Celebrating 10,000+ clinical scans
At Asto CT, we’re proud to celebrate 10,000+ clinical scans and the incredible veterinarians, clinics, and equine professionals who have made this achievement possible.
At Asto CT, we’re proud to celebrate 10,000+ clinical scans and the incredible veterinarians, clinics, and equine professionals who have made this achievement possible.
Designed for the equine athlete, Asto CT delivers precise, standing CT scans that support faster diagnosis and better-informed treatment decisions—empowering veterinarians with the clarity they need, when they need it most.
“Getting a study done with the Asto CT is incredibly easy. Beyond the superior image quality and expanded diagnostic capabilities compared to standard X-rays, it’s a true labor-saving device”
Dr. Kevin Keegan
DVM, MS, DACVS Professor, Equine Surgeon, MU VHC Equine Hospital
“It makes sense that any equine practice with an advanced lameness program would have Equine Standing CT installed. For us at Virginia Equine Imaging, it’s a critical tool for diagnosing lameness and developing treatment plans. ”
Dr. Kent Allen
DVM, CERT. ISELP, President & Executive Director ISELP, Virginia Equine Imaging
“Traditional CT does not allow for the close observation that the Equina provides. With traditional CT there is increased risk, if you’re leaving a horse tied to a machine, or positioned in an unnatural position”
Dr. Sabrina Brounts
DVM, MS, DACVS, DACVSMR (Equine Clinical Professor, Head of Large Animal Surgery, UW Madison)
“Imaging both limbs simultaneously helps us identify unexpected lesions with significant prognostic implications. It allows for a complete assessment of key joints, and provides a view of bone, soft tissues, and foot balance.”
Dr. Chris Whitton
BVSc, FANZCVS, PhD, Professor at Melbourne Veterinary School
“The biggest benefit of the standing CT at our clinic is its speed and precision. Compared to other imaging modalities like MRI and X-ray, we can obtain high-quality, three-dimensional diagnostic images in under a minute”
Dr. Nicolas Ernst
DVM, DACVS-LA, Associate Professor VPM, Equine Surgeon at the UMN Leatherdale Equine Center
“Excited for our 500th Standing CT exam. In two and a half years, this diagnostic tool has revolutionized our equine practice. I see lesions that are not visible or difficult to interpret on radiographs almost every day”
Megan J. McCracken
DVM, MS, DACVS-LA, Assistant Teaching Professor Equine Surgery, Missouri University Veterinary Health Center
“In private practice, standing CT is practical and well tolerated by the horse. It requires less time than MRI, allows us to image a larger area of interest, and is often more cost effective. We’re identifying pathology beyond what ultrasound and radiographs”
Dr. Jack Caldwell
DVM, Virginia Equine Imaging
“The Equina® is one of the most innovative, advanced imaging devices available for veterinary medicine. We can scan front or back limb pairs, or the head/neck of a standing horse under light sedation, allowing the patient to be in and out in just minutes with minimal stress and risk.”
Dr. Paul Wan
DVM, DACVS, CERT. VBM, SoCal Equine Hospital
“We had the full support from Asto CT through construction and commissioning. In addition, the reliability of the machine and the expertise of the on-site team kept the machine running efficiently”
Dr. James Whitmore
BVetMed CertAVP MRCVS, Veterinary Surgeon and Director, Cotts Equine Hospital
“Asto CT provided our team with comprehensive details and guidance in every step of the acquiring the Equina CT scanner. From purchasing, design, installation, training, and clinical support we felt all our needs met”
Dr. Kevin Keegan
DVM, MS, DACVS Professor, Equine Surgeon, MU VHC Equine Hospital
“When considering a CT manufacturer for your equine practice, partnering with a vendor like Asto CT was a key aspect to our success throughout the entire process. They provided 360-degree support for every stage from financing to installation”
Dr. Douglas Langer
DVM, Wisconsin Equine Clinic and Hospital
“Asto CT’s support has been exceptional whether on-site or remotely, their team is always available to keep our system running smoothly. Their expert engineers respond quickly, minimizing downtime and ensuring we can focus on patient care.”
