Exergames in physiotherapy
Menu

Image: DNA samples lying on a cell culture dish near a microscope

Exploring the power of AI in genomics

29.10.2024

New AI-driven solutions promise to improve whole genome sequencing and diagnostics, offering insights into genetic diseases and complex conditions such as Alzheimer's and type 2 diabetes. In this interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com, Dr. Uirá Souto Melo explains the technology behind the work, the challenges it faces, and the vision for the future.
Read more
Image: Female athlete sprinting on a track in a stadium

Competence center: Supporting athletes after a cancer diagnosis

23.10.2024

The "German Competence Centre for Competitive Sports and Cancer" (KLiK) was founded at the Centre for Integrated Oncology at the University Hospital of Cologne (CIO) in cooperation with the German Sport University, offering specialized advice and support to competitive athletes with cancer.
Read more
Image: Medical professional places a dressing on the leg of a lying person

Wound dressings: Thermoresponsive polymer for painless removal

08.10.2024

A team of researchers led by Prof. Rolf Mülhaupt and Prof. Thorsten Steinberg at the University of Freiburg has developed a thermoresponsive polymer that enables wound dressings to be removed painlessly and without leaving any residue.
Read more
Image: Tablet lying on a table, a person in a doctor's coat reaches for the tablet with both hands

AI: New testing framework to ensure the quality of training data

24.09.2024

A testing framework has been developed at Germany’s national metrology institute, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), to ensure the quality of training data for medical AI applications. The framework, as well as a tool for the automated testing of algorithms, will be available to all developers.
Read more
Image: Smiling man with blue shirt, short gray hair and beard holding a foot orthosis - Prof. Martin Kohlhase; Copyright: Sarah Jonek/HSBI

Sarah Jonek/HSBI

Diabetic foot syndrome: Help through orthosis with sensors

12.09.2024

A sensor-equipped orthosis is being developed at Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences to improve patient self-management during the treatment of diabetic foot syndrome.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Doctor shows patient the human digestive system on a tablet and explains the details.

Gastrointestinal diagnostics: The Sonopill and AutoCapsule projects

29.08.2024

Capsule endoscopy has revolutionized gastrointestinal tract diagnosis over the past decade. The Sonopill program, led by Professors Marc Desmulliez and Sandy Cochran, is at the forefront of integrating ultrasound imaging and therapy into capsule technology.
Read more
Image: An environmentally friendly rapid antigen test placed on a green leaf; Copyright: Okos Diagnostics

Okos Diagnostics

From waste to sustainable wins: Rapid tests with biomaterials

27.08.2024

Over 2 billion rapid test (lateral flow assay) kits are produced every year, adding tens of thousands of tons of used materials to the growing global volume of medical waste. Every test kit contains around 12 grams of plastic and is designed for single use. The company Okos Diagnostics, founded in 2022, aims to reduce the waste with a sustainable rapid test solution.
Read more
Image: Examination of cell cultures in a laboratory

From lab to market: How vessel-chips are changing drug testing

20.08.2024

As the medical field seeks more ethical and accurate alternatives to traditional drug testing, vessel-chip technology is a prospective solution. This technology promises greater accuracy and a reduced need for animal trials.
Read more
Image: Person examining another person's legs for deep vein thrombosis using an ultrasound device

AI-based wearable for early detection and prevention of deep vein thrombosis

13.08.2024

The VDE is participating in the EU project ThrombUS+, which aims to improve risk assessment and prevention of deep vein thrombosis with a portable vein analyzer and an AI-based diagnostic device. In an interview with MEDICA-tradefair.com, Dr. Thorsten Prinz describes the three-and-a-half-year project.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: A person in a white coat explains the human heart with the help of an anatomical model. The model shows the inner structure of the heart in detail.

From permanent to resorbable: self-dissolving stents as heart implants

02.08.2024

Cardiology is increasingly transitioning from traditional metal stents to self-dissolving stents for the treatment of coronary heart disease. These new magnesium stents have the potential to improve the treatment and outcomes for a large patient population.
Read more
Image: Researchers examine DNA samples and discuss biomedical treatment

Blood tests: Tracking down cancer with circulating DNA

30.07.2024

Liquid biopsies in the form of blood tests offer the possibility of analyzing circulating free DNA in the blood and thus improving cancer therapies. The advantage of diagnostics using blood tests is that they can help to detect tumors at an early stage and efficiently monitor the progression of cancer.
Read more
Image: A pile of white lateral flow test cassettes; Copyright: SteveAllenPhoto999

SteveAllenPhoto999

DIANA: Alliance for innovative point-of-care tests

23.07.2024

To improve local medical care through point-of-care tests (PoCT), 80 partners from industry and research in Saxony and Thuringia have joined forces to form the DIANA (Diagnostics and Sustainability) alliance. Dr. Dirk Kuhlmeier coordinates the alliance.
Read more
Image: A man and a woman in a workshop check bio-based material for the production of respiratory masks; Copyright: Hamburg/TU Ilmenau

Hamburg/TU Ilmenau

Environmentally friendly respiratory masks: sustainable and biobased

10.07.2024

In view of the global challenges posed by environmental pollution and the need to make medical protective equipment efficient and sustainable, a team at Ilmenau University of Technology, led by Prof. Florian Puch, has developed an innovative solution: bio-based respiratory masks.
Read more
Image: Person walking on a perturbation treadmill in a gait laboratory; Copyright: Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg

Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg

Hearables: The new health centers on the ear

04.07.2024

Over the next five years, researchers from the Universities of Oldenburg and Bremen want to investigate what additional tasks hearing aids can take on as part of the HEARAZ (Hearable-centered Assistance: From Sensor to Participation) research training group.
Read more
Image: A man jogging looks at his wristwatch and wears a wearable on his other arm

New technologies in sports: from injury prevention to sports management

26.06.2024

Athletes are under great pressure to consistently deliver top performance. Technological aids are increasingly being used to support them in this. Artificial intelligence (AI) in particular shows great potential to change sports in the long term and effectively support athletes.
Read more
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.
Read more
Photo: an artificial parrot; Copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

AI assistants enhancing patient care

13.05.2024

Chatbots are already integrated into many areas of our daily lives. Could what is already being used for customer inquiries for insurance companies and the like also work in a medical context?
Read more
Image: The bare feet of a man with dark discoloration and ulcers; Copyright: halfpoint

halfpoint

Diabetes: Sensor sole warns of foot ulcers

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.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: A man looks through a microscope in the foreground, while a woman stands in the background and explains something to him; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/Andreas Wiese

Messe Düsseldorf/Andreas Wiese

World Laboratory Day: Laboratory medicine in transition

16.04.2024

World Laboratory Day takes place annually on April 23. It is intended to draw attention to the work in laboratories and the achievements of laboratory employees. MEDICA-tradefair.com takes the day as an opportunity to highlight current trends that continue to shape these work environments. These trends will also be a main focus of the MEDICA LABMED FORUM at MEDICA 2024.
Read more
Image: A woman lies on her back covered with a hairnet and is examined with a measuring device on her facial skin.

Raman sensor system: non-invasive monitoring with wide-ranging applications

04.04.2024

The Raman sensor system opens new monitoring possibilities by precisely measuring the concentration of carotenoids in the skin - a potential indicator of health. This technology offers a non-invasive insight into dietary habits and health status, with the potential to monitor the effectiveness of chemotherapies.
Read more
Image: Close-up of the surgeon's hands during an operation

Wound closure: soldering with light and nanotechnology

02.04.2024

With "iSoldering", the Particles Biology Interactions Laboratory at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) in St. Gallen and the Nanoparticle Systems Engineering Laboratory at ETH Zurich have developed a method that does not require surgical sutures or synthetic adhesives. Instead, nanoparticles and light enable secure wound closure.
Read more
Image: Preview picture of video

Lung check via 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.
Read more
Image: Woman holding a cell phone in her hand in front of her face and speaking into it

AI recognizing heart failure through voice analysis

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.
Read more
Image: Preview picture of video

Transforming healthcare with digital health apps

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?
Read more
Image: A person in a white coat walks next to another person wearing an exoskeleton, with only the legs of the two visible

Improving rehabilitation with self-stabilizing exoskeletons

14.03.2024

Exoskeletons offer a versatile tool for rehabilitation by providing assistance and targeted support for individuals with mobility challenges. They facilitate early mobilization, which is crucial to prevent complications associated with prolonged bed rest. By allowing patients to stand and walk with support, exoskeletons contribute to faster recovery and improved overall well-being.
Read more
Image: A woman is holding a hand prosthesis that holds an orange. A sensor is attached to one arm of the woman, the sensor is connected to the prosthesis with a cable; Copyright: Andreas Schmitz/TU Mu

Andreas Schmitz/TU Munich

Hand prostheses: AI enables more intuitive use

05.03.2024

Previous robotic prostheses only respond to their users' movement intentions to a limited extent. A new control method being developed at the TU Munich could help: A network of 128 sensors and the use of artificial intelligence could allow people to control their prosthetic hands more intuitively and naturally.
Read more
Photo:two green boxes on a table ; Copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

Technological solutions to combat the chronic staff shortage

04.03.2024

The shortage of skilled workers is a far-reaching challenge, especially in the healthcare sector. At MEDICA 2023, we were on the lookout for creative solutions.
Read more
Image: A woman with cancer sits in a wheelchair and scrolls through information on a tablet.

Overcoming fatigue: An app for greater quality of life

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.
Read more
Image: Storage room with sterilely packed textiles in a hospital; Copyright: Mint Images

Mint Images

Disinfection in hospitals: textiles inhibit pathogens

14.02.2024

Antimicrobial textiles can curb the spread of pathogens in hospitals. On the one hand, they reduce the amount of disinfection required by staff and, on the other, they increase the protection of patients against infection. Empa in Switzerland has tested the coating of curtains with antimicrobial substances in a study.
Read more
Inage: Ferda Canbaz and her team, one woman and four men, from the Department of Biomedical Engineering; Copyright: University of Basel

University of Basel

Surgery: more accuracy and safety through smart laser technology

08.02.2024

Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a smart laser that could be used to cut bone in surgery. The laser simultaneously cuts and analyzes tissue and measures the cutting depth. It could open new applications for laser surgery in the future and make it much safer for the patient while causing less damage to surrounding soft tissue.
Read more
Image: Anatomical model of the human heart on a desk, next to it the hands of a cardiologist can be seen – reBeat cardiac support system; Copyright: Unai82

Unai82

reBEAT: mechanical heart support of the future

06.02.2024

With "reBEAT", the Munich-based start-up AdjuCor has developed a novel system for cardiac support and successfully implemented it together with the Cardiac Surgery Clinic at Hannover Medical School (MHH). It works by providing direct mechanical support without direct blood contact. This makes implantation easier and the system safer.
Read more
Image: A woman in a blue lab coat sticks a patch on the arm of a young girl, both wearing a mask

Microneedle array patches: vaccinations made easy

29.01.2024

Dissolvable microneedle array patches (MAPs) consist of tiny, rapidly dissolving needles that can efficiently deliver vaccines into the skin. Their stability over time and easy application gives them great potential to not only simplify the vaccination process during a pandemic, but also in increase vaccination rates in low- and middle-income countries.
Read more
Inage: Sitting pregnant woman holding her belly with both hands; Copyright: djoronimo

djoronimo

Pre-eclampsia diagnosis in focus: MOMM Diagnostics' rapid test

22.12.2023

Early diagnosis is crucial in the case of pregnancy toxemia or pre-eclampsia. The young company MOMM Diagnostics is developing a diagnostic tool to help detect pre-eclampsia quickly and accurately. The start-up was already able to present an initial prototype of préXclude at MEDICA 2023. Clinical trials are due to start soon.
Read more
Image: Person sitting on a bench looking at the cell phone screen displaying some statistics; Copyright: Pressmaster

Pressmaster

Mindable: App support for anxiety disorders during the therapy waiting period

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.
Read more
Image: Cardiac catheterization laboratory with a doctor standing in front of the examination table in the middle of the picture; Copyright: HDZ NRW

HDZ NRW

Piccolo: Heart umbrellas with a big impact

19.12.2023

"After the procedure, Jonah was a different child, the improvement was immediate. He turned 180 degrees in the right direction," says his mother Ania. On June 22 of this year, the boy underwent an effective procedure in the cardiac catheterization laboratory at the Heart and Diabetes Center NRW (HDZ NRW) in Bad Oeynhausen when he was just six months old.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Representation of an experimental hybrid OR at Fraunhofer IPA in Mannheim; Copyright: Fraunhofer IPA

Fraunhofer IPA

DAIOR research project: Distributed AI improves telesurgery

14.12.2023

In the DAIOR research project, doctors and technicians are working on the evaluation of surgical data from multimodal sources using artificial intelligence (AI). One of the project goals is to support robot-assisted telesurgery in real time.
Read more
Image: Two women sitting next to each other looking at a tablet projecting a health record; Copyright: YuriArcursPeopleimages

YuriArcursPeopleimages

Artificial intelligence: Will an algorithm soon be writing doctors' letters?

