18.07.2024
In Germany, digital health applications (DiGA) are an important part of modern medicine. In addition to mobile apps, these also include web-based applications, software for medical devices, telemedicine platforms, VR applications and wearable sensors. It is important that they support, improve or enable healthcare through the use of digital technologies.11.07.2024
Researchers at McMaster University and the University of Waterloo have developed a pain-free, wearable patch that continuously monitors blood glucose, lactates, and other critical health indicators, sending results to a smartphone. This new wearable device could transform health monitoring and improve patient care.21.05.2024
The start-up CERITER has developed a wearable that analyzes patients' gait in real time and immediately signals to them with audio signals whether they are walking correctly. The company uses a platform to make the results of the gait analysis and active support for therapy available in a clearly structured manner.07.05.2024
People with long-term diabetes often struggle with pressure sores and chronic wounds on their feet. These occur due to circulatory and sensory disorders. Careful monitoring of one's own feet is necessary for prevention. A newly developed insole with sensors, in combination with telemedicine, is intended to prevent the formation of foot ulcers.29.04.2024
Singaporean researchers, led by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), have introduced a mobile application named WellFeet, designed to educate individuals living with diabetes and their caregivers about the disease and assist them in monitoring daily activities, including medication, physical activity, and diet.25.04.2024
Researchers from the University Hospital Bonn, the University of Bonn, the Sankara Eye Foundation India, and Microsoft Research India are collaborating to improve cataract surgery outcomes in developing regions. Employing artificial intelligence (AI) for video analysis, their initiative aims to address challenges faced in the Global South.08.04.2024
In a study by Linköping University, an AI-based mobile app has shown high precision in diagnosing skin melanoma, offering new hope for early detection. This research marks a significant step forward in utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) for health diagnostics in primary care settings.03.04.2024
A new medical device developed by researchers at Northwestern University might soon offer individuals with bladder dysfunctions a way to monitor their condition in real time, thanks to a groundbreaking implant and accompanying smartphone app.26.03.2024
Imagine that your smartphone, your constant companion in everyday life, could now give you valuable insights into your health – and all you have to do is breathe. The start-up VoiceMed makes it possible.21.03.2024
In the future, artificial intelligence will monitor patients with advanced heart failure telemedically by the sound of their voice. This will make it possible to detect and treat deterioration at an early stage. The Berlin start-up Noah Labs UG has developed the AI required for this.14.03.2024
As part of the digital transformation in the healthcare sector, digital health applications are playing a central role in patient care. Their importance will continue to grow in the coming years, as they make a significant contribution to making healthcare more efficient, personalized and accessible. But what makes a good digital health solution?04.03.2024
The Amsterdam University Medical Center announces the implementation of the HartWacht (HeartGuard) app to enhance patient care at its Heart Centre. Developed by the Cardiology Centers Netherlands (CCN), this e-health tool enables remote monitoring of blood pressure and arrhythmias, empowering patients to manage their conditions from home effectively.20.02.2024
Cancer patients often suffer from fatigue syndrome as a side effect. This makes it difficult to cope with everyday life and is usually treated with physiotherapy and behavioral therapy. In the future, an anti-fatigue app should enable treatment to be individually tailored to the person.05.01.2024
At MEDICA 2023, we spoke to exhibitors who advise manufacturers of digital medical devices during the authorization process or who are launching digital medical devices on the market themselves. In the video, you can find out what is particularly important in the authorization process and where the stumbling blocks lie.21.12.2023
People with an anxiety disorder often feel restricted in their everyday lives. However, even when they are at the point of wanting help, finding a therapy place involves a long wait. During this challenging time, the Mindable app can help.06.12.2023
A new AI-assisted molecular diagnostic platform capable of identifying variants of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases has been developed by scientists in the UK. The low cost, portable device could play a crucial role in preventing future pandemics due to its accuracy and versatility.29.11.2023
A team led by Dr. Thomas Lang, psychology professor at Constructor University, has developed an app that patients can use to bridge waiting times to receive therapy.24.11.2023
The loss of an arm or leg has a huge impact on quality of life. In addition to the restrictions that an amputation means for daily activities, those affected often suffer from phantom pain, which is difficult to treat.21.11.2023
Patient information, relief for practitioners, support for rehabilitation exercises at home: the "Orthopy for knee injuries" app has recently become available as a prescription app to support anterior cruciate ligament tears and meniscus damage therapy. The app is backed by a dedicated team that has seen through its demanding approval process.13.11.2023