Dr. Nicolas Ernst
DVM, DACVS-LA, Associate Professor VPM, Equine Surgeon at the UMN Leatherdale Equine Center
“Asto CT made the entire installation process seamless from planning and logistics to training and ongoing support. Their team worked closely with us every step of the way, ensuring our scanner was up and running efficiently.“
Tricia Kasten
Practice Manager Wisconsin Equine Clinic and Hospital
Meet the visionaries behind Asto CT and discover the story, science, and impact behind this major milestone.
Dr. Sabrina Brounts, Clinical Professor and Asto CT Clinical Advisor, shares the powerful moment she saw a standing CT scan in action for the first time and realized a dream had become reality.
CEO and Cofounder Dr. David Ergun reflects on the journey to 10,000+ scans and what this means for the future of equine care.
Dr. Mark D. Markel imagined a safer, smarter way to image horses: standing, weight-bearing CT. Back then, it was just an idea one that many doubted could even be possible.
In this eBook, learn:
How to select the ideal partner for your equine CT journey
Key milestones in installing an equine standing CT and ensuring timely delivery
The importance of choosing a CT partner committed to ongoing innovation and future upgrades
2015
The concept for Asto CT is born, driven by a mission to make equine imaging safer and more accessible. Founders David Ergun, Thomas “Rock” Mackie, Peter Muir, and Mark Markel and clinical advisor Sabrina Brounts begin developing a standing CT solution that will transform equine diagnostics.
2016
The first working prototype of the Equina® CT is developed in partnership with Photo Diagnostic System Inc (PDSI) now SureScan. Asto CT collaborates with equine imaging experts and clinicians to address real-world challenges and clinical needs.
2017
A major milestone is reached as the first successful standing CT scan is performed on a live horse. Volunteer horse, CeCe (Kirker-Head), from Tufts University is brought to the PDSI testing site to be scanned. Additional bench testing and simulated scans validate the system’s readiness for clinical application.
2018
The first installation and clinical scans take place at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Standing equine CT proves to be safe, effective, and practical for everyday veterinary use.
2019
Second and third Equina® CT installations occur at the University of Minnesota–Leatherdale Equine Center and the University of Melbourne Equine Centre. Early client feedback helps refine system performance and workflow integration.
2020
Asto CT surpasses 1,000 clinical scans, validating the technology’s value in enhancing diagnostic confidence and patient safety. Interest in standing CT continues to rise.
2021
Software updates and hardware refinements continue during the COVID epidemic, focused on workflow efficiency and image quality. Asto CT continues to evolve to meet the needs based on early adopter feedback. Asto CT’s presence grows at key veterinary conferences, including AAEP and BEVA.
2022
Following COVID, the fourth installation is placed at Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery in Texas. And mission complete for Racing Victoria in Australia — compulsory scanning with Equine Standing CT for the Melbourne Cup enters year two in an effort to minimize catastrophic injury. In 2022, 40 horses were scanned and 3 withdrawn (7.5%) with zero CMI’s This trend continues to this day. Asto CT attends AAEP in San Antonio and BEVA.
2023
New installations at SoCal Equine Hospital, MU VHC Equine Hospital, and Sharjah Equine Hospital expand the Equina® footprint. Publications led by Asto CT clinical advisor Dr. Sabrina Brounts contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting standing CT. Asto CT attends AAEP in San Diego and BEVA in Birmingham, UK.
2024
Installations continue at NVA Wisconsin Equine Clinic and Hospital (US) and Cotts Equine Hospital (UK). New publication on radiation exposure levels emitted by the Equina® CT reinforces Asto CT’s commitment to safety. Asto CT attends BEVA in Liverpool and AAEP in Orlando.
2025
Asto CT celebrates 10 years of innovation, collaboration, and clinical success. With over 10,000 scans performed, new installations at Virginia Equine Imaging and Equine Innovative Medicine mark continued growth and a forward-looking commitment to advancing equine diagnostics.
Asto CT delivers advanced, standing 3D imaging with unparalleled precision—redefining diagnostics while prioritizing safety and comfort for both horse and handler. Join the veterinarians leading the way in equine care with Asto CT—because better imaging means better outcomes. Schedule a demo or connect with our team today.