The smart lab: Between manual work and digitization
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Image: A transparent, flexible electronic device wrapped around a fingertip featuring visible circuits and components printed on a thin, stretchable material; Copyright: Shichao Ding

Shichao Ding

Sweat-powered finger wrap enables continuous health monitoring

19.09.2024

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a sweat-powered finger wrap that monitors vital health biomarkers such as glucose, lactate, vitamin C, and levodopa. This wearable device utilizes sweat from the wearer’s fingertip for both power and health monitoring, making it a convenient and non-invasive tool for personalized health tracking.
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Image: Person measuring blood pressure with an electronic blood pressure monitor while holding a smartphone in the other hand.

Smarter monitoring of blood pressure with Esperto

03.09.2024

Blood pressure monitoring technology is evolving rapidly, with various non-invasive methods available on the market. But many of the existing devices measure relative changes in blood pressure rather than providing precise, absolute readings. The startup Esperto Medical uses resonance sonomanometry to deliver accurate, real-time blood pressure measurements.
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Image: Person standing at a sink, next to it is a walking aid equipped with a parking aid in the room; Copyright: Steets GmbH

Steets GmbH

STEETS: Mobile and safely on the move in the rehabilitation process

06.08.2024

In the rehabilitation process, it is important to get patients mobile again as safely and effectively as possible. Walking aids are often used to regain mobility, but these are also associated with a risk of injury from tripping or falls due to equipment issues. The STEETS support can make the use of walking aids safer.
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Image: Simplified model of the low-field magnetic resonance tomograph; Copyright: Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics

Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics

Cost-efficient MRI diagnostics for the Global South

10.07.2024

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics have developed a new method for cost-efficient medical imaging. This method combines low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with hyperpolarization and artificial intelligence to improve image quality.
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Image: A person at the left edge of the picture looks at monitors displaying radiological image data from CT and MRI; Copyright: Karin Kaiser/MHH

Karin Kaiser/MHH

Automated image analysis improves cancer diagnoses in pediatric radiology

03.07.2024

Hannover Medical School (MHH) is leading the RACOON-RESCUE project, which aims to open up new diagnostic possibilities for non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in children and adolescents with the help of automated image data analysis from CT and MRI. The project, led by Prof. Diane Renz, aims to determine disease stages more precisely and optimize therapy follow-up.
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Image: Laboratory procedure for the cryopreservation of ovarian tissue; Copyright: Alessandro Winkler University Hospital Bonn (UKB)

Alessandro Winkler University Hospital Bonn (UKB)

First successful birth after vitrification of ovarian tissue in Europe

12.06.2024

A team at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) has established a modern method for the cryopreservation of ovarian tissue known as vitrification. This technique is used to preserve fertility before cancer therapies.
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Image: Operating room with a robot with a C-arm for operations on the stretcher

Da Vinci SP system: the next generation of robotic-assisted surgery

06.06.2024

The introduction of the Da Vinci Single Port (SP) system enables the Mainz University Medical Center to expand its field of application for minimally invasive surgery in general surgery as well as visceral and transplant surgery. Robotic-assisted surgery improves medical practice through the use of state-of-the-art technology that enables more precise and less invasive procedures.
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Image: A medical sensor is attached to a clear T-connector of a ventilator; Copyright: Fraunhofer IPM

Fraunhofer IPM

Fluorescence sensor for measuring oxygen in breathing air

16.05.2024

The new sensor from Fraunhofer IPM measures the oxygen content in the air we breathe precisely and quickly, which significantly improves patient monitoring.
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Image: blue prototype for MRI-integrated proton therapy; Copyright: K. Lassig / UKD

K. Lassig / UKD

MRiPT technology: prototype for new approaches in cancer treatment

30.04.2024

MRI-integrated proton therapy (MRiPT) marks a significant advance in cancer treatment by increasing the precision of radiation treatment. In an interview with MEDICA.de, Prof. Aswin Hoffmann presents current technological challenges and highlights the potential benefits of real-time MRI imaging for proton therapy.
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The photo shows a hand holding a silver, tubular device which improves imaging and detecting gastrointestinal cancer; Copyright: J. Crowley

J. Crowley

Imaging device for early gastrointestinal cancer detection

01.03.2024

Gastrointestinal cancers (GCs) pose a significant health challenge worldwide, with early detection being crucial for effective treatment and improved survival rates. To address this need, scientists have developed a new imaging device aimed at enhancing the accuracy and accessibility of GC screening programs.
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Image: On the left, a man is sitting while wearing an exoskeleton. There is a woman talking to the man and trying to help him get up.

Mobile patient lifts enhance ICU patient recovery

15.02.2024

Discovering new methods to enhance the recovery process for ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients is crucial in improving their overall outcomes. A recent study conducted in Tokyo, Japan, sheds light on the efficacy of early mobilization, supported by mobile patient lifts, in facilitating patient recovery.
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Image: Two people talking about a brain tomography image

University of Birmingham develops diagnostic for traumatic brain injury

05.02.2024

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have unveiled an innovative diagnostic device for the rapid detection of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This groundbreaking technology employs a safe laser directed into the eye, offering a distinct approach to diagnosing TBI.
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Image: Cryo7 device for cold therapy in physiotherapy; Copyright: Zimmer MedizinSysteme GmbH

Zimmer MedizinSysteme GmbH

Cold therapy: a key to painless physiotherapy

15.12.2023

After an operation, many patients undergo rehabilitation with physiotherapy. However, they often suffer from severe pain, especially at the beginning, which can also impair movement sequences during physiotherapy. Cold therapy as a pre-treatment can alleviate the pain and improve the success of the therapy afterwards.
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A man in a suit is interviewed at a trade fair stand, one hand holds a MEDICA microphone; copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

Using magnetic waves to treat many ailments – Biomag Medical

13.11.2023

Electric current and magnetic waves have long been used to treat various illnesses. One of the pioneers of this method is the Czech company Biomag Medical. Their devices produce pulsating magnetic waves that can be used to treat the target region in the body more precisely. We took the opportunity at MEDICA 2023 to find out more about this technology in our video interview.
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Image: Follow-up examination: Professor Duncker checks whether the implanted device is working.; Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH

Karin Kaiser / MHH

New device against sudden cardiac death

10.11.2023

Hannover Heart Rhythm Center at MHH implants Germany's first innovative defibrillator with an electrode under the sternum.
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Image: Three men stand in the UCD Conway Institute; Copyright: Vincent Hoban, University College Dublin

Vincent Hoban, University College Dublin

World’s first commercial deployment of novel soft X-ray microscope

03.11.2023

SiriusXT Ltd, an Irish technology SME, announced the world’s first commercial deployment of the SXT-100, the company’s unique table-top Soft X-ray Microscope with applications in disease research and the drug discovery process, at the UCD Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research at University College Dublin.
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Image: Person lying on the stretcher of an MRI scanner while a doctor puts headphones on her head; Copyright: svitlanah

svitlanah

3-Tesla MRI Scanner: A Glimpse into the Future of Medical Technology

31.10.2023

With novel technology and the integration of artificial intelligence, a new MRI scanner promises to significantly improve medical imaging. The scanner is characterized by its high performance and enables a more precise analysis of image data by means of an AI functionality.
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Image: Fraunhofer IPA’s experimental hybrid operating theatre in Mannheim; Copyright: Fraunhofer IPA

Fraunhofer IPA

Research project DAIOR: Distributed artificial intelligence for the OR

10.10.2023

A research team of scientists has jointly launched the DAIOR project ("Distributed Artificial Intelligence for the Operating Room"). Within the framework of the project, the project partners are working on realizing the operating room (OR) of the future with help of artificial intelligence (AI) and robot assisted telemedicine.
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Image: Miniature defibrillator