Every year, the MEDICA START-UP PARK attracts a lot of visitors. Young, up-and-coming companies present their products here – often for the first time ever. This stand has already been the starting point for the success stories of some companies that are now internationally active. At MEDICA 2023, we are once again taking the opportunity to talk to promising start-ups.08.11.2023
The SmartID counterfeit-proof barcode system means anyone can use a smartphone to check a product is genuine, provided the manufacturer uses SmartID.26.10.2023
Digitization is a perennial topic in the healthcare sector. Much has been written about the opportunities and dangers. But why is progress so slow in Germany and where do other EU countries stand?23.10.2023
For people with respiratory diseases, breathing can be a challenge. Breathment, a start-up from Munich, wants to change that. With their app, they want to help COPD patients with rehabilitation and disease management.10.10.2023
Regular pelvic floor training can help in preventing incontinence, and often in resolving it. However, this requires consistent training over a period of months. It is therefore crucial to provide those affected with a permanently motivating form of training.13.09.2023
To make medical assistants (MFA) fit for the future, Hannover Medical School (MHH) is launching a digital training offensive: together with the learning platform simpleclub, it is digitizing this professional training.02.08.2023
A team of researchers from the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) has participated in the development of Epileptika. This application aims to help the treatment of refractory epilepsy in people with intellectual disability.21.07.2023
Two students on the Master's Degree in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) have developed a mobile app capable of detecting in a matter of seconds whether someone is suffering from glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy or cataracts, three of the world's most common causes of vision loss and blindness.01.06.2023
Five subtypes of heart failure that could potentially be used to predict future risk for individual patients have been identified in a new study led by UCL (University College London) researchers.19.05.2023
A UBC Okanagan researcher has been testing the effectiveness of a mobile app that encourages people living with a spinal cord injury—but can walk—to get active.25.04.2023
Researchers at DZNE and the University Hospital Bonn, together with the Berlin-based company PeakProfiling GmbH, have developed a computer-assisted method that recognizes the severity of speech disturbances resulting from ataxia, a brain disease, with great accuracy.07.04.2023
A paper produced as part of the DAKI-FWS project (data and AI-supported early warning system to stabilize the German economy) will be featured in the prestigious journal Nature Medicine.03.04.2023
Globally, 55 million persons are effected by dementia. The neurodegenerative disease is a chronic condition. Once the decline in brain function has started, it is difficult to stop it, thus underscoring the importance of prevention. This is where memodio comes into play. The app is designed to help people with cognitive training and prevent dementia.03.04.2023
Fraunhofer FIT presents a toolbox for the rapid development of digital health applications. It can help to respond to urgent needs in the healthcare market. The platform integrates applications, methods and solutions from several national and European research projects.29.03.2023
International researchers –from the Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, and Spain– work together to develop an app that improves physical and emotional well-being in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D).23.03.2023
Physical exercise programmes tend to be more effective and easier to stick with when they have been prescribed via mobile digital devices rather than in person or without technological support.18.01.2023
Associate Professor Fumio Tanaka and his research group at the Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine recorded the autonomic nervous system activity of IBS patients and healthy subjects using a wearable device and tracked activities such as defecation and sleep.16.01.2023
Digital services relating to pregnancy are still far from commonplace in Germany. Yet their usefulness is beyond question. Of course, they should not replace the midwife or the visit to the doctor. But in our Topic of the Month, you can find out just how diverse the possibilities of digitization can be during the time between a positive pregnancy test and birth.16.01.2023
The demands of pregnancy are not easy on the expectant mother’s body. Although most pregnancies occur without complications, some women may experience health conditions or problems. Modern technologies are available to provide maternity care and are great resources to prevent problems during this important time.16.01.2023
Pregnant women often feel an increased need for information. It is great when midwives, gynecologists, and advisory services are within easy reach and quickly accessible as a valuable resource. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, especially in rural districts. This is where the HEDI app can help, because it puts pregnant women in touch with local contacts and services.16.01.2023
How far along is the digitization of the German healthcare system at the moment? It is an interesting question for both users and patients who can benefit directly from digitization and providers who plan to complement the German healthcare market with digitization products and solutions.11.01.2023
