Philips started Image Intensifier production in Eindhoven (NL), and shortly after that, all sizeable medical equipment original equipment manufacturers (OEM’s) purchased their Image Intensifiers from Philips. Soon new technologies were developed, such as the first multimode tube in 1965 and high DQE input screens in 1979. In 1985 Philips opened a new Center of Competence and Image Intensifier production facility in Heerlen Netherlands near the Philips research labs in Aachen, Germany. At this new facility, the production of the 100,000th device was celebrated. Furthermore, in 2002 Philips Healthcare bestowed the prestigious Philips Quality Award for the image Intensifier/TV in Heerlen and the Philips Business Excellence Award (Philips equivalent of EFQM) in 2007.

Argus Imaging – In 2008, to expand market opportunities, Philips decided to divest their Image Intensifiers division, and Argus Imaging BV completed the purchase in 2010. Argus Imaging continued to manufacture imaging subsystems for Philips and other systems integrators while optimizing its CsI scintillators for the new technology of Flat Panel Detectors. All image intensifiers have an input CsI scintillator to convert the X-ray photons into light and a Phosphor scintillator at the output to convert an electron beam signal into light that a camera can detect.

PerkinElmer Medical Imaging – In January 2015, the CsI scintillator technology and manufacturing was acquired by PerkinElmer Medical Imaging for use in its CMOS and a-Si Flat Panel Detectors. The CsI scintillator provided superior performance to existing products on the market and gave PerkinElmer a completive advantage for its newly acquired Dexela CMOS products. In addition, the phosphor technology segment of the business established itself as the largest supplier of phosphor scintillators for TEM/SEM cameras by providing a wide variety of phosphor products based upon a diversity of phosphor types and different substrate types.

Varex Imaging – In May 2017, following the spin-off from Varian Medical Systems, Varex Imaging acquired the PerkinElmer medical imaging group, which develops, manufactures, and sells digital detectors and scintillators. The acquisition helped Varex become the largest supplier of Flat Panel Detectors. The Varex Heerlen scintillator site dramatically increased developments and scale to support Varex’s growing Flat Panel Detector group with a broad portfolio of numerous types of CsI scintillators on the substrate and direct deposition on a-Si glass.

Fluent Wave BV – In October 2021, Varex Imaging divested Fluent Wave BV to provide supplier risk mitigation and enable Fluent Wave to provide CsI and Phosphor to the growing medical, dental, and industrial markets. The entire staff of Fluent Wave is excited about the opportunity for continued growth and supporting all customers.