CellAED

CellAED: a success story that started at MEDICA

02.10.2023

When the Australian company Rapid Response Revival Research Limited (RRR) came to MEDICA for the first time, they were still a start-up with a prototype. In 2023, they are returning with a full-grown product that has sold 10,000 units in less than a year. Their CellAED is a miniature automated defibrillator that can be kept close in case sudden cardiac arrest occurs somewhere.
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Image: A blue 3d printed wrist splint on a hand; Copyright: Courtesy of Faraz Faruqi and Stefanie Mueller

Courtesy of Faraz Faruqi and Stefanie Mueller

AI-driven tool to personalize 3D-printable models

20.09.2023

MIT researchers developed a generative-AI-driven tool that enables the user to add custom design elements to 3D models without compromising the functionality of the fabricated objects. A designer could utilize this tool, called Style2Fab, to personalize 3D models of objects using only natural language prompts to describe their desired design.
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Image: Jonathan Holzman and Alexis Guidi are exploring the potential of terahertz radiation to improve the quality of medical diagnostic imaging; Copyright: UBC Okanagan

UBC Okanagan

Riding a wave to better medical diagnosis

18.08.2023

New UBC Okanagan research takes aim at improving diagnostic imaging
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Image: A patient is wheeled into a CT scanner. The patient smiles; Copyright: AZ-BLT

AZ-BLT

New imaging technology for a quick look inside a human being

04.08.2023

Physicists at the University of Würzburg have succeeded in making a new imaging technique ready for use on humans. Radioactive markers and radiation are not necessary for this.
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Image: A woman in a pink dress, Franziska Mathis-Ullrich, poses next to a surgical robot; Copyright: FAU/Georg Pöhlein

FAU/Georg Pöhlein

FAU: research project about robotic assistance systems receives funding

03.08.2023

In the “ForNeRo – Seamless and Ergonomic Integration of Robotics into the Clinical Workflow” research network, researchers from FAU and five other research institutions and five companies are developing methods for integrating robotic assistance systems for surgical applications using intuitive interfaces in the operating room.
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Image: A woman with dark hair and a white coat sits in a laboratory and smiles at the camera; Copyright: Alex Dolce, Florida Atlantic University

Alex Dolce, Florida Atlantic University

Sickle cell disease: portable tool for diagnosis, monitoring receives U.S. patent

30.06.2023

Using microfluidics, flow cytometry and electrical impedance, Sarah Du recently received a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a novel invention that will offer patients a better way to manage their disease.
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Image: Illustration of an evolutionary development from a natural pangolin to an pangolin-inspired robot; Copyright: MPI-IS

MPI-IS

Medical robot inspired by the pangolin

26.06.2023

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart have developed a magnetically controlled soft medical robot with a unique, flexible structure inspired by the body of a pangolin. The robot is freely movable despite built-in hard metal components.
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Image: Javier Andrés and José Antonio pose at a railing in front of a large glass structure building; Copyright: Asociación RUVID

Asociación RUVID

New patent: uterine manipulator that improves gynaecological surgery

22.06.2023

Researchers from the Biomechanics and Ergonomics research group of the Universitat Jaume I, the Abdomino-Pelvic Oncology Surgery Referral Unit (UR-COAP) of the General University Hospital of Castelló and the Fisabio Foundation have developed an atraumatic uterine manipulator for minimally invasive gynaecological surgery.
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Image: Multidimensional brain scan on a screen. In the background is an MRI room; Copyright: MedUni Wien

MedUni Wien

MRI imaging method without the need of radioactive substances

09.05.2023

Metabolic disorders play a central role in many common conditions, including Alzheimer's, depression, diabetes and cancer, which call for reliable as well as non-invasive diagnostic procedures.
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Image: Graphic with the headline “Nanoreactors” that show the structure of a bead with annotations; Copyright: BLINK DX

BLINK DX

BLINK DX: revolutionizing digital PCR

11.04.2023

The polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, plays a major role both in the diagnosis of infectious diseases and in research. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the term has become widely known. At MEDICA 2022, the BLINK AG from Jena, Germany, presented the BLINK Beads, a technology that is bound to revolutionize the applications of PCR.
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Image: The polyurethane ceiling unit equipped with four radar modules; Copyright: Fraunhofer IZM

Fraunhofer IZM

Providing care when it is needed – Radar system recognizes and tracks people and objects

27.03.2023

The researchers of Fraunhofer IZM have integrated a miniature radar system into an LED ceiling light that can track and recognize movement patterns and locate people or objects in a room.
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Image: Two women in medical attire and a man in a plaid shirt pose for the camera in a laboratory; Copyright: Universidad de Barcelona

Universidad de Barcelona

Tool to diagnose and assess the severity of sarcopenia

20.03.2023

Sarcopenia is a degenerative disease characterised by a pathological decrease in muscle strength that particularly affects older people. Researchers at the University of Barcelona have developed a new tool to assess the presence and severity of this muscular deterioration.
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Image: Closeup of ultrasound examination of abdominal cavity, stomach and heart with sonography sensor; Copyright: Natabuena

Natabuena

Ultrasound method could lead to easier disease diagnosis in body tissue

17.03.2023

A new ultrasound method that can measure the level of tension in human tissue for the first time - a key indicator of disease - has been developed by researchers from the University of Sheffield.
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Image: Virtual 3D illustration showing robotic arms operating on a brain; Copyright: Petra Ritter/BIH

Petra Ritter/BIH

European test infrastructure for AI and robotics in healthcare

09.03.2023

The Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut (HHI) is part of the EU project TEF-Health (Testing and Experimentation Facility for Health AI and Robotics), which aims to establish a test infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in healthcare.
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Product design in medical technology

07.03.2023

Good design not only pleases the eye or the hand. It also guarantees intuitive and safe use and a long service life. Especially in medical technology, this can make a big difference – for staff as well as patients. Medical designers are therefore in great demand. At MEDICA 2022, we talked to two of them about their profession.
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Image: A surgeon checking the surgical procedure again on a monitor; Copyright: svitlanah

svitlanah

HEARO cochlear implantation – microsurgery via robot

27.02.2023

Until now, robots have assisted surgeons in the operating room to enhance their capabilities. CASCINATION is a Swiss medical device company who has teamed up with MED-EL – the Innsbruck-based hearing implant company – to develop a system that can perform an autonomous cochlear implantation. Since then, HEARO has been successfully used – including at the Medical University of Vienna (MedUniWien).
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Image: A man with beard in a blue shirt, Michael Schutz, professor of music cognition and percussion, smiles for the camera; Copyright: McMaster University

McMaster University

Redesigned medical alarms can better alert staff, improve patient experience

24.02.2023

Changing the tune of hospital medical devices could improve public health, according to researchers at McMaster University and Vanderbilt University.
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Image: A man in a blue suit during a demonstration of a massage robot in a clinic workshop room; Copyright: Nanyang Technological University

Nanyang Technological University

AI-powered massage robot to start product evaluation in the US, clinical trial in Singapore

20.02.2023

Singapore robotics firm AiTreat will be embarking on a new product evaluation in the United States for their massage robot powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Mayo Clinic, USA.
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Image: The use of sound waves to create a pressure field to print particles; Copyright: Kai Melde, MPI für medizinische Forschung

Kai Melde, MPI für medizinische Forschung

Creating 3D objects with sound

17.02.2023

Scientists from the Micro, Nano and Molecular Systems Lab at the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research and the Institute for Molecular Systems Engineering and Advanced Materials at Heidelberg University have created a new technology to assemble matter in 3D.
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Laboratory: how smart gadgets support everyday work

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.
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Together for the newest technology – Highlight tour at the Fraunhofer joint stand

15.11.2022

Several Fraunhofer institutes present their latest technology in the field of medical technology and health at MEDICA 2022. Automation processes, polymers and digital networking are just some of the topics to be found at the stand. We talked to some of the institutes during our highlight tour.
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Image: Entrance area of Messe Düsseldorf,

Messe Düsseldorf / ctillmann

MEDICA 2022: Where Healthcare is going

03.11.2022

The time has come: MEDICA 2022 opens its doors! Whether start-ups, current research results from sports medicine or exciting contributions from the laboratories of this world - you will find all of this bundled at the trade fair center in Düsseldorf from November 14 to 17. For a brief overview of what visitors can expect in our forums and conferences, see our Topic of the Month.
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Image: The arms of an endoscope; Copyright: Madeleine Waltner