The first study of its kind that used smartwatches to monitor the physiological data of close to 5,000 Israelis for two years found that: Monitoring heart measures using smartwatches shows that the Corona booster vaccine is safe and there is no evidence of unusual adverse events.05.01.2023
With a shortage of therapists, help with mental health problems is being sought from digital interventions, where elements of psychological treatment are offered via computer programs or mobile applications. According to a study, smart devices can help identify people with symptoms of depression and anxiety.17.11.2022
Smart devices and mobile applications that give us an all-round view of our health or support us in everyday life are very much in vogue. It doesn't matter if it's about prevention or help during rehabilitation. However, it is not that easy to meet the strict regulatory requirements. But the drive for innovation continues undiminished.17.11.2022
At MEDICA 2022, you can see why smart assistants are needed in the laboratory and which gadgets have made it into everyday laboratory work, thus reducing the workload of the specialists there and increasing efficiency.15.11.2022
Blood sugar, heartbeat, sleep - nowadays, many apps and wearables help us keep an eye on our health and even diagnose diseases. At MEDICA 2022, we discovered some of the little all-rounders for your pocket.10.10.2022
The KIMEDS project aims to develop an AI-supported safety solution across the entire lifecycle of medical software to shorten the time from development to certification of innovative medical technology. The goal is to provide best medical care for patients, prompting a close project collaboration between science, industry, and regulatory authorities.01.09.2022
Start-ups are the innovation drivers in the medical market. But a good idea alone is not enough. In our topic of the month September, three representatives tell us what hurdles there are on the way to market establishment and tips on how up-and-coming founders can circumvent some of them.01.06.2022
Some patients need physiotherapy after suffering an injury, but the process can be tough and tedious. Depending on the indication, this may necessitate multiple treatment sessions that can span several weeks. Added to this are therapy exercises patients should do at home. The amount of training and repetitions can make it difficult to stay engaged. Gamification in therapy can boost motivation.01.06.2022
Gamification is becoming ever more popular in rehabilitation. Yet it’s not easy to design games that increase motivation and engagement. Fabienne Erben is a student at the Munich University of Applied Sciences who accepted the challenge and homed in on a difficult target group: children.01.06.2022
Gamification has long since made its way into modern physical therapy. Games make it easy for people of all ages to enjoy their exercises. And that in turn contributes to the success of therapy – whether after a sports injury or in exercise therapy for children. Find out more in our Topic of the Month.16.05.2022
Imagine being able to measure your blood sugar levels, know if you’ve had too much to drink, and track your muscle fatigue during a workout, all in one small device worn on your skin. Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a prototype of such a wearable that can continuously monitor several health stats—glucose, alcohol, and lactate levels—simultaneously in real-time.22.04.2022
We all make mistakes from time to time or forget to do things. But people with diabetes can have serious health problems if they miscalculate or inject the wrong insulin dose. A research team from the Dresden University of Technology (TU Dresden) and a startup from Leipzig aim to make living with diabetes easier.05.04.2022
The treatment of chronic and acute pain phases centers on the patient’s pain profile. The treatment strategies must be flexible to facilitate customized adjustments. The AI-powered pain treatment solution by medicalmotion offers support and makes individualized exercise recommendations to manage the individual needs of pain patients with neuromusculoskeletal disorders.01.04.2022
When they are presented with respiratory disease, physicians listen to the lungs and airways to assess the sound of the patient’s breath and cough. Artificial intelligence now helps patients with respiratory diseases even outside of the doctor’s office: "ResGuard Med" monitors coughing during the night, detects the worsening of symptoms and issues an alert.01.04.2022
Who could have foreseen how the Corona pandemic would transform our lives? The work world has been transformed by mobile working and digital tools. Face-to-face meetings still matter, but they are not quite as important as they used to be. And telemedicine is changing how physicians interact with patients.29.03.2022
As we get older, we tend to become more forgetful, sometimes strange or even confused and overwhelmed by everyday life. But is it always just the age? With an increasing lifespan, the possibility to suffer from a cognitive disease at one point is also increasing. The majority of cognitive diseases is never diagnosed.23.02.2022
The start-up dermanostic, multiple-time exhibitor in the MEDICA START-UP PARK, unites telemedicine with dermatology: patients can upload images of skin diseases via app and receive specialist consultation. This not only helps to reduce direct contacts during the Corona pandemic, but also benefits areas without dermatologist offices.08.02.2022