11.12.2023

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems IAIS are currently developing a "doctor's letter generator" that could soon produce documents in the shortest possible time. With 150 million doctors' letters being written in Germany every year, this would save hospitals and medical practices an enormous amount of time.
Read more
Image: A sample is placed in a centrifuge by a person wearing personal protective clothing; Copyright: microgen

microgen

TissueGrinder: Improved cell analyses via enhanced-quality sample preparation

07.12.2023

A new method for examining tissue samples could change the way we diagnose and treat cancer. Researchers at the Max Planck and Fraunhofer IPA have developed an automated system based on the principle of enzyme-free tissue processing and the mechanical deformability of individual cells.
Read more
Photo: a woman sits in front of a computer screen and looks at an MRI image; Copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

Smart software for MRI examinations

06.12.2023

The start-up relios.vision GmbH has developed the SmartContrast software. Using artificial intelligence, it can reduce the dose of contrast agent used in MRI examinations of the brain by two thirds.
Read more
Image: Dressing material in open blue containers on a table; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf

Messe Düsseldorf

Healing chronically infected wounds with living dressings

30.11.2023

When a wound heals, ideally the new tissue fully closes a skin lesion. But with chronic wounds, seemingly harmless tissue damages can turn into permanent health problems. In some chronic wounds with infections, antibiotics or disinfectants can no longer get to the germs. To counteract this, Empa researchers have now developed a dressing containing probiotic lactobacilli.
Read more
Image: Human organs made of paper lie on a table with the word

FabianMontano

Organ banks and the potential of deep-freezing

28.11.2023

We still face major challenges when it comes to the availability of donor organs. Organ banks could be a promising solution to shorten waiting times and save more lives - but only if we manage to preserve donor organs for longer.
Read more
Image: Person in sportswear sitting on an empty grandstand and holding his aching knee; Copyright: wayhomestudio

wayhomestudio

Orthopy: knee injury app's DIGA approval

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.
Read more
NRW Minister President Hendrik Wüst in conversation with an exhibitor wearing the FRENZ Brainband; copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

Precision sensing technology for enhanced sleep quality – Earable

16.11.2023

A good night’s sleep is a personal experience. The FRENZ Brainband by Earable is a wearable driven by AI, designed to cater to your unique sleep requirements. It combines real-time data analysis, intelligent audio content, and cutting-edge technology to ensure users are well-rested. We did not want to miss the chance to talk to Earable about their newest developments.
Read more
A man with a beard is interviewed, in the background several 3D printed products; copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

3D printing on the assembly line – iFactory 3D GmbH

16.11.2023

3D printing enables the individual production of single pieces and small series at low cost. However, it also has a disadvantage: printing takes a relatively long time and it is not possible to produce several pieces in succession with a single printer. At the MEDICA START-UP PARK at MEDICA 2023, we met a company that automates 3D printing. Find out how in the interview with iFactory 3D GmbH.
Read more
A woman with a microphone interviews a man in a suit at a trade fair stand; copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

Smartly crafting medical adhesives – Avery Dennison

15.11.2023

Avery Dennison, a global powerhouse in materials science, is advancing the field of medical adhesives, both for wound and surgical care as well as for wearables. With a multidisciplinary team and a dedication to addressing current industry challenges, they deliver solutions that not only meet the practical needs of medical applications but also enhance the comfort for patients.
Read more
A woman interviews a female exhibitor at a stand at the MEDICA medical technology trade fair, with an exoskeleton between them; copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

Innovative and accessible exoskeleton development – Project MARCH

15.11.2023

Project MARCH, a student team from TU Delft, is developing exoskeleton technology to improve the lives of people with paraplegia. Through an interdisciplinary approach and a commitment to innovation, they create designs that combine advanced technology with practical functionality. As they came to MEDICA 2023 as an exhibitor, we took the opportunity to interview them.
Read more
Two men in suits in an exhibition hall at MEDICA, one interviewing the other; copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

On the move at MEDICA 2023 – PHYSIO TECH highlight tour

15.11.2023

PHYSIO TECH is one of the five Spheres of MEDICA. Here, visitors will find products and exhibitors relating to physiotherapy, rehabilitation and sport – in other words, everything that keeps people fit and moving. But this topic is no longer about colorful training aids made of plastic or rubber; smart applications and robotics have long since found their way here too.
Read more
A man in a suit being interviewed, the MEDICA medical technology trade fair logo on the microphone; copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

Rehabilitation through specialized treadmill technology – WOODWAY

14.11.2023

WOODWAY, a leader in treadmill innovation for medical rehabilitation, brings over 40 years of expertise to MEDICA 2023. They consistently deliver tailored, state-of-the-art solutions for optimal fitness and rehabilitation results. In our interview, discover WOODWAY's specialized equipment and their unique treadmill technology.
Read more
A woman interviews a man in a suit at a stand at the MEDICA medical technology trade fair; copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

ROBERT, the robot in rehab – Life Science Robotics

14.11.2023

At MEDICA 2023, the Danish company Life Science Robotics presents ROBERT. On the one hand, this robotic arm can relieve medical staff in rehabilitation and physiotherapy. On the other hand, it can also help patients achieve better results and get fit again faster. Find out how this works and what makes ROBERT so special in our video interview with Keld Thorsen, CEO.
Read more
Image: Preview image to video

Robotic assistance for safe patient positioning – with BizLink Robotic Solutions France

14.11.2023

Vincent Besnard, Software Development Manager, tells us about the recent developments in medical robotics from the point of view of BizLink. The company has been an expert for safe patient positioning during proton therapy for years now. At MEDICA 2023, they present their new robotic platform PULSAR.
Read more
A woman interviews a man in a suit in front of a trade fair stand at MEDICA; copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

USA, what's new? – Highlight tour at the US Pavilion

14.11.2023

MEDICA connects medical technology companies and their customers from around the globe. In 2023, more than hundred US companies exhibit at the US pavilion in hall 16, for example. For our highlight video tour, we paid the pavilion a visit. Join us to learn who is behind the organization of the pavilion and what some of the exhibitors are showcasing at MEDICA.
Read more
Two men in suits in an exhibition hall at MEDICA, one interviewing the other; copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

Breath the spirit of MEDICA 2023 – Highlight tour with Director Christian Grosser

13.11.2023

Topics like artificial Intelligence, automation and robotics, and sustainability are shaking the medical industry – and both MEDICA and COMPAMED reflect that. We are walking through the trade show halls of MEDICA with Christian Grosser, Director Health & Medical Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf, to talk about this: What are his impressions of this year’s MEDICA and COMPAMED?
Read more
A large picture on a stand wall at MEDICA, showing a newborn baby and the logo of exhibitor Bambi Medical; copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

Wireless revolution in neonatal monitoring – Bambi Medical

13.11.2023

Bambi Medical introduces the Bambi Belt, a wearable device designed for newborns that transforms vital sign monitoring in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). By eliminating wires, it significantly improves comfort for these vulnerable patients. As this is Bambi Medical’s debut at MEDICA, we seized the opportunity to learn more about the Bambi Belt’s numerous advantages.
Read more
A man in a suit walks through the MEDICA exhibition hall with a microphone; copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

eHealth, mHealth, AI, and much more – Highlight tour in the MEDICA START-UP PARK

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.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: A surgeon in the operating room performs laser surgery on a patient's eyes; Copyright: Chibelek

Chibelek

Funding partially autonomous surgical robotics development

09.11.2023

The research association ForNeR’s two million euro grant from the Bavarian Research Foundation's Board of Trustees integrates assistive robots for surgery through intuitive interfaces in the operating room. This not only helps patients but also supports operating room staff in performing demanding procedures.
Read more
Image: Dr. Mario Lorenz demonstrates the Virtuoso, which surgeons can use to practice the removal of the femoral head; Copyright: https://divr.de/

https://divr.de/

Training surgery with the DynamicHIPS system

06.11.2023

When surgically inserting an artificial hip, the preparation of medical staff jumps from theory to practice directly on the patient. The training system OrthoMiniGames now offers a simulation as an intermediate step. The use of virtual reality optics combined with tactile devices provides the opportunity to conduct the procedure within a haptic experience before approaching the patient.
Read more
Image: Medical suction cup balanced on a fingertip; Copyright: Transire Bio

Transire Bio

Suction cup as a direct route for medication into the bloodstream

02.11.2023

Many diseases require weekly or even daily injections of medication into the blood. To make this gentler for patients, researchers have developed a suction cup for the inside of the cheek. The suction cup allows drugs to be administered non-invasively directly into the blood. With the founding of the start-up Transire Bio, this is now to become marketable.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Elderly man with a walking aid follows a robot through a hallway; Copyright: TEDIRO

TEDIRO

Rehabilitation: THERY robot accompanies gait training on forearm supports

25.10.2023

It is 1.50 meters tall, weighs 60 kilograms, can reach a maximum speed of 0.8 meters per second and is called THERY. THERY is a mobile robot from the Ilmenau-based company TEDIRO, which enables patients to complete autonomous gait training on forearm supports without the assistance of a therapist.
Read more
Image: Woman extends her arms above her head for a breathing exercise; Copyright: DragonImages

DragonImages

Breathment: AI-based breathing exercises for health

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.
Read more
Image: light brown bone screw Shark Screw; Copyright: DIZG

DIZG

Faster return to health with bone screws made from donated tissue

16.10.2023

During fracture treatment, screws are frequently used to join bone fragments. Traditional metal screws can necessitate additional surgeries during follow-up treatment, extending the healing process. Shark Screw® bone screw, crafted from human tissue, presents significant benefits in this context.
Read more
Image: Woman doing sports exercises on a mat while looking at a cell phone lying directly in front of the mat; Copyright: EkaterinaPereslavtseva

EkaterinaPereslavtseva

Gamified pelvic floor training: fun motivation for a strong core

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.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Preview picture of video

COMPASS: Inexpensive and fast detection method for viruses

02.10.2023

Since Corona, everyone has probably come into contact with a rapid test for checking viral load. A new device called COMPASS promises much faster and more effective testing than conventional methods. It was developed by researchers at Julius Maximilian University in Würzburg in cooperation with Erlangen University Hospital.
Read more
Image: A caregiver sits at a desk in the foreground and takes notes while another caregiver talks on the phone in the background; Copyright: DC_Studio

DC_Studio

Digitization in hospitals: not just an end in itself, but a transformer

21.09.2023

The course urgently needs to be charted to make healthcare secure for the future. The Asklepios Trend Report, which was published for the first time this summer, highlights the key developments that will shape our healthcare system for the foreseeable future. Digitalization plays a key role in this as confirmed by a patient study also commissioned by the group.
Read more
Image: A person sits in front of a laptop, a graphic representation of a head in cross-section as an AI is displayed above the laptop; Copyright: AndersonPiza

AndersonPiza

Danger from chatbots: Do they need regulation as a medical device?