Madeleine Waltner

Actuators, sensors, controllers: The robot-assisted flexible endoscope combines all three

04.10.2022

The rise of robotics in medicine will result in more applications in this sector in the future. This necessitates the design of robotic systems that meet the requirements for the respective medical implementation. Scientists at the Institute of Medical Device Technology at the University of Stuttgart are developing the systems, components, sensors, and control technology to meet this demand.
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Image: A flexible endoscope being prepared for a treatment; Copyright: GabiStock

GabiStock

Body follows head: Bridging the gap between rigid and flexible endoscopes

04.10.2022

A successful endoscopic intervention hinges on two key factors: the endoscope must have excellent maneuverability and high structural rigidity. Unfortunately, today's devices cannot meet both requirements at the same time. Tim-Lukas Habich wants to change that by bridging the gap between flexible and rigid robots.
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Image: A medical professional places their hands on a table and holds a stethoscope. One of their hands is a myoelectric prosthesis; Copyright: LightFieldStudios

LightFieldStudios

Smart surgery, endoscopy, robotics: rethought and optimized for the times

04.10.2022

Overall technical progress does not stop at the operating rooms of this world. Whether it's completely new ideas or robotic optimizations of classic methods – research teams are coming up with contemporary answers to long-standing questions using the diverse possibilities of the present day.
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Image: 3D rendering of an operating room with C-arm and robotic-assisted surgery system; Copyright: tridsanu

tridsanu

Accessing the surgical area: Digitization is coming to the OR

01.10.2022

Innovative medical technology is driving the digitization of healthcare institutions and is opening a world of possibilities. This is especially the case for minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery.
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Image: Animation of a hospital room with ceiling supply unit and LED lighting; Copyright: Dräger Medical Deutschland GmbH

Dräger Medical Deutschland GmbH

Healing Environment: thoughtful design improves patient care

01.07.2022

Most people would not immediately consider hospitals places that create a "feel-good atmosphere". And yet, the environment plays a key role in a patient’s healing process and recovery. As a leading medical and safety technology product manufacturer, Dräger Medical Deutschland GmbH knows how to create a design that blends function with comfort.
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Image: A man is standing inside a cube with three walls where a virtual game is projected and is touching a point at the wall; Copyright: ZHAW Departement Gesundheit, Bewegungslabor

ZHAW Departement Gesundheit, Bewegungslabor

Rehabilitation after sports injury: Gamification of exercises in the ExerCube

01.06.2022

Returning to a sport after injury can be demanding and arduous as athletes often need to undergo lengthy rehabilitation. Yet even after they have physically recovered from their injury, some may experience mental issues that can make it difficult to return to play and competition. Exercises that combine physical and mental training and challenges in a game setting can be an effective solution.
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Image: A disposable microneedle patch is presented: Copyright: Laboratory for Nanobioelectronics / UC San Diego

Laboratory for Nanobioelectronics / UC San Diego

Multi-tasking wearable continuously monitors glucose, alcohol, and lactate

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.
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Image: Patient having a throat examination performed by the remote-controlled robot; Copyright: TU Munich

TUM

Telediagnostic solutions: expert exams with no physical contact

01.04.2022

Applications of telemedicine surged in popularity in efforts to reduce the COVID-19 infection risk for both medical professionals and patients. Unfortunately, the services typically lack a proper diagnostic option.
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Image: A normothermic perfusion machine; Copyright: Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin

Machine Perfusion: Increasing the Safety of Marginal Organ Transplants

03.01.2022

The shortage of donor organs is a major global issue. An aging population, a reluctance towards organ donation, and logistical challenges related to organ shipping play an important role in this setting. Machine perfusion can be a way to expand and preserve the donor pool for eligible transplant recipients.
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Clear signals in uncertain times – Zimmer MedizinSysteme GmbH

18.11.2021

The Corona pandemic has put the brakes on the medical industry worldwide through logistic problems and contact restrictions. But despite the crisis, opportunities are still created and companies are still able to develop. We learn more about this at the stand of Zimmer MedizinSysteme at MEDICA 2021.
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The colors of MEDICA 2021

18.11.2021

2020 MEDICA could only take place online, 2021 it returned as an on-site event to the trade fair halls. At four days, visitors could finally experience numerous new technologies and ideas from areas like health-IT, robotics, laboratory medicine, imaging, surgery or physiotherapy and orthopaedic technology again. See our most beautiful impressions of MEDICA 2021 here!
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Hybrid rehabilitation – Interview with Titanis Sp. z o.o.

18.11.2021

Many people have delayed necessary therapies during the Corona pandemic, also in rehabilitation. But a regular treatment is especially important here to recover lost abilities and maintain existing ones. Hybrid, digital products that connect therapists and patients online can help. We learn more about this at MEDICA 2021 at the stand of Titanis Sp. z o.o.
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Ventilation in the ICU - Treatment of COVID patients

16.11.2021

In situations such as a pandemic, intensive care medicine is challenged as rarely before. In particular, the technical requirements must be right in order to treat intensive care patients as effectively and efficiently as possible. At MEDICA 2021, we will learn what has happened in the industry during the pandemic and where the journey is headed.
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Image: Platzhalter; Copyright: beta-web/Reck

Sports medicine & physiotherapy: from training equipment to playful rehabilitation

16.11.2021

Sports medicine and physiotherapy involve many different types of equipment - from cardiovascular training to joint mobilization and playful rehabilitation. You can get an insight into the different products in our photo gallery from MEDICA 2021.
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Image: Operating table by JW Holdings Corporation; Copyright: beta-web/Molinari

OR equipment at MEDICA 2021: from operating tables to virtual reality

15.11.2021

Operating room equipment is not limited to operating tables and surgical lights, but also includes monitors and virtual reality. All this and much more awaits visitors at this year's MEDICA. You can get an insight into the various products here.
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MEDICA and COMPAMED 2021: Relaunch as hybrid events

12.11.2021

In 2020, MEDICA and COMPAMED took place as pure online events due to the corona pandemic. In 2021, the fairs will be arranged as hybrid events: on-site in Düsseldorf and complemented with additional online services. We talked to Christian Grosser, Project Director Health & Medical Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf, about this relaunch.
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Image: Professor Dr. Danny Jonigk and Christopher Werlein; Copyright: Karin Kaiser / MHH

Karin Kaiser / MHH

New X-ray technique shows vascular damage in intact COVID-19 lungs for first time

05.11.2021

When the coronavirus enters the lung, it causes massive tissue damage. Now, an international research team has been able to demonstrate for the first time, using a highly innovative X-ray technique in a non-destructive manner, that severe COVID-19 causes massive remodelling of the finest blood vessels by causing normally separate blood systems to join together with unusual frequency.
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Image: a robot arm transporting a petri dish; Copyright: PantherMedia / angellodeco

PantherMedia / angellodeco

The smart lab: The shift to more digitization is picking up speed

01.10.2021

They have probably never been in the spotlight as much as during the pandemic: laboratories. In Germany alone, around 73 million COVID-19-tests have been evaluated since the beginning of 2020. And even away from Corona, laboratory physicians have a lot to do – blood, urine and aspirates have to be evaluated every day. That results in an enormous amount of work, just in terms of organization.
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Image: The KUKA robot sorts blood samples according to the color of their cap; Copyright: LT Automation

Image: The KUKA robot sorts blood samples according to the color of their cap; Copyright: LT Automation

Fast, accurate, automatic: Simplifying workflows with laboratory robots

01.10.2021

Unpacking and sorting of blood samples from general practitioners is a monotonous and time-consuming task. The Aalborg University Hospital has now automated the process: Up to 3000 blood samples every day are unpacked and sorted by two lab robots provided by LT Automation. Furthermore, the samples are temperature monitored and tracked, using the Intelligent Transport Boxes.
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Image: a robot arm holding a small glass; Copyright: PantherMedia / Bork

