Speeding up AIMD development

Comate, the province of Flemish Brabant and research center NeuroElectronics Research Flanders (NERF), are joining forces to anchor technological expertise in Active Implantable Medical Devices and peripherals—commonly known as active implants—in the region. These medical devices offer innovative therapeutic and diagnostic solutions for conditions such as spinal cord injuries, epilepsy, and diabetes. This collaboration ensures that the development of these medical devices proceeds more quickly and efficiently.

AIMDs & Peripherals

Active Implantable Medical Devices (AIMDs) are medical tools implanted in the body that operate via electrical stimulation, such as pacemakers or neurostimulators. A peripheral allows the AIMD to be charged and communicated with from outside the body. Unlike passive implants, which only serve a supportive role, active implants take on a therapeutic or diagnostic function. They offer solutions for spinal cord injuries, epilepsy, and diabetes.

Due to the rise in neurological disorders, global demand for these active implants is increasing.

To meet this growth, Comate and NERF—together with partners, suppliers, and other stakeholders, and with support from the province of Flemish Brabant—are launching targeted initiatives.

Based on 15 years of experience and a dozen AIMD & peripheral references from Comate, along with research from NERF, methodologies and processes have been structured to make the development of new AIMDs and peripherals more efficient and faster.

“The development of active implants is particularly complex,” says Samuel Schellekens, Business Developer Health at Comate. “You need expertise in biocompatible materials that can safely interact with the human body without causing harmful reactions. But also in electronics, energy management, wireless communication, and miniaturization. Thanks to the support from the province of Flemish Brabant, we were able to systematically document this knowledge, structure it, and optimize controlled work methods in accordance with ISO13485.”

We want to bring medical innovation to patients faster. We speed up medical progress by bringing together experts and researchers. - Samuel Schellekens, Global Business Developer Healthcare at Comate

Flemish Brabant is fertile ground for AIMD innovation

With strong players such as ICsense, NERF, KU Leuven Neurotech, imec, Guru Plastics, and Comate, Flemish Brabant is fertile ground for AIMD innovation. “Belgium may be small, but it’s a frontrunner in AIMD and peripherals,” says Samuel Schellekens of Comate. “Together with the province, we’re building an ecosystem with international impact.”

The broader AIMD ecosystem also received a boost. In 2025, Comate organized the Active Implants Assembly for the second year in a row—a hardware event that brought together Europe’s top experts in AIMD and peripherals in Flemish Brabant.

“We want to bring medical innovation to patients faster,” says Samuel Schellekens of Comate. “By bringing together experts and researchers, we stimulate collaboration and knowledge sharing.”

“This project shows how local collaboration leads to globally relevant solutions for the healthcare of tomorrow,” concludes Deputy Gunther Coppens.

Exhibitor Data Sheet