12.09.2023

Chatbots like ChatGPT have great potential for medicine. But their unregulated use in healthcare poses a great danger because of their inherent risks. A Nature Medicine article by Prof. Stephen Gilbert et al. calls for medical device approval for chatbots and applications based on them.
Read more
Image: A woman hands a yellow piece of paper to a man across a table where another person is also sitting; Copyright: InfectoGnostics

InfectoGnostics

InfectoGnostics study: Benefits of on-site tests in general practices

05.09.2023

General practitioners (GP) regularly use on-site rapid tests because they find their application useful. However, frequent utilisation fails due to costs and remuneration regulations. These are the results of a study by InfectoGnostics researchers at the University Hospital Jena in the project "POCT-ambulant", in which 292 GPs in Thuringia, Bremen and Bavaria participated.
Read more
Image: BraiN20 wearable device for early detection of strokes; Copyright: Time is Brain

Time is Brain

Start-up Time is Brain monitors brain function after stroke

30.08.2023

Stroke victims frequently face lasting disabilities. Recognizing this, the start-up "Time is Brain" has pioneered a portable device for early stroke detection. This innovation empowers doctors to tailor therapeutic decisions throughout a patient's journey, ensuring continuous, real-time brain monitoring from the moment a stroke begins.
Read more
Picture: A man in a white coat holds a medical tube in his hands; Copyright: UKW / Stefan Dreising

UKW / Stefan Dreising

Sustainable endoscopy: Würzburg University Hospital reduces CO2 footprint

22.08.2023

In a pilot project, the University Hospital of Würzburg has succeeded in significantly reducing the CO2 footprint in endoscopy. The focus was on consumables. Prof. Alexander Meining initiated the project together with his colleague Dr. Dorothea Henniger.
Read more
Image: Hands of a surgeon on the control console of a surgical robot; Copyright: Gerain0812

Gerain0812

Sensor-controlled precision: the future of surgical tumor removal

22.08.2023

The complete removal of malignant tumors is a decisive factor for the success of cancer treatment. Until now, the tissue examinations required for this have been time-consuming. In the future, sensor-based methods could come into play to help surgeons detect tumor boundaries more accurately and thus perform a more precise operation.
Read more
Image: A woman in personal protective clothing examines samples under a microscope; Copyright: monkeybusiness

monkeybusiness

Pandemic prevention: progress in research infrastructure

15.08.2023

The Covid-19 pandemic has clearly shown that there is still a lot of potential in research structures and funding to better manage a pandemic. Prevention plays just as important a role as dealing with the pandemic. Technological measures that can facilitate virus detection or help to analyze the course in more detail need to be developed.
Read more
Image: A surgeon in the OR is sitting in front of the control console of a surguical robot, a screen in front of him; Copyright: Universitätsklinikum Bonn (UKB)/Johann Saba

University Hospital Bonn (UKB)/Johann Saba

OR robotics: flexible on-demand robotics with Dexter

08.08.2023

Surgical robotics is precise and reduces the workload of surgeons. However, it is not always as flexible as humans. Dexter, a surgical robot that recently received CE certification, could revolutionize how surgery is performed in certain cases. Not only is it smaller and less expensive than other systems, it also allows switching between robotics and laparoscopy.
Read more
Image: A man holds a prosthetic leg while a woman is screwing in it; Copyright: Marius Maasewerd, HAWK

Marius Maasewerd, HAWK

Orthobionics degree program qualifies specialists for orthopedics

01.08.2023

Starting from the winter semester of 2023, the Orthobionics program will launch a distinctive bachelor's degree. Geared towards the requirements of the orthopedic technology industry, they will be adept in independently providing care with modern orthoses and prostheses.
Read more
Image: View of a laboratory, where a robotic facility has been built; Copyright: Anna Schroll/Leibniz-HKI

Anna Schroll/Leibniz-HKI

Robotics: modular platform for antibiotics research

27.07.2023

The high cost and limited commercial value of new antibiotics discourage their development, as they are used sparingly to avoid resistance. To address this, a new robotics platform aims to simplify the development of active substances to combat the problem of antibiotic resistance. While we cannot always prevent resistance, this approach offers a promising solution.
Read more
Image: Child's arm above a table with colorful overlay is supported by a hand; Copyright: Rett Syndrom Deutschland e.V.

Rett Syndrom Deutschland e.V.

TeMoRett: XR and AI support motor function therapy in Rett syndrome

25.07.2023

The TeMoRett project aims to develop technology-based motor rehabilitation for people with Rett syndrome. This rare genetic disorder predominantly affects girls and, in addition to the loss of spoken language, also leads to movement disorders of the hands. An interdisciplinary consortium was formed for the project.
Read more
Image: A telecontrolled robotic arm supports and relieves a person during care activities; Copyright: Kathrin Seibert

Kathrin Seibert

AI: How can you bring health professionals and algorithms together?

18.07.2023

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) can relieve healthcare workers and improve patient care. A survey among healthcare professionals in the medical and nursing sector by the 'Platform Learning Systems' has found that employees are open-minded, but demand changes in their daily work in return.
Read more
Image: An open wound on a knee is dabbed with a cotton pad; Copyright: yanadjana

yanadjana

Mobile cold plasma device: healing of chronic and acute wounds

13.07.2023

Skin diseases, chronic wounds or postoperative wounds often greatly restrict the quality of life for those affected. Improvement or healing of these conditions is usually time-consuming and costly. Terraplasma medical GmbH, a company of the Viromed Medical Group, uses cold plasma to pursue an effective approach to wound treatment.
Read more
Image: Woman in a laboratory collecting blood samples; Copyright: Prostock-studio

Prostock-studio

Molecular tumor profiling: blood test to determine the optimal cancer therapy

11.07.2023

If a tumor is diagnosed, tissue samples are usually investigated to determine the molecular tumor profile for personalized cancer treatment. However, tissue biopsy cannot be performed in all affected individuals. Therefore, the University Hospital Zurich has licensed a liquid biopsy for the analysis of more than 300 genes and offers this test as a modern diagnostic method to tumor patients.
Read more
Image: clock in the background with scattered pills in the foreground; Copyright: rawf8

rawf8

Improved cancer therapy: TimeTeller shows what makes the body tick

06.07.2023

Using the internal clock to optimize chemotherapies in cancer treatment - that is the goal of the start-up TimeTeller. If the drugs are administered at the ideal time of day for chemotherapy, it can reduce side effects and improve the effect. TimeTeller has developed a method for determining the internal clock to make this possible.
Read more
Image: Child being tested for viruses in the throat by a doctor using a test swab; Copyright: drazenphoto

drazenphoto

Revolutionizing virus detection: the power of AI and CRISPR

04.07.2023

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists and researchers have been tirelessly working to develop innovative and accurate tests to identify the presence of viruses. One breakthrough technology that has emerged is the combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and CRISPR, which has revolutionized virus detection.
Read more
Image: knee joint highlighted in red on which the person has placed their hands; copyright: mihacreative

mihacreative

Personalized cartilage replacement helps with knee pain

27.06.2023

Knee osteoarthritis is a widespread form of arthrosis that limits those affected in their everyday lives. The wear and tear in the cartilage tissue often causes pain and movement restrictions. In order to improve treatment, researchers have developed a process that allows artificial cartilage tissue to be individually tailored to sufferers.
Read more
Image: A female lab worker in protective clothing scans a barcode on a blood sample; Copyright: svitlanah

svitlanah

6G in healthcare: better wireless technology for better care

20.06.2023

While the 5G cellular technology standard is becoming more widespread in the public sector, development on its successor has already started. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has launched an initiative to lay the foundations for 6G. This communications technology can also be significant for the healthcare sector.
Read more
 Image: Infant lying in a mobile MRI unit with a doctor holding a tablet and a woman sitting next to him; Copyright: University Hospital Bonn (UKB)/A. Winkler

University Hospital Bonn (UKB)/A. Winkler

Mobile MRI: Gates Foundation funds world's first examinations in children under ECMO

20.06.2023

The University Hospital of Bonn (UKB) is the first hospital in the world to examine and monitor children receiving ECMO therapy with a mobile magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. This was possible thanks to a funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Read more
Image: Renacer bioresorbable membrane against a black background; Copyright: K. Selsam, Fraunhofer ISC

K. Selsam, Fraunhofer ISC

Wound healing: Fraunhofer Institutes develop bioresorbable membrane RENACER

13.06.2023

Treating large-area and internal wounds and promoting their often protracted healing remains a challenging task for medicine. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research (ISC) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine (ITEM) have developed the bioresorbable membrane RENACER®.
Read more
Image: A microwell plate on a laboratory bench is filled with a multi-tip pipette; Copyright: Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Tropenmedizin

Bernhard-Nocht-Institut für Tropenmedizin

Panadea Diagnostics: new start-up for better infection diagnostics

06.06.2023

"Get the right result, every time": the start-up Panadea Diagnostics has set this as the goal of its work. Operating since April 2023, the biotechnology company founded by researchers at Hamburg's Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine (BNITM) develops special technologies for antibody detection of tropical and emerging infectious diseases.
Read more
Image: A silver medical device with a large display on a table in a physician's office; Copyright: NIMBLE Diagnostics SL

NIMBLE Diagnostics SL

Imaging: monitoring cardiovascular stents with microwaves

30.05.2023

A cardiovascular stent may fail after implantation. Patients with arteriosclerosis then must undergo angiography again. The condition of the stent is examined or a new stent is placed during this procedure. Barcelona-based company NIMBLE Diagnostics is now working on an easier method to monitor stents after implantation.
Read more
Image: A round, red button and a round, black sensor with a white M on the palm of a hand; Copyright: Knopka LLC/Movesense Ltd

Knopka LLC/Movesense Ltd

Knopka LLC and Movesense Ltd: International cooperation forged at MEDICA

23.05.2023

Sometimes, it just about being in the right place at the right time: At MEDICA 2022, Knopka LLC from Ukraine and Movesense Ltd from Finland crossed paths. They immediately started a project together in a hospital in Lviv, Ukraine, that is now, roughly six months later, completed already.
Read more
Image: OR monitor that shows heart rate and other vital parameters, behind it an OR team; Copyright: bilanol

bilanol

OptoCarDi: searching for new diagnostic options to assess the heart muscle

16.05.2023

The preparations for the OptoCarDi project at the EAH Jena and the Jena University Hospital (UKJ) are in full swing. Starting in June 2023, a research team led by Prof. Iwan Schie (Biomedical Engineering), Prof. Robert Brunner (Miniaturized Optical Sensor Systems) and the cardiologists Prof. Sven Möbius-Winkler and Prof. Christian Schulze will develop an optical catheter prototype.
Read more
Image: Young woman sleeping in her bed wearing a smartwatch on the wrist; Copyright: KaikaTaaK

KaikaTaaK

Digital biomarkers: a new way to look at diseases?

15.05.2023

We usually use biomarkers from body tissue or blood to diagnose diseases and monitor their progression. This requires taking and analyzing samples from patients at regular points in time. Two new studies shed light on an easier and less expensive method: using wearable sensors to collect movement data and AI to analyze them.
Read more
Image: Baby mannequin connected to a ventilator in an incubator; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf

Messe Düsseldorf

With stem cell model on the trail of congenital diaphragmatic hernia

09.05.2023

Researchers have designed a new stem cell model to study congenital diaphragmatic hernia in newborns with underdeveloped lungs. They were able to isolate stem cells from the fluid that is suctioned from the baby’s lungs and normally gets discarded and use them as a foundation for the model.
Read more
Image: Adolescent girl is wearing sensors on her back for motion tracking; Copyright: microgen

microgen

Soft orthotics: creating the perfect fit with a 3D scanner

08.05.2023

Soft textile orthoses are used in the treatment of certain medical conditions. Making these custom devices by hand is difficult, time-consuming, and susceptible to human error. A research project has developed a digital platform designed to simplify the production of soft orthoses.
Read more
Image: child sitting at a table with his head on his arms while looking at papers on the table; Copyright: envato/Maria_Sbytova

envato/Maria_Sbytova

ADHD: Software supports diagnostic process

02.05.2023

To be diagnosed with ADHD, children must exhibit various factors and persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It can sometimes be difficult to diagnose the condition because younger children change and develop rapidly. New software makes it possible to combine and analyze different evaluations and test results to facilitate a more informed and accurate diagnosis.
Read more
Image: A female physician and an assistant are looking at MRI images on a screen; Copyright: svitlanah

svitlanah

BioDevCenter: biologicals are the future of medicine

27.04.2023

Not all advances in medical technology immediately catch your eye – take biologicals, for example. These are molecules that are biotechnologically designed for a specific application. In the German state of Baden-Württemberg, the Biologicals Development Center (BioDevCenter) and its infrastructure aim to bring them to market faster in the future.
Read more
 Image: Person walking with his back to the camera on a treadmill in front of a monitor that analyzes and displays information on body posture; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf

Messe Düsseldorf

3D Motion Analysis: Postural patterns in patients with hemophilia

27.04.2023

Usually, the solutions for monitoring heart failure are implantable and thus come with the risks of surgery. A research project has now developed a noninvasive solution based on sensor technology integrated into a wearable belt.
Read more
Image:An ophthalmologist looking at an OCT image together with the patient; Copyright: olgaseleznovaphoto

olgaseleznovaphoto

FALCO project: Comprehensive glaucoma prevention thanks to low-cost screening system

20.04.2023

Glaucoma is wicked, because the disease often goes undetected until irreversible damage of the optic nerve has occurred. This makes regular eye exams even more important. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging method that facilitates an early diagnosis. However, traditional OCT machines are very expensive. That’s why the FALCO project aims to develop a more cost-effective system.
Read more
Image: Female physician in a hospital is throwing trash into a trash can; Copyright: karrastock

karrastock

CirculAid: funding for a circular economy in healthcare

17.04.2023

The health care system and its activities consume a lot of resources. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the existing problem due to the increased need for hygiene and protective equipment. Urgent action is needed to protect the environment and combat climate change by reducing consumption and improving resource efficiency.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: medical syringe lies on several doses of vaccine; Copyright: erika8213

erika8213

AI meets zebrafish: is this the future of drug discovery?

