The success of BrainLAB, a leader in radiotherapy and image-guided surgery, has been built on two strengths: technological innovation, particularly in software designed specifically for medical applications, and a series of alliances with large device partners that gave it the clout to get its products to market. Though BrainLAB is, on some level, a capital equipment company, it remains, culturally, a software provider, with the aggressive, innovative, entrepreneurial spirit associated with software companies. The company's next major challenge: getting off to a quick start in orthopedics, which could be image-guided surgery's biggest market to date.

UltraGuide Inc. offers free-hand, in-plane or out-of-plane image guidance for minimally invasive surgical procedures. Its CT and ultrasound guidance systems are on the market now, with an MRI guidance product in the wings. The company aims to make its technology affordable for all hospitals, even those that perform relatively low numbers of image-guided procedures.

Cbyon Inc. is providing 3D imaging for surgeons, making it feasible to expand applications of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) to more procedures.The two year old start-up is already selling its software-based technology platform, along with surgical tools to neurosurgeons for selected procedures. It has exclusive rights to technology developed at Stanford University

A preview of the emerging health care companies profiled in the current issue of Start-Up. This month's profile group, E-medical market research, features profiles of Jstreetdata.com Inc., MedPanel Inc. and TargetRx Inc. Plus these selected Start-Ups across Health Care: Acurian Inc., Cbyon Inc., Lorantis LTD, Vascular Architects Inc. and Zygogen LLC.