PantherMedia / Bork

The smart lab: Between manual work and digitization

01.10.2021

In the laboratory, there is some work that is time-consuming and monotonous – making it the perfect place for digital solutions such as artificial intelligence or robotics. But what work can these systems really take on in a meaningful way, in which areas of the lab are they present today, and where do they still need to be improved?
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Image: Portable genomics device; Copyright: Philippine Genome Center Mindanao

Philippine Genome Center Mindanao

SARS-CoV-2: portable sequencing platform for developing countries

02.09.2021

Philippine Genome Center Mindanao (PGC Mindanao) has partnered with Accessible Genomics, a group of volunteering scientists from all around the world to implement a low start-up cost genomic sequencing platform for laboratories in developing countries.
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Image: Blood vessels and nerve tracts of a mouse; Copyright: Helmholtz Zentrum München

SWIR Imaging: The Power of Multi-Color Real-Time Technology

02.08.2021

Image-guided surgery is based on medical imaging. However, past imaging technologies performed while the patient is awake cannot deliver a complete view that facilitates a visual differentiation of structures such as blood vessels and nerve tracts. In a study, scientists developed a non-invasive imaging modality that enables multiplexing, deep tissue penetration, and real-time resolution.
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Image: a cardiac catheter robot in an OR; Copyright: Universitätsklinikum Freiburg 2021

Universitätsklinikum Freiburg 2021

Bringing stents precisely to their destination with cardiac catheter robots

02.08.2021

Robots in the operating theatre are no longer a rarity in certain medical fields - they support and relieve doctors and sometimes they can make operations more efficient and easier with artificial intelligence (AI). However, they are rarely found in the operating theatre during cardiological interventions.
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Image: A young boy is sitting in front of a computer, looking at a 3D scan of his head; Copyright: Artec 3D

Orthopedic technology: 3D scanners change the industry

01.07.2021

Orthopedic technology involves taking a measurement of a specific body part and then creating a medical device, be it prosthesis or orthosis, that fits. While optical scanners are already used for some of these measurements, others are still performed through manual labor and craft to create molds of the body. 3D scanners are changing this.
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Image: A young man holding a rapid test for the Corona virus in one hand; Copyright: PantherMedia/Patrick Daxenbichler

PantherMedia/Patrick Daxenbichler

Research finds ways to improve accuracy of Lateral Flow Tests

24.06.2021

Research published in the journal ACS Materials and Interfaces has provided new understanding of how false-negative results in Lateral Flow Tests occur and provides opportunity for simple improvements to be made.
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Image: A swab is lying across a sample vial; Copyright: PantherMedia/fotoquique

Point-of-care tests: rapid diagnosis in emergency situations

01.06.2021

In emergency medicine, a faster diagnosis leads to a faster treatment of the patient. Point-of-care test solutions can provide immediate on-site insights into the patient’s condition. COVID-19 adds another dimension: the devices can provide a level of security and safety – one that goes beyond intensive care.
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Image: An emergency physician is measuring the blood pressure of an injured boy on a stretcher; Copyright: PantherMedia/Arne Trautmann

Emergency medicine: point-of-care diagnostic at the deployment site

01.06.2021

The sooner diagnosis can be made during an emergency, the faster the patient receives help. While most diagnostics still take place at the hospital, emergency physicians use more and more mobile devices directly at the deployment site. This is how they can save precious time. We take a look at some point-of-care applications in our Topic of the Month.
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Image: a man and a roboter in the theatre; Copyright: PantherMedia/ekkasit919

PantherMedia/ekkasit919

Exploring possible applications of robotic surgery

09.03.2021

Robotics has been gaining importance in many areas of life for years, not least in medicine. Robots are already being used in the operating room today, but they do not always play the leading role – a circumstance that will certainly change in the long term.
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Image: Rescue team in action; Copyright: PantherMedia/HayDmitriy

PantherMedia/HayDmitriy

Mobile and intelligent – emergency blood analysis

08.03.2021

Things need to move fast in an emergency. Making the right call in this setting can be a challenge for emergency medical services – especially when symptoms are ambiguous, which is the case if a patient has difficulty breathing or exhibits a cardiovascular or poisoning emergency. A blood analysis is paramount to deliver a fast and accurate diagnosis. This is where mobOx comes in.
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Image: a woman wearing a wearable EEG that looks like a headband; Copyright: Evercot AI GmbH

Evercot AI GmbH

Good connection: AI and EEG work hand in hand

17.02.2021

Artificial intelligences (AI) are able to help medical professionals detect diseases. This is based on medical data records from which the AI can draw conclusions about diseases. These conclusions are most accurate when the extraction of the data sets is directly linked to the processing.
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Image: A hospital employee is cleaning an endoscope; Copyright: PantherMedia/sielemann

PantherMedia/sielemann

Medical devices: hygienic design combats pathogens

03.02.2021

Medical hygiene does not just play a key role during the COVID-19 pandemic. Preventing the transmission of infectious diseases and especially the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms is paramount even in non-pandemic times. While hygiene practices in hospitals and medical offices are essential, the industry can also make an important contribution with hygienic product design.
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Image: Prototype of the airlock; Copyright: Fraunhofer IBP

Fraunhofer IBP

Covid-19: protective canopy prevents infection

19.01.2021

The risk of infection with SARS-CoV-2 is particularly high indoors. This is because, in addition to smear and droplet infection, infection via aerosols that accumulate and spread in the air is also possible there. Sufficient air exchange or air purification help to prevent this. The protective canopy developed by Fraunhofer IBP also follows such an approach.
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Image: young man in profile looking at his smartphone laughing; Copyright: PantherMedia/yacobchuk1

mHealth for asthma: Help me manage it myself!

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.
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Green Hospital - Sustainability at the University Hospital Bonn

16.12.2020

Large hospital complexes such as the University Hospital Bonn can save millions when they implement well thought-out energy-saving measures. Michael Körber reports how the UKB is already implementing this with the help of combined heat and power units and a comprehensive sustainability concept. Manuel Merges describes how these projects were also possible with the help of external financing.
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Image: Laboratory robot Kevin; Copyright: Fraunhofer IPA

Fraunhofer IPA

Alone in the lab – robot Kevin relieves the staff

08.12.2020

If Kevin was alone in the lab at night, the next morning, the workers will not find chaos, but labeled tubes and prepared samples. Kevin is a laboratory robot developed by Fraunhofer IPA to relieve the strain on laboratory workers so that they can concentrate on the essentials: research and diagnostics.
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Image: Illustrations of various 3D-printed prostheses, implants and organs; Copyright: PantherMedia/annyart

Printed life – possibilities and limits of bioprinting

01.12.2020

Implants, prostheses and various other components made of plastic, metal or ceramics are already being produced by additive manufacturing. But skin, blood vessels or entire organs from the printer – is that possible? For years now, intensive research has been underway into the production of biologically functional tissue using printing processes. Some things are already possible with bioprinting.
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mHealth for cardiology – CardioSecur helps from a distance

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.
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Image: Symbols from everyday hospital life as digital images coming from a stethoscope; Copyright: PantherMedia/everythingposs

Smart Hospital: Digitally Connected Healthcare

01.10.2020

Every year, new technologies hit the market. They expand, update, and connect hospitals and healthcare facilities. But advancing digitization not only accelerates the speed of improvements, it also uncovers problem areas that must still be fixed.
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Smartlab – Robotics and automation in the laboratory

15.09.2020

Some tasks in the laboratory are repetitive, need to be done extremely precise and require a lot of time. Such tasks are very tedious for humans, but they are tailor-made for robots. Such is the case with the "AutoCRAT" project at the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT in Aachen. Here, a robotic platform is developed to produce stem cells for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
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Image: Montage of a wrist with an alarm button next to the floor plan of a hospital; Copyright: cibX GmbH

cibX GmbH

IoT in hospitals: keeping track of every zone

08.09.2020

In a time of pandemic, the emergency departments of most hospitals are under intense pressure. Processes can get mixed up, while some systems are stretched to the breaking point. It is easy to lose track of patients, medical devices and rooms. This is where the cibX intelligent IoT solution comes in. Real-time localization and visualization enable safe and up-to-date process optimization.
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Image: View into an automated laboratory machine that stores a lot of vials; Copyright: PantherMedia/kagemusha