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous systems that requires regular checkups with the neurologist every three months. However, an exacerbation of MS, also known as a flare-up, can occur between these appointments. The Konectom smartphone app aims to close this diagnostic gap.18.11.2021
Telemedicine offers a wide range of technical applications for almost all medical situations: patients no longer have to visit the doctor's office in person, pharmacies can keep a close eye on medication dosages, and sensors prevent patient falls in nursing care. Has the industry received a boost through the Corona pandemic? We find out at MEDICA 2021.02.11.2021
Taiwan has long been a model for the implementation and use of new technologies. It is thus only natural that Taiwanese companies are forerunners when it comes to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare. This is also one of the topics of this year’s MEDICA CONNECTED HEALTHCARE FORUM.01.10.2021
Falls are one of the most common causes of patient injury in both hospital and nursing home settings. Without technical assistance, falls are difficult to predict and prevent. But even if care facilities use technology, it tends to be based on outdated approaches.01.09.2021
The most common injury that affects runners stems from overuse, not falls. Early warning signs include changes in motion. Successful injury prevention could pick up on this aspect by detecting and responding to these deviations at an early stage. It is the focus of the "Smart Injury Prevention" project.22.07.2021
Staying in touch with your staff always, everywhere: The Malteser Hilfsdienst (a relief organization in the healthcare sector) in Mainz, Germany, use an app to keep their staff up to date. Learn more about the advantages of the app, especially for shift duty and the healthcare sector, how the app IK-up! works and how employees can contribute to topics in our video interview.03.05.2021
Fostering healthy behavior, improving preventive care, and managing chronic conditions: medical apps can make personal health easier. After the launch of the Digital Healthcare Act (DVG) in 2019, Germany has turned over a new leaf in healthcare. Physicians in Germany can now prescribe digital health applications with the costs covered by statutory insurance.03.05.2021
Professor Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf was involved in the development of a digital health application (DiGA) for cancer patients. The Mika app provides information and accompanies patients through treatment with a personalized support program that caters to all types of cancer. In this MEDICA-tradefair.com interview, she explains the opportunities and the limits of digital health applications.03.05.2021
Digital health apps (DiGA) are increasingly becoming part of patients' everyday lives. Since the "apps on prescription" are thoroughly tested by the BfArM before approval, they are currently only tailored to individual diseases. In this Topic of the Month, we take a look at the place DiGAs already occupy in healthcare today and how they will continue to develop in the future.03.05.2021
The benefits of digital health applications are numerous and include the flexibility to self-monitor your illness from home with a mobile device. One caveat: Digital health applications must abide by technical and legal frameworks to be recognized as such.21.04.2021
In this interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com, Lina Behrens explains how Flying Health helps its clients develop new business models and gives an outlook on the future of healthcare.11.01.2021
According to the WHO, around 600 million people worldwide suffer from chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma. Key in the fight against these diseases is therapy adherence, but many sufferers often find this difficult. The result is increased hospitalization, which ultimately comes at the expense of the healthcare system. Smart and mobile technologies could change that.06.01.2021
Until now, it sounded quite odd to receive reimbursement for digital health apps: There are too many and the majority has never been checked for safety and positive effects. Thanks to the "Digital Health Applications Ordinance", these apps can now reach the German market in a regulated way, physicians can prescribe them and statutory health insurance companies reimburse their use.01.01.2021
Allergic asthma is a chronic disease that makes regular monitoring essential to keep it under control. This is the only way to determine whether the prescribed medication is effective or whether the patient needs a treatment adjustment. Vivatmo me is a breath analyzer device for home use and helps keep asthma patients safe and confident between visits to the doctor.20.11.2020
Bringing the technology to the patient and not the other way around – that is the idea behind CardioSecur. The physician can connect the mobile ECG system to his smartphone and thus have it with him always and everywhere. We asked MD and Founder Felix Brand how this works, to what extent patients also benefit from it and why the technology is particularly useful in corona times.02.11.2020
Hospitals are considered to be a primary route of disease transmission. That is why patient rooms, operating rooms, and waiting areas should be disinfected regularly and thoroughly - and not just during the coronavirus pandemic. At the virtual.MEDICA trade fair, ICA Traffic GmbH will showcase the HERO21 robot, a disinfection unit that uses UVC radiation.24.08.2020
For the annual MEDICA trade fair, companies from all over the world assemble in Düsseldorf. The Israel Export Institute has been a part of it for the last couple of years. They present medical devices and digital innovations from different Israeli companies at their joint booth.22.05.2020