04.04.2023

New drug candidates must undergo lengthy testing using animal models before being given to participants in human trials. This means many active ingredients must already be sorted out in test series because they either do not have the desired or even have an adverse effect. These test series require many test animals. The use of zebrafish larvae could lead to a reduced demand in this setting.
Read more
Image: Someone playing a memory game on the smartphone; Copyright: beta-web | memodio GmbH

beta-web

Dementia prevention with memodio – app helps fend off memory loss

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.
Read more
Image: A man in a blue sweater, with short grey hair and glasses is looking into the tube of a tomograph, in which a phantom is positioned – Prof. Franz Pfeiffer; Copyright: Astrid Eckert / TUM

Astrid Eckert / TUM

COVID-19 and beyond: a deeper look into the lungs with dark-field X-rays

28.03.2023

Imaging reaches its limits when it comes to looking at the lungs: Alveoli are tiny, balloon-shaped air sacs in our lungs. These tissue structures are micrometers in diameter and currently cannot be visualized directly. Meanwhile, they exhibit early changes prompted by lung diseases such as COVID-19. Dark-field X-ray images could visualize these signs in the future.
Read more
Image: Hospital buildings behind a forest and a wheat field; Copyright: IndustryAndTravel

IndustryAndTravel

Hospital construction: challenging projects for good healthcare

17.03.2023

Building a hospital is a large project that involves many experts and countless workers and contractors. They are all coordinated to reach a common goal: a building that serves the wellbeing of patients. MEDICA exhibitor Axis Medical has a lot of experience with this – read more in our interview!
Read more
Image: Results of an echocardiography ultrasound are displayed on a tablet; Copyright: envato/photovs

envato/photovs

Wearable belt: monitoring heart failure with sensors

14.03.2023

Usually, the solutions for monitoring heart failure are implantable and thus come with the risks of surgery. A research project has now developed a noninvasive solution based on sensor technology integrated into a wearable belt.
Read more
Image: Preview picture of video

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.
Read more
Image: Man is grabbing his throat with one hand, touches the larynx; Copyright: towfiqu98

towfiqu98

Vocal cord paresis: surgical treatment to reverse paralysis

27.02.2023

The paralysis of the vocal folds, the vocal fold paresis (also known as vocal cord paralysis) is a condition in which most patients cannot control the movement of the muscles that control the voice. This can make it hard to speak, prompting a reduction in speech volume that makes it challenging to understand the person. Some patients may even have difficulty breathing.
Read more
Image: Model of AR glasses that can be worn for fall prevention; Copyright:

Lorenz Assländer

Fall prevention with AR glasses

21.02.2023

Older people have a much higher risk of falls and serious injury arising from a fall. Researchers involved in the “Augmented Balance" project aim to develop augmented reality (AR) glasses to help improve balance and prevent falls.
Read more
Image: Physician in blue scrubs is standing next to a bed with a patient dummy; Copyright: Klinikum Oldenburg

Klinikum Oldenburg

Training: Learning to recognize delirium with the android patient

10.02.2023

Current patient simulators are mostly mannequins that can simulate vital functions via built-in electronics but are otherwise lifeless. An android patient could bring a breath of fresh air to training in the future. It can help hospital staff to better recognize delirium in patients and thus increase patient safety.
Read more
Image: A physiotherapist is doing a leg exercise with a woman who is wearing an orthosis; Copyright: Wavebreakmedia

Wavebreakmedia

Muscles and nervous system: Space research helps combat degeneration

30.01.2023

Injuries do not just happen to athletes: along with surgeries, they are often the reason for prolonged bed rest. Meanwhile, extended physical inactivity can trigger changes in muscles and the nervous system. Sports medicine wants to counteract these negative effects and use insights from space research in the future.
Read more
Image: Overview graphic on sustainable growth; Copyright: mihacreative

mihacreative

Green Hospital: Carbon neutral thanks to sustainable technology

23.01.2023

In light of climate change, the healthcare industry is putting increasing emphasis on sustainability besides digitization and labor shortages. In the future, hospital facilities will be judged by their carbon footprint and their contribution to climate neutrality.
Read more
Image: A smartphone with an opened app that tracks the sleep cycle is lying on a glass table; Copyright: seventyfourimages

seventyfourimages

Digitization of healthcare: Where does Germany rank?

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.
Read more
Image: A pregnant woman getting her blood pressure measured; Copyright: dasha11

dasha11

SMART Start: Digitization in prenatal care

16.01.2023

Pregnancy means many prenatal visits. Regularly scheduled checkup appointments are important to help expectant mothers get ready for the healthiest pregnancy possible. The question is: Could some parameters be measured and monitored via smart devices from the comfort of one’s own home? The SMART Start project explores this issue.
Read more
Image: Screenshot of a website showing the illustration of a pregnant woman, a female physician and a text about the German mothers' pass (Mutterpass); Copyright: Screenshot HEDI-App

Screenshot HEDI-App

HEDI: App supports pregnant women and young families

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.
Read more
Image: person wearing VR glasses for biofeedback training with a doctor in a treatment room; Copyright: microgen

microgen

The digital patient: The next big step for healthcare

09.01.2023

The "digital patient" is a model that encompasses everything from patients who use VR headsets to meet with their doctor in the metaverse to those who use smart technologies to find a possible diagnosis.
Read more
Image: A portable device with a large touchscreen and green handles at both sides – the Wound Viewer from Omnidermal; Copyright: beta-web/Roth

beta-web/Roth

Wound Viewer from Omnidermal: using AI to monitor wounds

01.12.2022

Caring for chronic wounds is a tedious task for caregivers and physicians, as these wounds take a long time to heal and may easily worsen. They also require a lot of documentation to plan and monitor treatment. With the Wound Viewer from Omnidermal Biomedics, a device is available that supports medical staff in this task.
Read more
Image: Model of a human back with a wound above the coccyx, over which a cylinder-shaped printing head hovers; Copyright: beta-web/Roth

beta-web/Roth

Wound treatment: printing instead of grafting

01.12.2022

Currently, wound care is limited to either waiting for wounds to heal while keeping them clean and free of infection or using grafts from the patient’s own body to cover larger defects. With the ongoing development tissue engineering and bioprinting, there could be a third option in future: Will we be able to print new tissue directly in the OR to cover surgical wounds?
Read more
Image: Physical therapist putting electrostimulation belt on a patient; Copyright: 9_fingers_

9_fingers_

Electrical current to fight COVID-19: The intelligent electric pill

28.11.2022

In 2020, Prof. Eugenijus Kaniusas and his research partners hypothesized that stimulating the auricular vagus nerve has anti-inflammatory effects in severe COVID-19 cases. In 2022, they were able to confirm this hypothesis thanks to a clinical trial.
Read more
Image: Preview image for video

Electrical stimulation for clinical and home use – EGZOTech Sp. z.o.o.

17.11.2022

Supporting patients in their rehabilitation and relieving physiotherapists – this is what EGZOTech from Poland wants to achieve with its EMS-based technologies. At MEDICA 2022, they explain to us how the company wants to make this possible.
Read more
Image: Screen with signs to explain the product

Listening for arrhythmias – Cardiokol ltd

17.11.2022

Atrial fibrillation increases the risk of stroke – especially in people older than 65. The Israel company Cardiokol offers software applications that enable mass tele-screening for AF. At MEDICA 2022, we met Co-Founder Eli Attar for a video interview. He explained to us how the solution of the company works.
Read more

Setting new standards in mobile X-ray – Solutions for tomorrow AB

16.11.2022

Instead of bringing the patient to the X-ray unit, would it not be better to bring the X-ray unit to the patient? Solutions for tomorrow is a med-tech company creating innovative products that change the X-ray experience for hospitals, clinics and patients. At MEDICA 2022, we took a look at it.
Read more
Image: Preview image of the video

Helpful hands redefined – Stäubli Tec-Systems GmbH

16.11.2022

Medical robots are on the advance: Highly precise, rigid or flexible, they also have to meet the criteria for sterile surgical conditions. At MEDICA 2022, we visit the stand of Stäubli Tec Systems and see for ourselves why robots can be the helping hand of surgeons.
Read more
Image: Preview image to video

Safe and clean – Steelco S.p.A.

16.11.2022

Safe reprocessing of medical instruments is particularly important in laboratory or hospital operations. It is good to have a reliable partner who does not shy away from any challenge: Steelco S.p.A. offers efficient and versatile solutions for even the most specific customer requirements of equipment and systems for washing, disinfection, and sterilization. We learn more at MEDICA 2022.
Read more
Image: A man smiling towards the camera - preview image of photo gallery; Copyright: beta-web/Hofmann

Visitor voices 2022: Medicine at your fingertips

16.11.2022

Finally MEDICA is back and the halls are full! We wanted to know what makes the trade fair so special and interesting for visitors and why you should definitely make the trip to Düsseldorf. You can read the best answers in our photo gallery.
Read more

Safety for healthcare professionals – Owen Mumford Ltd.

15.11.2022

Occupational accidents also happen in medicine. One of the most common are injuries with cannulas and needles. These are not only painful, but also carry a risk of infection. At MEDICA 2022, Owen Mumford will be showing solutions for safe drug administration and blood collection. In the video interview, we also learn more about the company's sustainability goals.
Read more

Printed electronics for healthcare – Henkel AG

15.11.2022

Henkel is a name that many do not necessarily associate with medical technology. Nevertheless, the company can make an important contribution to digital healthcare. In our video interview, we find out what exactly this contribution looks like and why Henkel is exhibiting at MEDICA 2022.
Read more
Image: Smiling man with a grey jacket in front of a tradefair stand; Copyright: beta-web/Hofmann

Meeting point MEDICA 2022: Innovations, contacts and latest research

15.11.2022

The world of medicine meets again at MEDICA. A variety of high-quality, innovative products and exciting presentations as well as discussions in the forums make it a great event. This year, the trade fair again offers new ideas and developments on an international level. You can get a small insight in our photo gallery.
Read more

Pain therapy without medication – AURIMOD GmbH

14.11.2022

Chronic pain is a worldwide problem that continues to limit 30 percent of those affected despite treatment. With VIVO, AURIMOD GmbH is setting a new standard in pain treatment. In our video interview, we learn how this small device attached to the ear can provide pain relief.
Read more
Image: small empty test tubes with lids in different colors; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/C. Tillmann

Messe Düsseldorf/C. Tillmann

RNA technologies make targeted immune activation possible

03.11.2022

MEDICA 2022 is right around the corner, ready to deliver insights into the advancements and innovations in laboratory medicine. One of the key topics of the MEDICA LABMED Forum is RNA technologies and the wide range of applications that involve cell biology. RNA technologies not only enable Covid-19 vaccines but promise an array of treatment options for genetic diseases, in and beyond oncology.
Read more
Image: Woman with sensors on the upper body on a runner; Copyright: pixelaway

pixelaway

Movement analysis with electromagnetic wave-based sensor technology

03.11.2022

Wearable technologies are widely used in today’s sports medicine. Whether they home in on a diagnosis or track people’s various parameters, wearables, and smart textiles are here to provide information and support. The MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTS CONFERENCE will showcase some of the latest trends and research developments pertaining to sports medicine.
Read more
Image: A middle-aged female doctor makes video call on a laptop while sitting at a desk; Copyright: insidecreativehouse

insidecreativehouse

Low-code medical protocols automation with Mindify

03.11.2022

To ease physicians’ clinical routines, medical technologies like data collecting and analyzing software can be helpful. The company Mindify developed a solution, that helps patients while unburdening physicians at the same time. The MEDICA CONNECTED HEALTHCARE FORUM showcases various technologies to enhance healthcare and connect patients, clinics and physicians.
Read more
Image: Hand holding sushi in the background while a photo of it is displayed in the foreground on a cell phone with options for information; Copyright: envato/boomeart

envato/boomeart

Doinglab: Nutrition management with AI

02.11.2022

Watching your diet based on various health issues can sometimes be tiring. To make the process easier and help patients to monitor their intake, the start-up Doinglab developed an artificial intelligence technology that can recognize and understand food. FoodLens provides detailed information about the food with just a picture.
Read more
Image: Sleeping female patient in hospital bed with oxygen ventilator; Copyright: Wavebreakmedia