The smart networking laboratory: when connected devices become one system

01.09.2020

Diagnostics, biomedical research, screening active ingredient candidates - laboratories perform many functions and must be flexible. Growing and evolving healthcare demands mean labs have to process an increasing number of samples. Modern laboratory information management systems can already support high-throughput, but a smart laboratory environment can make things even more efficient.
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Image: A miniaturized, round sensor under a fingertip; Copyright: TU Dresden

SmartLab: all-in-one automation, digitalization, and miniaturization

01.09.2020

Laboratories have to analyze and interpret an ever-increasing number of samples for research and diagnostic services, generating lots of data in the process. At the same time, labs are required to produce quality results and operate with speed. Processes that could once be managed using laboratory notebooks and isolated systems must become smart in the future to improve lab efficiency.
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Image: View into a device that automatically processes laboratory samples; Copyright: PantherMedia/Sonar

The laboratory 4.0: networked analyses

01.09.2020

There is likely no other branch of medicine where you can find as many high-tech devices as in modern laboratories. A major part of diagnostic and biomedical research is done here. A lot of individual steps in work processes need to be followed precisely to ensure the results’ quality. Also, a lot of data is generated here.
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Image: medical symbols around the earth in the hands of a person; Copyright: PantherMedia/everythingposs

PantherMedia/everythingposs

Israeli medical devices showcase digital innovations at MEDICA

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.
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Image: Application of AR sonography; Copyright: Fraunhofer IGD

Fraunhofer IGD

Augmented reality ultrasound: putting the focus on patients

10.08.2020

This is how a conventional ultrasound scan works: patients lie down on a table next to the ultrasound machine. A doctor uses a probe to scan the part of the body in question, while he or she looks at the pictures on a monitor. In other words, the physician either focuses on his/her hand on the patient or the monitor. The Fraunhofer IGD wants to change this process as part of the "sonAR" project.
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Image: Intensive care bed equipped with high-tech devices; Copyright: PantherMedia/sudok1

PantherMedia/sudok1

Balancing high-tech with humanity – digitization in the Intensive Care Unit

03.08.2020

No other hospital area features as much high-tech equipment as the intensive care unit. Each acute care hospital bed has four to ten devices that continuously monitor all patient vital signs and can replace nearly any organ. This creates big data that is often not used effectively. Yet it also holds promise and huge potential.
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Image: Monitoring monitor on the Intensive Care Unit; Copyright: PantherMedia/sudok1

PantherMedia/sudok1

In the Intensive Care Unit: smart solutions for better care

03.08.2020

In recent months, its central importance for the healthcare system has become more visible in the public eye due to the corona pandemic: the Intensive Care Unit. Patients who are in a critical condition due to illness, injury or surgery are cared for here by numerous high-tech devices. In addition, more digital solutions are being introduced.
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Image: Hands formed into a bowl holding a green hemisphere with buildings, wind turbines and solar panels; Copyright: PantherMedia/sellingpix

PantherMedia/sellingpix

Green Hospital: on the way to more sustainability

01.07.2020

In times of climate change, interest in ecological alternatives and solutions has grown in the health sector, too. However, for the complex organism of a hospital this sometimes poses a great challenge. How can energy be saved despite continuous operation? To what extent are hygiene standards and waste reduction compatible? And what costs are associated with the Green Hospital?
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Image: Shaking hands of two people, one of them wearing a doctor's coat, in front of wind turbines and solar panels in the sun; Copyright: PantherMedia/Wavebreakmedia (YAYMicro)

PantherMedia/Wavebreakmedia (YAYMicro)

Hospitals go green – helping patients and Mother Nature

01.07.2020

Each day, a hospital consumes as much energy as a small city. Medical facilities work around the clock to provide excellent patient care. Environmental protection tends to play a secondary role as high safety and hygiene standards seem to be incompatible with optimized resource utilization – but is that really the case? Green Hospitals prove that environmental sustainability is possible.
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Image: Person with VR glasses in a room; Copyright: EXXETA AG

EXXETA AG

Gamification: facilitating a gradual return-to-play

08.06.2020

Professional athletes depend on a speedy recovery from sports injuries or surgery because their livelihood depends on their physical fitness. Returning to competition too soon after injury can have negative health consequences. Standard tests are now combined with virtual reality to determine the optimal time to return to play.
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Image: Ambulance on the road; Copyright: PantherMedia / inhabitant

PantherMedia / inhabitant

Mobile stroke units: improved outcomes for ischemic stroke

02.06.2020

If someone is having a stroke, you call an ambulance. But getting to the hospital can be time-consuming. To prevent long-term disabilities and death, patients need to be treated as quickly as possible. According to a recent study by the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, mobile stroke units play a key role in this setting.
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Image: The new medical device Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI); Copyright: IBI

Molecular Imaging: fast and reliable stroke detection

02.06.2020

After a stroke, a patient’s life depends on getting acute care at a hospital. Vital monitoring systems ensure safe and effective treatment. An innovative tomographic imaging system is designed to help prevent the patient’s risky journey to radiology and to enable bedside monitoring of cerebral blood flow.
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Image: An older man lies on the ground and presses a hand to his head, his wife kneels next to him and calls an ambulance; Copyright: PantherMedia/AndrewLozovyi

PantherMedia/AndrewLozovyi

Stroke care: When every minute counts

02.06.2020

Stroke can affect anyone – older as well as younger people. The minutes after the stroke determine whether disability or death is the result. Only if acute care, inpatient treatment and rehabilitation are carried out in a targeted and effective manner, the chances are greater that only minor damage remains or that impairments even recede.
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Image: Transmission of medical data of an athlete to a laptop; Copyright: PantherMedia / Viktor Cap

PantherMedia / Viktor Cap

Sports medicine software: Monitoring at the push of a button

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.
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Image: View of a robot-mounted system from above; Copyright: panthermedia.net/wedmov

Robots in the Operating Room: Improving Training and Safety

04.05.2020

Surgical robots are transforming the operating room. They deliver many benefits but also present new challenges. That is why the efficient handling of robotic mechanisms must also be reflected in the respective training courses.
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Image: Robotic arm used for surgical operations; Copyright: panthermedia.net/markoaliaksandr

Innovative Robotic-Assisted Surgical Systems

04.05.2020

More compact, more flexibility, and more precision - these are the main characteristics developers strive for as they advance robotic-assisted surgical systems for the operating room. Several technology providers have already shown how it’s done, including the makers of the popular daVinci Surgical System. Yet for robotic-assisted systems, the sky is the limit.
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Image: Surgeon sitting at a robot-assisted operating system; Copyright: panthermedia.net/wedmov

Robotic-Assisted Surgery with the daVinci-System

04.05.2020

Robotic surgical systems are often used to perform minimally invasive procedures. The daVinci surgical system is still one of the market leaders and is especially well suited to perform prostatectomies, a surgical option for prostate cancer.
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Image: robotic system for assistance in surgery; Copyright: panthermedia.net/phonlamai

Robotics in the OR: Relieving the surgeon

04.05.2020

In the operating room, minimally invasive procedures are increasingly used. Robot-assisted systems are a great help for the surgeon. They support the surgeon and are extremely precise. Through innovative research approaches, robotic systems are constantly evolving.
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In the intensive care unit: Together against COVID-19