Athletes not only have to be fit and stay in shape, but they also have to achieve peak performance, especially when they get ready for athletic events. Optimized and individualized performance training requires data from external laboratories and institutes. The [i/med] Sports platform from DORNER Health IT Solutions provides a complete workflow − from anamnesis to diagnostic report.08.05.2020
A conversation between the patient and the doctor is always at the start of the health journey. The idea is to set the stage and share important information. This process can be shortened if information is already available in digital form. In the future, patients can submit their medication plan via app thanks to "eMMa".03.03.2020
Atrial fibrillation is one of the causes for a stroke and often appears without any previous indications. To reduce the risks and provide fast results, the application FibriCheck was invented. With the app it is possible to collect and measure data via smartphone camera.03.02.2020
Chronic cardiovascular diseases are a growing burden worldwide. Most of them are diseases of civilization that spread, where lifestyle is improving or where it is good already. But the healthcare systems are not growing equally to keep up with this development. We can make up for this by making cardiological care smarter with eHealth and mHealth.03.02.2020
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year. Acute events such as heart attacks and strokes stand out in this setting. Chronic heart diseases can also be a debilitating condition for many patients. If cardiology uses digital methods and tools, it can reach more affected people.02.12.2019
Too many people in need of care and not enough health care professionals – we all know the problem. For years, research is underway to find digital solutions for AAL to support the growing number of older & sick adults. These new technologies aim to both alleviate caregiver burden and enhance everyday life of people in need of care with a minimum level of constraint whilst promoting independence.02.12.2019
Average life expectancy keeps increasing, while birth rates are declining – at least when it comes to most industrial nations. The coming decades will see a decreasing number of gainfully employed people versus more and more senior citizens and people in need of care. It's a trend that already pushes healthcare to the brink. That's why we desperately need new concepts. One of them is AAL.05.11.2019
Completely underestimated: The safety risks associated with the networking of different medical devices, particularly in hospitals, have so far been severely neglected. This may now change, because the German expert group CyberMed has developed a filling aid for the technical information sheet on the cyber security of medical devices, the MDS2 form.04.11.2019
Artificial intelligence holds the promise of salvation when it comes to medicine: it is meant to unburden medical professionals, save time and money and perform tasks reliably and tirelessly. But before AI algorithms are allowed to diagnose diseases, many technical and ethical questions still need answers.21.10.2019
Digital blood glucose measurement via a sensor on the arm, glucose values in an app and data evaluation with the help of software: diabetes experts, product specialists at Roche Diabetes Care Germany and a patient talk in our report on MEDICA.de about the future of diabetes treatment.08.05.2019
Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of persistent cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm). Researchers estimate that 1.8 million Germans are presently affected by this disease. The condition is difficult to diagnose, frequently goes undetected and may result in a stroke. A new smartwatch medical app is designed to help patients detect atrial fibrillation before it’s too late.23.04.2019
It's noisy, tight and scary - that's how children feel about a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine. Because they are scared, they are often too fidgety and anxious during the procedure, causing the images to blur or the scan to be stopped. Researchers have now developed a VR app called Pingunauten Trainer that’s designed to gently prepare the little patients for MRI scans.01.03.2019
COPD affects more than 200 million people in the world. Those affected by this chronic pulmonary disease are often slow to notice the symptoms and get a medical diagnosis. This results in secondary complications and high medical costs. That's why an early diagnosis, comprehensive treatment, and frequent monitoring are very important. Various devices and tools support this all-round care.08.02.2019
The consequences of sports injuries can be very serious and sideline athletes for a long time. Although it often seems like these injuries happen in a split second, they can also be the result of overuse and loads that usually weaken the athlete over time. This stress can be detected and reduced with wearable technology and injuries prevented before they happen.02.01.2019
While they are very useful, health apps have one major drawback: anyone can release and distribute them unchecked. Only some apps require medical device certification. So how can users spot a great, safe and useful app? When it comes to diabetes apps, the “DiaDigital” seal of distinction is the answer.02.01.2019
Monitoring blood sugar levels, counting carbohydrates, calculating insulin doses, and keeping accurate records - diabetes is a data-intensive disease that demands a lot of self-discipline and attention from the patients. Some concerns are patients neglecting to keep a food journal, "fudged" test results or calculation errors. Digital solutions help patients easily manage the large volumes of data.