Wavebreakmedia

Breathe again: Diaphragm stimulation after prolonged mechanical ventilation

24.10.2022

For the past two years, the Greifswald University Medical Center has been collaborating in an international study in which a therapy using electrostimulation of the diaphragm is designed to wean patients off artificial respiration. The innovative system aims to achieve faster independence from the ventilator.
Read more
Image: Software shows different physiotherapeutic exercises on a display; Copyright: DyCare

DyCare

DyCare: Safe and remote rehabilitation

18.10.2022

To treat musculoskeletal disorders physical therapy is often essential to help patients suffering from chronic pain. But following a patient’s progress in physical therapy can be difficult without a matching tool. To improve rehabilitation and further personalize treatment, DyCare developed a digital rehabilitation platform called ReHub.
Read more
Image: Laptop showing an AI logo on the screen, in front of it sits a person holding a stethoscope; Copyright: M. Brombach / EKFZ

M. Brombach | EKFZ

AI-supported medical device certification: "We want electronic approvals"

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.
Read more
Image: Software shows virtual anatomical model on a display; Copyright: Virtonomy GmbH

Virtonomy GmbH

Virtonomy: Performing virtual clinical trials with a digital twin solution

04.10.2022

Virtual clinical trials can be accomplished a lot faster and conducted with more flexibility for patients than in real life. The start-up Virtonomy takes these clinical trials to the next level with the software v-Patients. With v-Patients, a digital twin can be constructed and used in silico clinical trials.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Brain monitoring software is displayed on a monitor; Copyright: Tuomas Svärd, Antti-Jussi Haapala, Jukka Kortelainen

Tuomas Svärd, Antti-Jussi Haapala, Jukka Kortelainen

Cerenion: AI software improves brain monitoring

27.09.2022

Intensive care patients need to be monitored closely in all areas. For a better overview of the brain functions, Cerenion developed software called C-Trend. With artificial intelligence, the care for intensive care patients can be significantly improved.
Read more
Image: Scientist works with medical test tube to analyze green liquid; Copyright: DC_Studio

DC_Studio

Diagnosing breast cancer through liquid biopsy

22.09.2022

Breast cancer diagnosis usually includes invasive testing with tissue biopsies. The samples have to be extracted from the cancerous tissue or cells. To make the process easier on the patients, the project LIBIMEDOTS is currently developing a different approach with liquid biopsy technology.
Read more
Image: Two hands with gloves are sticking a wearable to a patient's chest; Copyright: MediBioSense

MediBioSense

MediBioSense: Real-time patient monitoring

01.09.2022

Medical wearables become more and more sophisticated. By now, they are not only able to record vital signs. With the Vital Connect Patch, MediBioSense is offering a wearable that can be used for real-time monitoring of patients.
Read more
Image: Person in the laboratory holding cell samples under a microscope; Copyright: MICROGEN@GMAIL.COM

MICROGEN@GMAIL.COM

Molecular markers: predicting the most effective treatment for IBD

09.08.2022

Early effective treatment can help manage this condition and improve the quality of life of patients. A research project aims to identify molecular markers to better assess the chances of success of certain biological therapies and subsequently determine the best individualized treatment plan.
Read more
Image: surgical team of three people around a cardiac surgeon in an operating room looking at an echocardiogram on a screen; Copyright: westend 61

westend61

Is it a heart attack or something else? How artificial intelligence can support diagnostics

22.07.2022

Chest pain, shortness of breath, a brief loss of consciousness – warning signs that suggest a heart attack. But it might also be Takotsubo syndrome, also known as stress cardiomyopathy or broken heart syndrome with symptoms that resemble a heart attack. Yet it is of utmost importance to differentiate between the two conditions to initiate the right treatment.
Read more
Image: Chip with adipose tissue is held in place by hands in purple disposable gloves; Copyright: Berthold Steinhilber

Berthold Steinhilber

Ex vivo obesity research thanks to the adipose-on-chip system

08.07.2022

Ex vivo studies of human obesity without animal testing? The Adipose-on-Chip system offers a solution that allows scientists to gain better insights into various obesity-linked secondary diseases and comorbidities in the future.
Read more
Image: Two female researchers examine the odor of a sample in a laboratory setting; Copyright: microgen@gmail.com

microgen@gmail.com

Digital nose facilitates early detection and diagnosis

22.06.2022

Many diseases can be treated successfully if they are diagnosed early. Research into a “digital (electronic) nose” is one promising development to facilitate early detection and diagnosis. That’s because body odors and their molecular composition are an early indicator of various diseases that often remain undetected in the early stages.
Read more
Image: a group of sprinters on a running track; Copyright: sportpoint74

sportpoint74

Technology in sports – the importance of striking the right balance between unlimited power and powerlessness

08.06.2022

Wearables, smart textiles, or the oft-cited video assistant referee – technology has become an integral part of the professional sports world. But what happens when technology gains the upper hand?
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: A woman lies in her bed with dim lighting, on the nightstand is a small box that monitors her sleep; Copyright: Sleepiz AG

Sleepiz AG

Sleep screening: Sleepiz is your contactless at-home sleep laboratory

23.05.2022

People around the world suffer from sleep disorders. Some conditions like sleep apnea or chronic respiratory disease can lead to serious health problems. Patients require medical long-term monitoring, but it’s currently not an easy feat. Graduates of ETH Zurich and the University of St. Gallen plan to change that and developed Sleepiz.
Read more
Image: 3D printed finger orthosis from 3Digity; Copyright: 3Digity

3Digity

Finger orthosis: Custom fit with 3D printing

10.05.2022

Following an injury or surgery, orthotics are key components of the recovery and rehabilitation process. The University spin-off 3Digity designs 3D-printed customized finger orthoses to foster rehabilitation as custom orthotics can drastically speed up the recovery process.
Read more
Image: Black, box-like device that directs a small, blue flame towards a light switch; Copyright: Fraunhofer IST/Paul Kurze

Fraunhofer IST/Paul Kurze

Cold plasma: Contactless disinfection of surfaces

02.05.2022

One of the most time-consuming tasks in hospitals is the manual cleaning and disinfection of high touch points and surfaces such as door handles, buttons, and switches. These are areas where microorganisms are spread by direct skin contact. The “MobDi – Mobile Disinfection” research project is developing a robot that automatically cleans and disinfects these areas. It will use cold plasma.
Read more
Image: smartphone with diabetes app, in front lays the smart insulin pen; Copyright: Nico Arnold | diafyt MedTech

Nico Arnold | diafyt MedTech

Managing diabetes with diafyt thanks to self-learning and smart technology

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.
Read more
Image: Man with mask is doing sports; Copyright: PantherMedia / Marushy99

PantherMedia / Marushy99

FFP2, N95, and KN95 masks: Does wearing them affect endurance and athletic performance?

08.04.2022

Does wearing a mask diminish athletic performance? Do we fatigue faster while wearing a face mask during exercise? Our subjective perception might suggest that a mask or face covering restricts us. A study by the University of Wuppertal explored the physiological effects of wearing KN95 or FFP2 (European Union standard) face masks.
Read more
Image: Man holds hand to his back with visualized visible spine; Copyright: PantherMedia / Wavebreakmedia

PantherMedia / Wavebreakmedia

Treating chronic pain phases with an AI-powered app

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.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: A woman is sleeping in her bed, next to her a smartphone; Copyright: PantherMedia/kleberpicui

PantherMedia/kleberpicui

Respiratory diseases: "AI helps patients track symptom severity"

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.
Read more
Image: A woman with glasses and white hair is solving some tasks on a sheet of paper; Copyright: PantherMedia/microgen

PantherMedia/happysuthida

Dementia: "We want to achieve earlier diagnosis for more people"

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.
Read more
Image: Man with a VR headset on his head is exercising with a rubber tape; Copyright: videoreality GmbH

videoreality GmbH

Chronic pain: Virtual Reality helps alter pain perception

22.03.2022

The cause of chronic back pain can be hard to find. Pain sufferers are typically advised to embark on regular exercise, combined with physical therapy and pain management training to overcome potential psychological and emotional factors. Virtual reality applications could become an innovative treatment tool in this setting – targeting pain perception right in the brain.
Read more
Image: woman lying on a treatment bed performing strengthening exercises with the assistance of a medical professional standing at the side; Copyright: PantherMedia / Andriy Popov

PantherMedia / Andriy Popov

How prepared are we to treat patients with Long COVID?

15.03.2022

Most people who have been treated for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) recover completely within a few weeks. But for some people, symptoms can persist, requiring treatment for what is known as long COVID. The goal is to find better treatment options and implement them in rehabilitation centers.
Read more
Image: IT infrastructure of a man was encrypted by ransomware; Copyright: PantherMedia / Andriy Popov

PantherMedia / Andriy Popov

Increasing cyber security awareness of hospital staff

08.03.2022

Medical facilities are considered a critical infrastructure sector. Staff members must receive regular cyber security training to ensure proper IT infrastructure management and prevent shortfalls in medical care.
Read more
Image: OR where a patient undergoes eye surgery; Copyright: Universitätsklinikum Bonn (UKB)/J.F. Saba

Universitätsklinikum Bonn (UKB)/J.F. Saba

Retina chip: Implant helps with age-related macular degeneration

01.03.2022

People who suffer from partial or total loss of vision caused by illness must use assistive technology to replace their sense of sight. In recent years, implants offered hope of restoring limited functional vision. Now an innovative microchip designed to help with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is currently undergoing international testing.
Read more
Image: Surgeon is inserting a heart catheter into a patient’s body; Copyright: PantherMedia/fly_wish

Single-use catheter reprocessing in electrophysiology

01.03.2022

Catheter ablation is a way to treat irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias, like atrial fibrillation. Although catheters are classified as single-use or disposable devices, the complex instruments can be reused multiple times thanks to extensive reprocessing.
Read more
Image: two people looking at an ECG; Copyright: PantherMedia/photographee.eu

PantherMedia/photographee.eu

Diagnostics as a service: stroke prevention with the dpv-ritmo system

01.03.2022

Atrial Fibrillation is the most common type of persistent heart arrhythmia, affecting around half a million Germans alone. People with atrial fibrillation have a greater risk for ischemic stroke, making early and effective treatment critical to prevent serious complications. Unfortunately, many patients don’t even know they have atrial Fibrillation.
Read more
Image: Several medical masks as well as other disposable waste products in a trash can; Copyright: PantherMedia / Fotofabrika

PantherMedia / Fotofabrika

How to reduce plastic waste: innovative process promises recycling of single-use face masks

01.03.2022

The COVID-19 pandemic forced the use of disposable face masks. Discarding them has become an environmental challenge on a global scale. This has prompted the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE and the Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT to develop an innovative recycling process for used plastics.
Read more
Image: a smiling man stands in front of a white 3D printer; Copyright: Gabriel Salg/Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg

Gabriel Salg/Universitätsklinikum Heidelberg

Using 3D printing to create insulin-producing cells

22.02.2022

3D printing opens a world of endless possibilities – for both industrial and medical applications. A cross-national project recently created tissue that produces insulin, spelling hope for patients with diabetes.
Read more
Image: Care workers in overalls in a patient room; Copyright: PantherMedia / Wavebreakmedia ltd

PantherMedia / Wavebreakmedia ltd

Better management of hospital resources in pandemic times through DNA measurement

15.02.2022

For nearly two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has kept a firm grip on the world and caused many intensive care units to hit full capacity. It would help medical professionals tremendously if they could make a reliable prognosis the moment patients are hospitalized. cfDNA screening could play an important role in the assessment of COVID-19 severity in patients.
Read more
Image: Cartoon for the Konectom App; Copyright: Phil Hubbe/ZKN

Phil Hubbe/ZKN

Konectom: App supports self-management of Multiple Sclerosis

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.
Read more
Image: CT scan of the abdomen with two red markers; Copyright: PantherMedia/stockdevil_666

PantherMedia/stockdevil_666

Computed tomography: Digital signals with photon-counting CT

01.02.2022

Does medicine get digital when we scan in diagnostic findings and digitize them in the process? It obviously is more efficient to record data directly in digital form, but not all diagnostic tools have this option. Computed tomography has now made enormous progress in this area: Unlike conventional CT technology, the new photon-counting CT directly creates digital image data.
Read more
Image: Image showing part of an ECMO machine – a square part through which blood is channeled; Copyright: PantherMedia/Richmanphoto