27.04.2020

The coronavirus is pushing healthcare systems worldwide to their limits. The number of infections continues to rise – and with it the number of people who need intensive medical treatment and artificial respiration. However, the number of ventilators is limited. Solutions to support intensive care units are needed – quickly. We have taken a closer look at some of them.
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Image: Smiling man is standing in nature with one had at his ear; Copyright: panthermedia.net/cristalov

panthermedia.net/cristalov

In-ear sensors for monitoring vital parameters

22.04.2020

Wearables offer practical solutions for the flexible measurement of data. The sensor from cosinuss° is worn directly in the ear and offers a precise monitoring of vital parameters.
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Image: young woman makes an ultrasound with the new system and shows patient the image on her smartphone; Copyright: Universitätsklinikum Bonn

Universitätsklinikum Bonn

Ultrasound to go: versatile partner on hospital rounds

08.04.2020

The University Hospital Bonn has recently introduced an ultrasound device that's small enough to fit in your coat pocket. It's ready to use once you have connected it to a tablet or smartphone. The portable system makes bedside physical exams possible. The device primarily benefits students as it allows them to combine basic knowledge and clinical application.
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Image: Microscope next to a screen showing pictures of bacteria cultures; Copyright: PantherMedia/shmeljov

Laboratory safety: infection prevention in the work area

01.04.2020

What goes in, must not come out - and must also not cause harm to anyone working inside the lab. That's perhaps a nice way of summing up "laboratory safety" in one sentence - at least wherever pathogens are handled in biological and medical settings. The necessary laboratory safety precautions primarily depend on what is waiting "inside".
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Image: UV Visual Lift; Copyright: by UVentions

by UVentions

Hygiene: Smart protection against pathogens like the coronavirus

23.03.2020

Germs such as bacteria, viruses or pathogenic fungi can spread from one person to another through direct contact when we shake hands or touch objects. People touch door handles and push elevator buttons in public places and constantly move in and out of spaces. Regular manual high-level disinfection is practically impossible. UVentions GmbH has found an intelligent solution for this problem.
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Image: A device with a large monitor and different control panels in a darkened laboratory; Copyright: Fraunhofer IPA – PAMB

Fraunhofer IPA – PAMB

Cardiovascular diseases: using AI to navigate the catheter

09.03.2020

Treatment of a heart attack or stroke caused by vascular occlusion must be prompt to prevent further damage to vital tissue. Unfortunately, the actual treatment is often preceded by a lengthy catheter-based procedure where the cardiologist manually guides the catheter to the affected vessel. AI might perform this task in the future.
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Image: man holding his finger to the smartphone camera; Copyright: FibriCheck

Smartphone app detects cardiac arrhythmia

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.
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Image: Man sitting next to an older woman wearing vr glasses on a couch; Copyright: panthermedia.net/draoscondreaw

panthermedia.net/draoscondreaw

Sensor-Based Smart Glove Enables Parkinson's Diagnosis

25.02.2020

Neurological disorders like Parkinson's are often diagnosed once the disease has already progressed to a later stage. The VAFES project was initiated to facilitate an early detection. Sensor technology and VR are used in the creation of a playful test system.
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Image: Endoscope capsule (left) next to an endoscope tube (right); Copyright: panthermedia.net/phonlamai

panthermedia.net/phonlamai

A new type of endoscopy – small, easy, comfortable

22.01.2020

Patients have to undergo a gastroscopy to rule out gastrointestinal conditions. Many dread this procedure since a thin, flexible tube is being pushed through the esophagus and stomach. Ovesco Endoscopy AG has teamed up with other project partners in the nuEndo research project to develop a capsule endoscopy device that is tiny, easy to swallow and makes the test more comfortable for the patient.
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Image: doctor consoles patients before surgery; Copyright: panthermedia.net/luckybusiness

Endoprosthetic surgery: modern and traditional approaches

01.01.2020

Surgery is required if you need an artificial joint. Patients and doctors must select the type of surgery that’s best suited and choose between robot-assisted, traditional or minimally invasive surgical approaches. Post-operative risks should be kept to a minimum, while benefits should outweigh any possible complications.
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Image: cemented artificial hip endoprostheses; Copyright: panthermedia.net/coddie

Endoprostheses: regaining independence and mobility

01.01.2020

Joints can suddenly or gradually deteriorate and lose their natural strength, whether it’s due to accidents, diseases or simple wear and tear. In some of these cases, implants of artificial joints – endoprostheses - can help. As a joint replacement, they are designed to stay in the body for as long as needed and as such improve the patient’s quality of life and mobility.
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Image: elderly woman with a tablet on her lap; Copyright: panthermedia.net/Lev Dolgachov

Ambient Assisted Living: sensors for seniors

02.12.2019

Our ageing society is confronted with fewer and fewer workers. One of the many consequences is a shortage of skilled nursing staff. Ambient Assisted Living should solve this problem. By equipping the living environment of elderly people or people in need of care with (technical) assistance systems, they are to be given more self-determination and security. The nursing staff also benefits.
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Image: white flat sensor module: the smart care plaster moio.care; Copyright: MOIO GmbH

Wearables: more freedom with the smart care patch

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.
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Image: several people standing around a bed with a stand-up function on which one person sits; Copyright: Ralf Lienert/Allgäuer Zeitung

AAL Living Lab: research, education and raising awareness

02.12.2019

Smart home systems are a perfect example of how technology can make our daily lives easier. The fact that they can use a tablet to adjust lighting and blinds in every room benefits older adults in more ways than one. These types of technical systems are a part of Ambient Assisted Living (AAL) and create a safe living environment for older persons.
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Image: elderly woman in a wheelchair showing a nurse something on a tablet; Copyright: panthermedia.net/mark@rocketclips.com

Smart care: safety and support thanks to AAL

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.
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Cyber security for medical devices - Practical help for manufacturers and users

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.
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Image: A little toy figure of a man in a suit is standing on a print-out of DNA sequencing; Copyright: panthermedia.net/filmfoto

MEDICA LABMED FORUM: full speed ahead for careers in laboratory medicine

04.11.2019

Laboratories are medicine’s secret weapon because they handle the lion’s share of diagnostics often without patients even realizing it. That’s why the continuing workforce shortage in both laboratory medicine and companies is especially troubling. The MEDICA LABMED FORUM 2019 plans to address and counteract this development.
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Medicine at the pulse of time: Innovations and trends at MEDICA 2019

04.11.2019

Soon, the world's largest trade fair for medical technology will open its doors again: More than 5.000 exhibitors will present their newest products and ideas at MEDICA from 18 to 21 November. You will not only meet well-known companies here, but also lots of young start-ups. Or, you can visit the MEDICA forums and conferences to experience a rich program of lectures and discussions.
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Image: Two screens with picture of the circulatory system in a catheter laboratory; Copyright: panthermedia.net/sudok1

MEDICA TECH FORUM: light-based imaging technique OCT

04.11.2019

Since its inception, MEDICA TECH FORUM has focused on the implementation of innovations and new technologies into clinical practice. 2019 marks the tenth year of the Forum. In honor of its anniversary, we will brighten things up a bit, as one of the focal points will highlight how optical coherence tomography (OCT) uses light to produce images.
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Image: Modern diabetes therapies; Copyright: beta-web GmbH

Digital and personalized diabetes management

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.
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Image: Volker Bruns; Copyright: Fraunhofer ISS

Fraunhofer ISS

AI software: "iSTIX opens your world to the possibilities of digital pathology"

08.10.2019

The healthcare market offers a multitude of microscopes that make cells visible to the human eye. The same applies to AI-based software for image analysis. After taking the microscopic images, scientist are faced with large volumes of scans with usually low resolution. Yet when all aspects merge together, they open up a the world of digital pathology.
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Image: MEDICA START-UP PARK; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann

MEDICA START-UP PARK: "For those, who want to experience the startup-spirit"

01.10.2019

When the halls of MEDICA are open to the world to showcase medical innovations, one joint exhibition booth is guaranteed to attract special attention - the MEDICA START-UP PARK. The startups that present their advances in this setting are interesting to visitors and investors, yet long-time exhibitors and big businesses can also benefit from building relationships with these young companies.
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Image: Functions of the bio-T plattform; Copyright: bio-T Medical

Medical IoT: fully realizing the potential of medical device data

01.10.2019

The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) plays an important role in monitoring patients in hospitals or performing measurements at home. Here medical devices are connected via cloud, where all patient measurement data are collected and analyzed. In the course of digitalization, the relevance of clouds in the medical sector is constantly increasing.
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Image: Wojcech Radomski; Copyright: StethoMe

Telemedicine: easy breathing with AI for respiratory tract

01.10.2019

Pneumonia, COPD or cystic fibrosis – people with such lung diseases have to consult their doctor regularly. Little children have to undergo certain measurements by the doctor, too. In order to save people`s need to visit a doctor, telemedicine offers many ways to do examinations at home.
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Image: Connection of medical devices; Copyright: panthermedia.net/everythingposs

MEDICA START-UP PARK 2019: Experience tomorrow's innovations today

01.10.2019

The medical market is booming - medical ideas and visions for the future are more in demand than ever. Especially at MEDICA START-UP PARK 2019 young founders want to present their product innovations. Develop business contacts, meet investors and experience an international environment in just one place. Discover in our Topic of the Month what makes MEDICA START-UP PARK unique.
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Image: A biker is riding on rocky ground in a steppe; Copyright: panthermedia.net/Daxiao Productions

panthermedia.net/Daxiao Productions

Triathlete Sebastian Kienle: wearables and body awareness improve athletic performance

09.09.2019

A 2.4-mile (3.86 km) swim, a 112-mile (180.25 km) bicycle ride and a marathon 26.22-mile (42.20 km) run – that’s the Ironman Triathlon. Triathletes like Sebastian Kienle are constantly working to push beyond their limits. At the 7th MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTS CONFERENCE on November 20 - 21, you can meet Kienle in person.
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Image: DLIR image of the aorta; Copyright: GE Healthcare

Deep Learning Image Reconstruction – what AI looks like in clinical routine

02.09.2019

Artificial intelligence is no longer a dream of the future in medicine. Many studies and initial application examples show that it sometimes achieves better results than human physicians. At Jena University Hospital, the work with AI is already lived practice. It is the first institution in the world to use algorithms in radiological routine to reconstruct CT images.
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Image: CT image of the lungs with AI-supported automatic highlighting, quantification and measurement of anatomy and deviations; Copyright: Klinikum Nürnberg

AI in radiology: reliable partner for diagnosing CT images

02.09.2019

More patients, more examinations, more CT images – in radiology there is too much work for too few physicians. CT scans are evaluated in the shortest possible time, which leads to anomalies being overlooked. Artificial intelligence, on the other hand, works with constant speed and performance, which is why radiological routine increasingly relies on its support.
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Image: Robot points with his finger at CT images of the brain, in the background a CT device; Copyright: panthermedia.net/phonlamai

Man vs. machine – the benefits of AI in imaging

02.09.2019

Radiology is a field that produces large volumes of data, which can no longer be managed without the help of intelligent systems. This is especially true when it comes to the interpretation of medical images. While this takes physicians years of training and experience, several hours of work and the highest level of concentration, AI only requires a few seconds to accomplish the same task.
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Image: Robot looks at huge amount of CT images of the brain; Copyright: panthermedia.net/phonlamai

AI in imaging: how machines manage our Big Data

02.09.2019

In modern medicine, especially in the field of imaging, huge amounts of data are produced – so much that radiologists can hardly keep up with diagnosing the images. Artificial Intelligence could be the solution to this problem. But how exactly can it help in this task? How can man and machine work together? And what else will be possible in the future with the support of intelligent systems?
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Image: Participants of the German Medical Award 2018; Copyright: German Medical Award

German Medical Award

German Medical Award 2019 celebrates the future of (patient) care

22.08.2019

The German Medical Award will take place on November 18, 2019, as part of the MEDICA trade fair in Düsseldorf. The ceremony emphasizes the commitment to excellence in cutting-edge care for patients. Doctors, clinical centers and companies in the medical and healthcare industry can demonstrate their achievements in medicine and management in hopes of receiving the coveted award.
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Sports medicine: Neuromuscular training for optimal performance

20.08.2019

Movement, strength and coordination - after injuries as well as in healthy athletes, these three components must be intact for movements to run smoothly. At the Beta Klinik in Bonn, Dr. Markus Klingenberg, a specialist in orthopaedics, trauma surgery and sports medicine, offers neuromuscular training with a playful character that can be adapted to the patient's needs.
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Training partner robot – This is the rehabilitation of the future

16.08.2019

In medicine, robots are already taking over tasks that only a few years ago were exclusively in human hands. Especially in the field of rehabilitation, they will play a major role in the future. In the "RoSylerNT" project of the German Sport University Cologne, a robot arm from KUKA is being used here for training purposes. Find out why a robot is the right training partner!
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Image: Two petri dishes with different kinds of agar plates on which bacterial cultures are growing; Copyright: panthermedia.net/photographee.eu

Antibiotic resistance: technical tricks against pathogens

01.08.2019

An untreatable infection is a nightmare for physicians and potentially life-threatening to the patient. Unfortunately, more and more pathogens emerge that are resistant to drugs, especially antibiotics. We need to use our drugs smartly and come up with technical solutions as well to prevent our weapons from blunting in the future.
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Image: High jump of an athlete; Copyright: panthermedia.net/Moodbaord

Training and rehabilitation: fit thanks to hover technology

01.07.2019

Amateur and professional athletes are susceptible to sports injuries, balance disorders or deficits in motor function and posture. Prevention and the right training can help avoid these incidents, while targeted therapy can support a return to sports after an injury.
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Image: Marathon runner; Copyright: panthermedia.net/adamgregor

Sports medicine – keep moving to stay healthy

01.07.2019

Physical activity plays a big role in today's society. Whether you are an amateur or professional athlete – incorporating exercise into your life positively impacts your mental and physical health. Ideally, sport should be fun, pressure-free and not overburden you. But can you measure individual performance and align it with sports?
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Image: Cyclist; Copyright: panthermedia.net/rcaucino

Performance diagnostics: success in sports – testing the limits of performance

01.07.2019

Stationary or mobile - competitive athletes rely on regular health assessments. They must deliver peak performance and be physically fit during competitions. But when do they reach their physical limits? Are there any devices that provide information, no matter where the test subject is located?
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Image: Sports shoes of an athlete; Copyright: panthermedia.net/ Daxiao_Productions

Sports medicine - performance values in best health

01.07.2019

Those who integrate physical activities into their own lifestyle live healthier and more balanced. But where are the physical limits? Can health status measurements also be carried out on the road? Discover more about how sports medical examinations contribute to maintain performance and minimize health risks in our Topic of the Month.
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Functional Imaging: The puls of modern oncology

17.06.2019

Medical imaging techniques have developed considerably in recent decades. In addition to morphological imaging techniques more and more functional imaging techniques are used in oncology that can continously record the functions of specific organs locally and regionally in real time. These are groundbreaking for diagnostics, therapies and preoperative preparations.
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Shock wave therapy: Personalized treatment in orthopedic everyday-life

04.06.2019

Tendinitis, myofascial pain syndromes or fractures - shock wave therapy is a noninvasive method with no side effects that promises relief. The intensity of the shock waves can be customized to meet patients’ needs and yields fast positive results. In addition to advising doctor’s offices, clinical facilities, and universities, Kröner Medizintechnik GmbH also offers treatment, support, and care.
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Image: Boy with robotic gait trainer on treadmill; Copyright: panthermedia.net/olesiabilkei

Robotics – rehab with motors and sensors

03.06.2019

They work with power, precision and tirelessly. This makes robots an ideal instrument for rehabilitation. In gait or motor training, movement sequences must be repeated thousands of times so that they can be learnt anew. What tires the patient and costs the therapist's time can easily be managed by robot-assisted systems. Learn more about the possibilities of robotics in rehabilitation.
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Image: Woman uses robot arm to grab something on the table; Copyright: RWTH Aachen/RPE & inRehaRob