PantherMedia/nialowwa

Digital recruiting – A generational issue

01.02.2022

Overworked, underpaid and – from the onset of the coronavirus pandemic – underappreciated. It is no wonder nobody wants to work in hospitals anymore. Today’s hospitals must get creative to attract skilled healthcare professionals. Facilities can use digital technologies to appeal to and hire future talent. Unfortunately, many human resources departments have not yet embraced this approach.
Read more
Image: Hand-made duty roster; Copyright: PantherMedia  / Mathias Fengler

AI: Automating healthcare workforce planning

01.02.2022

The shortage of healthcare workers is a social challenge that must be properly addressed. Pradtke GmbH teamed up with the Bochum Institute of Technology gGmbH and contec GmbH in the research project titled "AI-powered healthcare workforce planning and management" (KI-unterstützte Personaleinsatzplanung und-steuerung im Gesundheitswesen, KI-PEPS).
Read more
Image: A person with a smartphone in hand is standing in front of a computer-generated model of the liver; Copyright: PantherMedia/happysuthida

PantherMedia/happysuthida

AI-driven laboratory diagnostics with medicalvalues

25.01.2022

Lab results are often complex and not easy to interpret. For many diseases, a medical diagnosis requires the analysis and combination of different values. That’s why one of the themes at the MEDICA LABMED FORUM at MEDICA 2021 highlighted "Integrative and AI-driven diagnostics" - and illustrated how AI can help interpret laboratory results and values.
Read more
Image: A sensor with an attached cable in a man’s hand; Copyright: TU Hamburg/Institut Smart Sensors

TU Hamburg/Institut Smart Sensors

Ballistocardiography: Cardiac monitoring of astronauts

24.01.2022

It is an exciting time for space exploration: Will there be more space stations, lunar outposts, or Mars missions in the future? No matter where they are in space, lack of gravity causes astronauts to lose muscle mass during their missions. Even the fittest among them lose heart muscle. An experiment on the International Space Station (ISS) plans to detect whether sensors show heart changes.
Read more
Image: A vegan to flexitarian diet; Copyright: PantherMedia / marilyna

PantherMedia / marilyna

Climate Change: "Meat Should be Reserved for Special Occasions"

18.01.2022

The global food system today directly and indirectly impacts personal and planetary health and burdens the health care system and climate as a result. Rethinking our diet and food choices and using technology can make a lasting difference on the health of people and our planet.
Read more
Image: Charts and other analysis tools in front of the flag of South Africa; Copyright: PantherMedia / MyVector

PantherMedia / MyVector

Successful Strategies to Enter the Medical Market in Africa

11.01.2022

There are many factors to consider when you plan to enter the medical market in another country. Every country requires different market entry strategies – and countries in Africa are no exception.
Read more
Image: A person in a lab coat is holding a device with an antenna extended into a glass; Coypright: Universität des Saarlandes

Universität des Saarlandes

Coronavirus: Using odors to detect an infection

10.01.2022

Rapid COVID-19 tests can be rather uncomfortable as samples are typically collected with a deep nasal or throat swab. Scientists now explore an alternative to rapid diagnostic tests based on a patient’s breath.
Read more
Image: The Vemo System® with a patient and therapists; Copyright: Reactive Robotics

Reactive Robotics

Robotics in Intensive Care Units: "Stand Patients up on Their Feet and Let Them Walk"

04.01.2022

Robotics have made their way into many areas in healthcare. So far, intensive care units had not utilized robotic systems. Now there is an application that facilitates ICU care tasks.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: A microsensor in the eye of a man enables self-measurement; Copyright: Implandata

Glaucoma: Microimplant monitors intraocular pressure

01.12.2021

Chronic conditions require close monitoring to ensure a successful therapeutic outcome. Unfortunately, patients aren't always able to perform their own measurements and the exam intervals between appointments are frequently too long. An innovative implant is designed to address this gap in glaucoma care and treatment and enable patients to make intraocular pressure measurements on their own.
Read more
Image: Michael Eppler and his Colleague; Copyright: beta-web / Reck

New contacts, innovations and experiences – Exhibitor voices 2021

18.11.2021

Internationality, fresh ideas and innovative developments – MEDICA 2021. Exhibitors from all over the world contribute to making the trade fair an exciting event with high-quality and sophisticated products every year. Get an insight into the impressions and experiences of the exhibitors is this photo gallery.
Read more
Image: Preview picture to the video

Cardiology in the cloud – Interview with Cardiomatics Sp. z o.o.

18.11.2021

Analyzing ECG data means long, tiresome work for cardiologists, as they have to look for small indications of disease in a stream of data and recognize them correctly. Cardiomatics now brings them support from the cloud. We learn more about the AI that supports the diagnosis at MEDICA 2021.
Read more
Image: Preview picture to the video

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.
Read more
Image: Preview picture to the video

Relief through suitable nursing beds – Interview with Völker GmbH

18.11.2021

Everyday life in nursing care is often stressful. Nursing beds can help to make the day as pleasant as possible for staff and patients. Yvonne Risch, Managing Director of Völker GmbH, explains at MEDICA 2021 what influence nursing beds and other furniture can have.
Read more
Image: Preview picture to the video

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.
Read more
Image: Magdalena Höwelkröger and Lasse Radtke; Copyright: beta-web/Reck

New contacts, impressions and innovations - visitor voices 2021

17.11.2021

This year, MEDICA 2021 can once again look forward to many visitors. We asked some visitors why they visit the fair, for how many years they have been coming here and what they particularly appreciate about MEDICA. You can get to know them in our photo gallery.
Read more
Image: Preview picture to the video

Dermatologist via app – Interview with dermanostic GmbH

16.11.2021

Skin diseases can be recognized early, as they do not require invasive diagnostics. But still, many people do not visit a dermatologist – be it simply for time reasons, because they forget a check-up appointment or because they avoid doctors' offices during the corona pandemic. At MEDICA 2021, we learn how an app creates a connection between patient and dermatologist and makes diagnosis easier.
Read more
Image: Preview picture to the video

Neonatology MRI for the youngest – Interview with Neoscan Solutions GmbH

15.11.2021

To detect impairments in infants as early as possible, physicians often use MRI. However, with conventional models, infants usually need to be sedated and transported to other departments. Neoscan Solutions have developed an MRI specifically for neonatology. We learn more about it at MEDICA 2021.
Read more
Image: Preview picture of video

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.
Read more
Image: a person holding a smartphone with a digital certificate; Copyright: PantherMedia / Sorapop Udomsri

PantherMedia / Sorapop Udomsri

Healthcare: "The digital transformation has only just begun"

09.11.2021

The coronavirus pandemic has forced us to rethink the healthcare system: It gave way to contactless services over the phone or the internet. Why would we not continue to take advantage of this once the crisis will be over? The MEDICA ECON FORUM by TK at MEDICA 2021 will address this subject.
Read more
Image: Hand is holding a smartphone with an opened health app; Copyright: Health2Sync

Health2Sync

AI in healthcare: How to build a technology ecosystem

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.
Read more
Image: Man presenting something on a whiteboard to a group of people; Copyright: PantherMedia/Wavebreakmedia Ltd.

New Work in Healthcare

02.11.2021

Working remotely, flexible work arrangements, and digital tools for work support – all these aspects are part of the New Work concept. It's a term that most of us are familiar with, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. MEDICA 2021 will highlight how these concepts can be implemented in healthcare on Thursday, November 18, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the MEDICA HEALTH IT FORUM.
Read more
Image: Entrance of the Messe Düsseldorf, at the floor a MEDICA logo next to the writing “MEDICA – Welcome”; Copyright: Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann

Messe Düsseldorf/ctillmann

MEDICA 2021: Return to the fair halls!

02.11.2021

The last year was quite different, since MEDICA had to take place online due to the Corona pandemic – but in 2021 we return to the fair halls in Düsseldorf again! There are not only about 2.900 exhibitors from 70 nations expecting you, but also a rich program in our forums and conferences. We took an advanced peek on some of the exciting highlights for you in our Topic of the Month.
Read more
Image: A female nurse is pushing an elderly woman in a wheelchair through the lounge of a hospital; Copyright: PantherMedia/phovoir (YAYMicro)

PantherMedia/phovoir (YAYMicro)

Digital transitional care management - with CareNext

22.10.2021

Some patients need continued inpatient or outpatient care after they have been officially discharged from the hospital after treatment. Finding an acceptable discharge placement to ensure continuity of care is a very time-consuming process for hospitals. A team of young entrepreneurs has created a solution to this problem with its “CareNext” platform, which it will showcase at MEDICA 2021.
Read more
Image: a woman on an OR table; Copyright: PantherMedia/ArturVerkhovetskiy

PantherMedia/ArturVerkhovetskiy

Identifying risks before surgery - with simple means

08.10.2021

Risks during surgery, especially cardiological risks, are still very high in the Western world. However, conventional methods for measuring such risks before surgery are costly or even not always meaningful. And increasing economization in hospitals also makes it more difficult for staff to find time for a comprehensive pre-op analysis.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: A man in a blue shirt is sitting at his desks and performs stretching exercises; Copyright: PantherMedia/Andriy Pipov

PantherMedia/Andriy Pipov

Everyday physical activity: out of shape thanks to the Corona pandemic?

22.09.2021

Social distancing, working from home, limited social activities: the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many people to become more inactive, sedentary, and therefore more susceptible to ailments. Simple fitness programs and regular exercises can help counteract the negative effects of inertness. And paradoxical as it may sound, the pandemic also gives us the chance to get moving again.
Read more
Image: Two surgeons are standing at the control console of an OR device; Copyright: Christian Morawe/Universitätsmedizin Magdeburg

Christian Morawe/Universitätsmedizin Magdeburg

Histotripsy: fighting tumors with microbubbles

08.09.2021

Focused ultrasound waves create microbubbles in a fluid – a phenomenon called cavitation. In a current study, this process is used to destroy liver tumors and metastases.
Read more
Image: A female runner is kneeling at the roadside and using her smartwatch; Copyright: PantherMedia/I_am_Daniel

PantherMedia/I_am_Daniel

Running: how to prevent injuries with sensors and AI

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.
Read more
Image: Representation of a sensor that locates free beds; Copyright: simplinic Gmbh

simplinic GmbH

Easing the burden on healthcare personnel: bed sensors facilitate fast location of available hospital beds

23.08.2021

One lesson the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us is hospitals are short on staff and time is a most valuable and scarce resource in health care that should not be wasted. That is why it only makes sense to automate repetitive and recurring tasks that are big time wasters and keep hospital staff from doing more important work.
Read more
Image: A female physiotherapist is helping a woman during an exercise with a therapeutic rubber band; Copyright: PantherMedia/photographee.eu

PantherMedia/photographee.eu

Stroke rehabilitation: regaining arm movement with nerve stimulation

09.08.2021

Stroke rehabilitation exercises are essential to regain mobility and strength in the body. Each patient recovers lost skills and function differently. A recent study has now examined how vagus nerve stimulation with electrical impulses during stroke rehab could improve arm mobility.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: a person holding two models of kidneys in front of the body; Copyright: PantherMedia / benschonewille

PantherMedia / benschonewille

Removing kidney stones thoroughly and without residue

13.07.2021

Kidney stones are a widespread disease. In order to be able to reliably remove even the smallest remnants of them, Purenum GmbH, a spin-off of Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM, developed a gel that encloses small fragments and can then be removed without leaving any residue. This year, the product mediNiK was certified and is thus ready for the market.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: A female hospital employee is looking at patient data on a computer screen while holding a medication package in her hand; Copyright: PantherMedia/DragosCondreaW

PantherMedia/DragosCondreaW

Population health management: networking versus data silos

22.06.2021

Data silos still prevail in the German health care system: providers store and collect patient data for their own purposes, making it not available to the entire organization. Many still mainly share this data in analog form. Comprehensive, integrated delivery networks would make many practices easier.
Read more
Image: Doctor in medical gowns types on a tablet; Copyright: PantherMedia/rogerphoto

PantherMedia/rogerphoto

Accelerating digitization of hospitals through innovation

10.06.2021

Helping hospitals in Germany build a long-term digitization strategy - that is the declared goal of the young founding team of the innovation go platform, which started at the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. The project is funded by EXIST, a support program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi).
Read more
Image: An emergency operation with ambulance; Copyright: PantherMedia / HayDmitriy

PantherMedia / HayDmitriy

Point-of-care ultrasound helps in emergency diagnosis

01.06.2021

Medical emergencies require quick action and prompt decisions: Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a valuable diagnostic tool available to the emergency physician. Rather than relying on his/her gut feeling, the device answers specific clinical questions that narrow differentials. The question is, in which settings does POCUS deliver the biggest benefits?
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: artificial ventilation at a hospital room; Copyright: PantherMedia / ParStud