Of exoskeletons and service robots – the future of rehabilitation

03.06.2019

For most people, enjoying a good quality of life means having the ability to move freely, safely and independently. Intensive and costly rehabilitation is needed if this is no longer an option after a stroke for example. We are introducing some projects that deliver innovative robotic solutions.
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Image: triangular table at which three patients do various robotic rehabilitation exercises; Copyright: Hocoma, Switzerland

Walking is an issue of mind over matter – how robots assist rehabilitation

03.06.2019

Humans are living longer than ever but still want to continue to live independently as they age. Meanwhile, our motor and cognitive abilities decline as we age, sometimes as the effects of a stroke. The number of people in need of long-term care is growing at breakneck speed. At the same time, fewer and fewer young people choose stressful careers as caregivers.
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Image: Boy uses robot arm in front of a monitor with computer game, next to it stands the therapist; Copyright: Helios Klinik Hattingen

Rehab with a robot – robot-assisted therapy in neurology

03.06.2019

It takes consistent repetitions if rehab patients want to relearn skills after surviving a stroke. This requires extreme effort. The industrial sector uses robots to perform repetitive tasks or handle jobs that require strength. What has been a fixture in factories for decades is now also making its way into rehabilitation facilities.
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Image: Wrist with smartwatch, which measures the pulse rate; Copyright: panthermedia.net / Lev Dolgachov

panthermedia.net / Lev Dolgachov

mHealth: Atrial fibrillation detection – App supports heart health

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.
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Image: Preview picture of video

RAS-Q - Mobile blood gas exchange for COPD patients

23.04.2019

According to WHO, about 251 million people worldwide had Chronic Obstructive Pumonary Disease in 2016. COPD denotes not a single, but several diseases that are caused by smoking and air pollution, among others. Patients at a later disease stage often need ventilation and are thus bound to the location of their devices.
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Image: CT scan open; Copyright: panthermedia.net/SimpleFoto

Functional imaging: a look at the command center

01.04.2019

All information from our body and the environment converges in our brain and is transformed into reactions in milliseconds. It is essential for medicine and research to know what our switching centre looks like. Functional methods are used to observe it more closely during work.
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Image: Patient during an fMRI examination; Copyright: panthermedia.net/Chris De Silver

Functional imaging: what makes the brain tick?

01.04.2019

Our brain is the command center of our body. This is where all information and impressions are collected and converted into responses and movements. Modern imaging techniques offer physicians and researchers unique insights into the actions of the human central nervous system. The functional imaging technique allows them to watch our brain in action.
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Image: Man during CT examination; Copyright: panthermedia.nt/Romaset

Stroke: 4D brain perfusion accelerates treatment

01.04.2019

In an ischaemic stroke, rapid treatment is essential. In this moment good imaging data is particularly important to enable doctors to make the best possible decision for therapy. Modern CT scanners are increasingly being used to assess stroke patients because they can show the blood flow to the brain over time.
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Image: close-up of a woman lying in an MRI device; Copyright: panthermedia.net/Craig Robinson

Brain mapping: preoperative planning with functional MRI

01.04.2019

A surgery already begins before the patient is lying on the operating table – namely with the planning. For example, if brain surgery is imminent, the brain must first be mapped. This makes the activity level of certain brain areas visible. Functional magnetic resonance imaging makes this possible.
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Image: Dosage inhaler and stethoscope in front of a shelf; Copyright: panthermedia.net/liudmilachernetska@gmail.com

React early, breathe free – comprehensive COPD management

01.03.2019

COPD is considered the third most common cause of death worldwide and mainly affects smokers. It is not curable, but with the right combination of early diagnosis, therapy and self-management, a significant part of the quality of life can be regained. The comprehensive care is supported by various devices and technical tools. Learn more about the all-round care of COPD in our Topic of the Month.
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Image: Lung monitoring of a patient with PulmoVista 500 by Draeger; Copyright: Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA

Restoring Pulmonary Function

01.03.2019

People suffering from lung disease temporarily need ventilator support because they are unable to breathe naturally. Mechanical ventilation is designed to ensure the survival of these patients. The goal is to adapt the ventilator settings and tailor them the patient's specific needs and prevent lung tissue damage.
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Image: senior coughing man with cigarette; Copyright: panthermedia.net/ljsphotography

All-round care for COPD: diagnosis, treatment, self-management

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.
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Picture: Woman sleeping sideways in bed with a breathing mask; Copyright: Philips GmbH

Comprehensive Treatment: It’s All About Breathing

01.03.2019

Coughing, airway obstruction, difficulty breathing: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term used to describe progressive and currently incurable lung diseases. The innovative solutions of Philips Respironics help patients to manage each stage of the disease and their medication intake, train the respiratory system and provide respiratory support.
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Image: Preemie doll with drug delivery system on the nose; Copyright: Fraunhofer ITEM/Till Holland

Fraunhofer ITEM/Till Holland

Gentle medication for the little ones – with every breath

22.02.2019

According to the WHO, ten percent of babies worldwide are born prematurely. Since most organs of these tiny babies have not fully developed yet, it can quickly lead to complications and disorders and most notably affect the lungs of the premature infants. What's more, infections require gentle treatment, as the preemies themselves are fragile and susceptible – making this a challenging situation.
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Photo: Preview picture of video

Where imaging and radiation meet – Radiotherapy with the MR-Linac

13.02.2019

In conventional radiotherapy, the tumor is first localized using CT and MRT images in order to calculate the irradiated areas. The major drawback in this case: the subsequent radiation only shows bone structures in the body but not the tumor itself. As a result, the radiated area is often larger than necessary. In our video you will learn how the MR-Linac can be used for more precise radiotherapy.
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Image: Cells in a Petri dish; Copyright: panthermedia.net / devserenco

Organ-on-a-chip - the mini organs of the future?

01.02.2019

So far in vitro methods and animal experiments have been used to determine the causes of diseases, research therapeutic approaches and predict the effect of drugs. Organ-on-a-chip models now offer a more accurate and ethically justifiable alternative. Find out more about the models, their advantages and future developments in our Topic of the Month.
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Image: Man and woman in a laboratory presenting a multi-organ chip; Copyright: TissUse GmbH

Multi-Organ Chips – The Patients of Tomorrow?

01.02.2019

The liver, nervous tissue or the intestines: all are important human organs that have in the past been tested for their function and compatibility using animal or in vitro test methods. In recent years, TissUse GmbH, a spin-off of the Technical University of Berlin (TU Berlin), has launched multi-organ chip platforms. But that’s not all.
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Image: Sock TelePark; Copyright: Marc Eisele, University Hospital Dresden

Marc Eisele, Universitätsklinikum Dresden

Better living thanks to telemedicine – "TelePark"- project targets patients with Parkinson’s disease

08.01.2019

Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that primarily affects movement of patients and makes their everyday lives very challenging. It also makes regular doctor appointments and treatment sessions necessary. "TelePark" - a project that collects different movement-related parameters using sensors and apps is designed to improve the quality of life for Parkinson’s patients.
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Image: Woman at the table operating a smartphone and surrounded by utensils for diabetes therapy; Copyright: panthemedia.net/Lev Dolgachov

Diabetes digital – smart support for diabetics

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.
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Image: Woman with diabetes and a sensor; Copyright: panthermedia.net / Click and Photo

Blood glucose monitoring of tomorrow - modern diabetes therapies

02.01.2019

There are 425 million people with diabetes in the world. Heart problems, kidney failure or blindness - these can all be consequences of the metabolic disease. Diabetes patients now have the possibility of being treated digitally.
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Image: digital capture of an eye; Copyright: panthermedia.net / cosmin momir

A digital look inside the human eye – when algorithms diagnose Diabetes

02.01.2019

Diabetes mellitus or simply diabetes has become very common and is often described as a lifestyle disease. More and more people are suffering from this chronic metabolic disorder. Next to established diagnostic procedures, digital retinal screening has shown to be successful - a promising technique that will also play an important role in the diagnosis of other diseases in the future.
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