PantherMedia / ParStud

Making biohybrid lungs implantable

25.05.2021

Diseases can affect the lungs in different ways that can be challenging. If the lungs are badly damaged and artificial ventilation (also called artificial respiration) is no longer effective, an ECMO machine comes into play. Right now, artificial lungs reside outside the body and cannot be implanted.
Read more
Treatment table in an intensive care unit in a hospital; Copyright: PantherMedia / sudok1

PantherMedia / sudok1

Smart Expert System Assists Medical Diagnostics

12.05.2021

A current research project develops a system designed to support critical care physicians in the future. The research project "A Learning and Interoperable Smart Expert System for Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine (ELISE)" uses data collected via machine learning algorithms to assist diagnostic decision-making.
Read more
Image: a person in a brown jacket is holding a smartphone in the hands; Copyright: PantherMedia / bernardbodo

DiGA: Learning Self-Management Skills with Evidence-Based Information

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.
Read more
Image: Cell phone displays diabetes management data in an app; Copyright: PantherMedia / VIVOOO

How to Successfully Advance Digital Health Applications

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.
Read more
Image: Two hospital employees fill a shelf in a storage room with medical supplies; Copyright: PantherMedia/SimpleFoto

PantherMedia/SimpleFoto

Hospital logistics: three action steps to future success

22.04.2021

Behind every hospital are sophisticated and complex logistics that must run like clockwork to keep things going. But how good are the processes when it comes to managing patient care and hospital staff? There are many weak links that can be avoided. Comprehensive digitization and efficient, targeted healthcare workforce management are required to set up hospital logistics for future success.
Read more
Image: a female doctor is sitting in front of a white laptop; Copyright: PantherMedia  / Andrew Lozovyi

PantherMedia / Andrew Lozovyi

Digital healthcare: The point-of-care is shifting

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.
Read more
Image: A technical band aid; Copyright: Williamson Adams

Williamson Adams

Detecting atrial fibrillation early with mobile rhythm patch

08.04.2021

According to a study, a mobile rhythm patch can help detect and prevent strokes. In this interview with MEDICA, co-study leader Prof. Rolf Wachter explains how the mobile rhythm patch works and which insights the study results provide for the future.
Read more
Image: A hand is touching a three-dimensional rendering of a human skull with blood vessel; Copyright: Brainlab

Surgical planning with immersive mixed reality

01.04.2021

The job of surgeons starts long before they step into the operating room. They must use two-dimensional MRI or CT scans to plan the surgical steps on a three-dimensional patient, relying on their experience, skill, and spatial sense. Using mixed reality (MR) to view human anatomical models allows for better visualization and navigation.
Read more
Image: A man wearing a VR headset is holding a surgical instrument that is attached to a robotic arm; Copyright: Dynamic HIPS

Hip replacement: virtual surgical training with haptic technology

01.04.2021

Surgeons have only limited options to practice surgical techniques before they enter the operating room. The implantation of an endoprosthesis requires extensive practical training since it necessitates strength and utmost precision. The "Dynamic HIPS" project develops a virtual reality hip implant simulator that provides realistic haptic feedback.
Read more
Image: A sick woman in lying in bed, blowing her nose and wearing a smartwatch at her wrist; Copyright: PantherMedia/ryanking999

PantherMedia/ryanking999

Coronavirus: "A pandemic is a behavioral phenomenon"

31.03.2021

At the virtual.MEDICA 2020 trade fair, Prof. Dirk Brockmann delivered the keynote address in the MEDICA CONNECTED HEALTHCARE FORUM on digital epidemiology, which got a big boost thanks to the coronavirus pandemic. It can help us understand how human behavior influences the course of the pandemic.
Read more
Image: A woman sitting in front of a device for an eye examination; Copyright: PantherMedia/Med_Photo_Studio

PantherMedia/Med_Photo_Studio

Alzheimer's disease: early detection using an eye exam

22.03.2021

Alzheimer's disease is still incurable, but if detected early enough, countermeasures can improve treatment and slow the progression. Unfortunately, there is still no reliable early detection test at this juncture. This might soon change thanks to a non-invasive spectroscopy of the retina.
Read more
Image: View from behind at a runner in starting position, the sole of his shoe is in the foreground; Copyright: PantherMedia/Sorapop Udomsri

PantherMedia/Sorapop Udomsri

Motion analysis: wearable sensors versus laboratory

17.03.2021

In professional sports, motion analysis helps improve an athlete's performance and avoid injury. The process is complex and therefore conducted in dedicated laboratories. At the virtual MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTS CONFERENCE 2020, Prof. Stephan Odenwald explained how motion analysis could become more widely accessible in the future thanks to mobile, wearable sensors.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Pharmacist with the transparent mask miama; Copyright: iuvas medical GmbH

Miama: transparent face mask uncovers facial expressions

01.03.2021

Over 50% of our communication is made up of facial expressions and gestures. Nonverbal communication is especially important to deaf or hearing-impaired people or people with dementia. A conventional mask makes this more difficult, may promote miscommunication and contribute to medical errors in extreme cases. Yet it is paramount to use a mask amid this pandemic. Miama helps solve this problem.
Read more
Image: A long hallway in a hospital with a lot of doors; Copyright: PantherMedia/dlpn

Disinfection: antibacterial coating on surfaces in the ICU

01.03.2021

All hospitalized patients are susceptible to contracting a nosocomial infection, with ICU patients being particularly at risk. The effects of these hospital-acquired infections are often more dangerous than the original reason for the in-patient hospitalization. The "PACMAN" project is now testing an antimicrobial coating for frequently used contact surfaces at high risk of pathogen transmission.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Self-disinfecting mask and associated battery are held up to the camera; Copyright: ZHAW/Hannes Heinzer

ZHAW/Hannes Heinzer

Self-disinfecting mask: germ-free at the push of a button

08.02.2021

Disinfection and masks are essential to prevent the spread of Covid-19. Swiss scientists from ZHAW and Osmotex AG have now combined the two and developed a mask that disinfects itself at the push of a button. It is to be launched on the market as early as this spring.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: A group of researchers is discussing a chemical structural formula in front of a whiteboard; Copyright: PantherMedia/depositedhar

Intelligent implants: when the material is the key to the solution

01.02.2021

Today we use implants to stabilize or compensate for injuries inside the body and to aid in the healing process. Implants cannot act autonomously and treat the patient if they deem it necessary. However, it is just a matter of time before this happens because research on intelligent implant materials that respond to stimuli is on the cusp of a breakthrough.
Read more
Image: Two small, angular-shaped, electrical devices that are held with tweezers; Copyright: Fraunhofer EMFT/Bernd Müller

Tumor therapy: drug delivery pump instead of injection

01.02.2021

Drugs always have undesired side effects. Cytostatics are powerful drugs used to treat cancer. They reach almost all cells in the body, killing healthy cells as well as cancer cells in the process. A targeted delivery to the specific cellular site would be a gentler treatment.
Read more
Image: Patient in the intensive care unit; Copyright: PantherMedia/halfpoint

PantherMedia/halfpoint

Biostatistics: using data and models to fight Covid-19

27.01.2021

We are all familiar with these images from some countries: Completely full intensive care units, doctors working frantically despite being ill, being forced to decide who lives and who dies due to critical shortages of respirators. How can you forecast Covid-19 impact on healthcare systems to avoid overload? Biostatistician Professor Frank Klawonn studies this issue.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Smartphone with a health app in the hands of a young woman in the gym; Copyright: PantherMedia/KostyaKlimenko

PantherMedia/KostyaKlimenko

Digital Health Applications Ordinance: Fast track admission for health apps

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.
Read more
Image: A woman sits on a couch and blows into a measuring device; Copyright: Bosch

Vivatmo me: monitor your asthma treatment at home

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.
Read more
Image: Asthma monitoring device is taped to the chest; Copyright: Respia

Breathe a sigh of relief with Respia

01.01.2021

There are many different kinds of mobile devices to help people with chronic diseases. Asthma is one of those diseases, which can be monitored with wearables to improve everyday life. Especially for parents, the stress and anxiety which come with asthma-afflicted children can be reduced with a reliable solution like Respia.
Read more
Image: A surgeon is inserting a catheter into a blood vessel of a patient; Copyright: PantherMedia/chanawit

PantherMedia/chanawit

Atrial fibrillation: better outcomes with diamonds

15.12.2020

Atrial fibrillation is an irregular heartbeat that can lead to blood clots and trigger strokes. To correct the condition, physicians use medication or surgical intervention by means of catheter ablation. This surgical method on the beating heart is a standard and safe procedure but there is always room for improvement.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: three vials, one with hydrogels, one with bio ink and one with unmodified gelatine; Copyright: Fraunhofer IGB

"Cells are highly sensitive" – material development for bioprinting

01.12.2020

The big hope of bioprinting is to someday be able to print whole human organs. So far, the process has been limited to testing platforms such as organs-on-a-chip. That's because the actual printing process already poses challenges. Scientists need suitable printing materials that ensure the cell's survival as it undergoes the procedure. The Fraunhofer IGB is researching and analyzing this aspect.
Read more
Image: Microimplant; Copyright: Fraunhofer IZM

Fraunhofer IZM

Microimplants: electricity instead of pills

23.11.2020

Active implants such as pacemakers revolutionized healthcare decades ago. But they also have disadvantages: their size and relatively short life span, for example. At Fraunhofer IZM, research is therefore being conducted on durable microimplants that stimulate nerve cells electrically in a targeted manner and are even to be used to treat multiple sclerosis.
Read more
Image: Preview picture of video

The medical technology industry and the pandemic – a close look at market numbers

16.11.2020

Does the medical technology industry profit from the corona pandemic? Partly yes, but at large, it also suffers through this crisis. This is one of the topics that the industry association SPECTARIS addresses during virtual.MEDICA 2020. Marcus Kuhlmann talks about this and other topics in our video interview.
Read more
Image: A young woman is wearing a flat device made from printed electronics on her forehead; Copyright: Universität Oldenburg/Abteilung Neuropsychologie

Universität Oldenburg/Abteilung Neuropsychologie

Wearable EEG: A comfortable way to record brain activity

09.11.2020

An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that is used in cognitive research or to diagnose conditions such as epilepsy and sleep disorders. EEG electrode caps are somewhat difficult to wear, which is why they are only used in laboratories. One viable alternative are measuring devices made of printed electronics. They are more comfortable to wear and allow users to continue their daily activities.
Read more
Image: Surgical utensils lying on a table in the OR; Copyright: WavebreakmediaMicro - stock.adobe.com

Sustainable Nonwoven Solutions Improve Hygiene

02.11.2020

Whether it is hospitals or care homes - the right hygiene tools are crucial for process efficiency. These products can be composed of a wide variety of materials. NORAFIN offers a sustainable solution with products made from nonwoven fabric.
Read more
Image: empty operating room with disinfection robot; Copyright: stock.adobe.com/allensima

Disinfection: a robot nips viruses in the bud

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.
Read more
Image: The hand of a hospital employee at a device next to an intensive care bed with a patient in it; Copyright: PantherMedia/sudok1

PantherMedia/sudok1

AI predicts a patient's risk of postoperative complications

22.10.2020

Whether it is a routine surgery or a personalized surgical intervention that perhaps has never been done before: There is always a residual risk involved. That’s why hospitals monitor and supervise patient care before, during, and after surgery to be ready for immediate intervention if needed.
Read more
Image: Patient lying in a hospital bed with a monitor attached; Copyright: BEWATEC

ConnectedCare: hospital roadmap to becoming a Smart Hospital

01.10.2020

Scheduling, bed management, and menu ordering – today’s hospitals take advantage of a variety of digital services. In the worst-case scenario, each service requires a different interface to the central information system, marking a major barrier that holds back digitization. With ConnectedCare, BEWATEC shows there is a better way.
Read more
Image: A physician talking on the phone and holding a tablet computer in his hand is standing in the lobby of a hospital; Copyright: PantherMedia/Wavebreakmedia Ltd

The digitization of hospitals requires necessary investments

01.10.2020

The coronavirus pandemic has shown us we can make swift changes and handle problems if we set our minds to it, especially thanks to tools of digitization. Hospitals in Germany can expect to see a boost in digital transformation because the Federal Government adopted the "Program to Future-Proof Hospitals" (Zukunftsprogramm Krankenhäuser).
Read more
Image: Physician checks function of an arm prosthesis; Copyright: PantherMedia/belahoche

PantherMedia/belahoche

Bionic prosthesis: easy to put on, intuitive to use

22.09.2020

Patients who receive a prosthesis after the amputation of a limb often have to train for weeks or months until they can control the technology and use it in everyday life without problems. At the Medical University of Vienna, the world's first bionic prosthesis has now been developed that has a closed control loop and enables immediate, intuitive use.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: A young laboratory technician with AR glasses uses a pipette, he is surrounded by different bubbles with text; Copyright: Helbling Technik Wil AG

Augmented Reality for better laboratory results

01.09.2020

Accuracy is paramount in laboratory settings and ensures that lab results are valid. Errors in a lab can render series of tests unusable and waste precious time and money. In the medical realm, this might even result in clinical trial errors. Augmented reality (AR) can help laboratory technicians to prevent errors and guide their work in the future.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Intensive care unit with VitalSky installation over two beds; Copyright: Markus van Offern

VitalSky: how an artificial sky improves ICU patient recovery

03.08.2020

Delirium occurs in 30 to 80 percent of patients in intensive care units. This cerebral impairment not only causes mental confusion and emotional disruption but also drastically increases the mortality risk of patients. A controlled circadian rhythm and sleep/wake cycle is the prerequisite for delirium prevention. This is where the new VitalMinds concept from Philips comes in.
Read more
Image: Nurse checking surveillance monitor at the bedside and writing down patient data on a clipboard; Copyright: PantherMedia/Kzenon

PantherMedia/Kzenon

Big Data: early warning system for the ICU

03.08.2020

Patient monitoring systems in the ICU sound up to 700 alarms on average per patient per day, which boils down to one alarm every two minutes. An excessive number of them are false alarms. This generates vast amounts of data, which can make it difficult for doctors and nurses to identify the most critical alarms to manage. It also has a negative effect on the treatment of intensive care patients.
Read more
Image: A white medical face mask is coming out of a production line; Copyright: Fraunhofer IPT

Fraunhofer IPT

Personal protective equipment: ramping up medical mask production to 50,000 pieces per day

22.07.2020

Necessity is the mother of invention: While many companies have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, some were able to find the hidden business opportunities the unique situation has created. One example of how companies can benefit from the Covid-19 crisis is the production of medical protective gear.
Read more
Image: Two people wearing protective suits stand next to a workbench in a laboratory; Copyright: Fraunhofer IBMT/Foto Bernd Müller

Fraunhofer IBMT/Foto Bernd Müller

epiLab: Coronavirus testing in the mobile safety laboratory

08.07.2020

A key to preventing SARS-CoV-2 spread is frequent, comprehensive testing. This allows the early detection of infections and helps break the chain of infection. It always comes down to Coronavirus testing capacity. In Germany's southwest state of Saarland, the mobile epiLab (epidemiological laboratory) supports the search for infections lurking in nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
Read more
Image: room in a hospital; Copyright: PantherMedia / imagesupply

PantherMedia / ImageSupply

How Hospitals Can Foster Environmental Sustainability

01.07.2020

When it comes to their environmental impact, hospitals present a challenge, yet can boost opportunities at the same time. They are an environmental burden due to a higher energy use resulting from frequently outdated technology. However, once they are modernized and switch to a sustainable concept, they can turn into a "green hospital".
Read more
Image: A modernly furnished hospital entrance hall with large windows; Copyright: REGIOMED

Green Hospital: not only ecological, but holistic sustainability

01.07.2020

The REGIOMED Klinikum Lichtenfels is the lighthouse project of the "Green Hospital Initiative Bayern" (Bavarian Green Hospital Initiative), which launched in 2014 and aims to increase energy efficiency and promote sustainability in Bavarian hospitals. Lichtenfels took things one step further by constructing an optimized new building where sustainability is an integral part.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Preview picture of video

Disinfection methods of hospital drinking water - Fully automatic legionella prevention

31.03.2020

Besides hand hygiene, drinking water hygiene is also on the to-do list of every hospital. A lot of money is invested to clean water pipes and to destroy legionella germs. An alternative solution for mechanical and thermal control is water disinfection using an automatic machine.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Aerial view of the unfinished hospital in the savannah; Copyright: Dagmar Braun

Dagmar Braun

Much-needed medical technology: a hospital for Togo

10.02.2020

If life has given you many blessings, you should share them with others – and you also need to be a little crazy. That's Dagmar Braun's point of view. She initiated the construction of a hospital in Togo, Africa. The country currently lacks the system required to deliver comprehensive medical care. Surgical equipment and gynecology devices are much-needed to compensate for these deficits.
Read more
Image: person holding hand to the heart with a graphic depiction of a heart in front of them; Copyright: panthermedia.net/suriyaphoto

Cardisiography: A Non-Invasive Heart Screening Test

03.02.2020

Coronary heart disease can come as a complete surprise and occur suddenly. Cardisiography was designed to lower the risk and make faster intervention possible. As a non-invasive heart screening test, cardisiography offers the possibility of early detection for heart diseases.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: patient with pain in fingers; Copyright: panthermedia.net/Milkos

APRICOT-project: implant "help(s) patients heal themselves"

01.01.2020

Today, people tend to live longer, while an increasing number of patients suffer from osteoarthritis. Even younger generations are now at a higher risk of getting osteoarthritis due to the frequent use of mobile devices. The EU research project APRICOT aims to develop a novel type of implant for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the hands – helping patients heal themselves.
Read more
Image: the robot AV1 at school; Copyright: Estera Kluczenko

Estera Kluczenko

Robotics: an avatar to end loneliness

18.12.2019

A child who has to miss many days of school due to long-term illness? An older adult living alone or in a nursing home? The Norwegian startup No Isolation believes that nobody should have to experience social isolation, no matter how old you are. The company uses technology to help combat loneliness.
Read more
Image: diagnostic test on a table; Copyright: beta web GmbH/Melanie Prüser

beta web GmbH/Melanie Prüser

Single-use tests: sensitivity and easy use combined for diagnostics

12.12.2019

Diagnostic testing usually takes some time and a sterile environment to get the results. To cut down on the costs and effort spend on these tasks there are different diagnostic tests. One of them are single-use tests offered by SensDx S.A. The technology behind them not only makes the process faster and easier, but provides the opportunity to expand into home use in the future as well.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Preview picture to the video

Robot assisted hippotherapy – Interview with intelligent motion GmbH

20.11.2019

Nobody will expect to meet horses at MEDICA. Even though, visitors can learn more about hippotherapy that is aimed at patients with neurological deficits – for example through MS or in rehabilitation after stroke. Better yet, they can take a seat at a horseback themselves. This is possible thanks to “hirob” here at the stand of the intelligent motion GmbH from Austria.
Read more
Image: Preview picture to the video

For a strong back – Interview with Spine Care Technologies

20.11.2019

Anyone sitting too long, working at a computer or moving the wrong way has to deal with them regularly: back pain. At MEDICA 2019, Spine Care Technologies is presenting an alternative to conventional pharmaceuticals.
Read more
Image: Preview picture to the video

Better perception for young and old – Interview with MediTECH Electronic

19.11.2019

Perception varies from person to person. However, there must be a certain basis so that everyday life can be mastered without problems. Whether for young or old people, for medical practices or for use at home - hearing, balance and the ability to learn, can be trained with the products from MediTECH Electronics. We learn more about these innovations at the exhibitor's stand at MEDICA 2019.
Read more
Image: Blood sample labelled

panthermedia.net/olanstock

Cardiac diagnostics – prompt and personalized

08.11.2019

If physicians suspect an acute myocardial infarction, they first order an ECG. This test is very established and allows cardiologists to quickly diagnose acute heart attacks – though the test does not detect less common heart attack symptoms. So far, those patients had to wait up to twelve hours before a heart attack could be accurately diagnosed or ruled out. But things are about the change.
Read more
Image: two athletes at the startline for a race; Copyright: panthermedia.net/vitalikradko

panthermedia.net/vitalikradko

Sports Hub project changes sports medicine with big data and AI

22.10.2019

Professor Jarek Krajewski sat down for a MEDICA interview and delivered a detailed description of the Sports Hub project. It highlights how big data and AI transform the world of sports medicine. The project delivers new insights and provides a versatile database.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Man with mouthguard and laboratory glasses holding Petri dish up; Copyright: panthermedia.net/kasto

panthermedia.net/kasto

Cardiac Tissue Engineering: a heart out of the Petri dish

23.09.2019

For patients waiting for donor organs, every day can mean the difference between life and death. Making things even more complicated is the fact that not every organ is a compatible match with the patient. It would mean enormous progress if we could grow organs from the patient's own cells in the lab. That's why patients with heart disease place big hope in tissue engineering.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Laboratory situation - Prof. Popp shows a young man a small object in his hand; Copyright: Leibniz-IPHT/Sven Döring

Leibniz-IPHT/Sven Döring

Tumor excision: triple imaging for unique diagnostics

08.08.2019

After their tumor has been removed, some patients have to return to the hospital to undergo surgery again. That's because the tumor was not precisely identified and was subsequently not completely removed. That's both an ethical and financial dilemma. A new surgery-adjacent procedure is designed to rapidly and accurately detect tumors.
Read more
Image: A physician wearing VR glasses. An image of the human heart floats in front of him in the air; Copyright: apoQlar

apoQlar

Virtual Surgical Intelligence: Microsoft Hololens in the OR

22.07.2019

Modern imaging opens news doors to surgeries. Yet it also poses major problems for surgeons: They use two-dimensional images to navigate through a three-dimensional surgical environment, while they continuously have to switch their focus back and forth between the images and the patient. Now help is on the way in the form of interactive 3D projections and mixed reality (MR).
Read more
Image: Female surgeon in scrubs is standing in an MRI control room and looks at screens; Copyright: Medtronic

Medtronic

VISUALASE: epilepsy surgery with the laser catheter

11.06.2019

Epilepsy patients are currently treated with either medication or surgical options. The aim is to remove the distinct regions of the brain that cause epileptic seizures. Laser ablation for epilepsy is a new, catheter-based surgical procedure that is now also available in Europe, preventing patients from having to undergo open brain surgery.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Screenshot of the VR app: a small penguin sitting on the treatment table of the MRI device; Copyright: Entertainment Computing Group, Uni DUE & LAVAlabs Moving Images

Entertainment Computing Group, Uni DUE & LAVAlabs Moving Images

Gamification: how penguins help children overcome their MRI fear

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.
Read more
Image: Man on a treatment table under a radiation therapy device; Copyright: panthermedia.net/adriaticphoto

panthermedia.net/adriaticphoto

Cardiac arrhythmia: treatment in the linear accelerator

08.04.2019

Cardiac arrhythmia is a group of conditions where nerve cells trigger uncontrolled contractions of the heart muscle. They are treated with either medicine or catheter ablation of the tissue. In an interdisciplinary collaboration, cardiologists and radiotherapists took a different approach and used high-precision radiation therapy to treat a patient for whom the other options proved unfeasible.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Ellipsoid of revolution with a gold coating to detect backscattered photons from the skin tissue; Copyright: Sven Delbeck/Fachhochschule Südwestfalen

Sven Delbeck/Fachhochschule Südwestfalen

Blood Sugar Monitoring: Using Infrared Instead of Invasive Techniques

22.03.2019

Over six million people in Germany have diabetes. It is estimated that almost 400 million people are affected by this disease worldwide. Diabetes sufferers must prick their fingers several times a day to monitor their blood sugar.
Read more
Image: Leg implants; Copyright: panthermedia.net/ monstArrr

panthermedia.net/ monstArrr

Orthopedic implant: More comfortable thanks to full weight-bearing capacity

08.03.2019

Orthopedic implants – they are a necessity when it comes to congenital or acquired limb length discrepancies. However, full weight-bearing during the limb lengthening process is not feasible with previous implant models. For the first time, the 3D Surgery division at the Medical Center of the University of Munich has succeeded in using an implant that facilitates immediate weight-bearing.
Read more
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.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Woman looks at the image of an injured soccer player on a tablet; Copyright: panthermedia.net/Wavebreakmedia Ltd.

panthermedia.net/Wavebreakmedia Ltd.

Sports medicine: preventing injuries with wearable sensors

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.
Read more
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.
Read more
Image: Graphic rendering of several cells in a petri dish; Copyright: panthermedia.net/dani3315

Organ-on-a-chip systems: limited validity?

01.02.2019

Organ-on-a-chip systems are technically a great enhancement of medical research because they facilitate testing of active ingredients on cell cultures in the chambers of a plastic chip. This replaces animal testing and improves patient safety. That being said, they are not a true-to-life replication of the human body and can only simulate a few functions and activities.
Read more
Image: Glucometer next to a smartphone that shows the blood glucose level; Copyright: panthermedia.net/simpson33

DiaDigital: making sense of diabetes apps

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.
Read more