On the move at MEDICA 2023 – PHYSIO TECH highlight tour
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Image: High-tech operating room with a large robotic arm; Copyright: Fraunhofer IPA

Fraunhofer IPA

The role of 5G technology in hybrid operating rooms

13.12.2024

The 5G-OR project, an international collaboration between German and French research teams, is exploring how 5G and AI technologies can enhance the safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of surgeries. By developing high-tech hybrid operating rooms, the project paves the way for remote surgeries, improved patient monitoring, and real-time data exchange.
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Image: Person wearing VR glasses and practicing a surgical procedure with a robotic arm in a simulation; Copyright: TH Köln / Turhan Civelek

TH Köln / Turhan Civelek

Realistic surgical simulations with AI, VR and haptics

10.12.2024

A VR training environment with haptic feedback is intended to realistically depict surgical situations and allow risk-free training of surgical procedures. Prof. Björn Krüger describes the goals of the VIRTOSHA research project.
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photo: astronaut in the space; Copyright: DLR

DLR

How we benefit from space medicine on Earth

09.12.2024

Many of us don't even realize how much impact space medicine research has had on the development of cutting-edge medical technologies used on Earth. Telemedicine, robotics and miniaturization in particular have made great strides through innovations for space.
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Image: Medical plate to assist with securing the surgery field; Copyright: Osaka Metropolitan University

Osaka Metropolitan University

Simplified approach to securing the surgical field with a plastic device

22.11.2024

Robot-assisted heart surgeries traditionally require an assistant to ensure the surgeon has adequate room to maneuver the robotic arms through small incisions. To address this dependency, researchers from Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a surgical field expansion plate that offers surgeons greater independence during procedures.
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Image: Person wears an exoskeleton for the leg that can support and relieve strain during movements.

Robotic shorts "WalkON" make walking easier and promote mobility

22.11.2024

With “WalkON”, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has developed robotic shorts that support people when walking and jogging by reducing the amount of energy required. The wearable technology, which can increase mobility and quality of life, is intended to benefit older people or people with health problems in particular.
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Surgical staff standing next to a person on a stretcher in the operating room, with a robot-assisted system to the right; Copyright: Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen / Ralf Baumgarten

Fraunhofer ILT, Aachen / Ralf Baumgarten

Robotically assisted laser procedure for spinal surgery

01.11.2024

In spinal canal stenosis, bony growths narrow the spinal canal, which often leads to chronic pain or paralysis in patients. Around 111,000 of these operations are performed in Germany every year, with surgery often being the only solution.
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Image: Two men standing next to each other, each holding a pair of VR glasses; Copyright: Rolf Müller/Universitätsklinikums Bonn (UKB)

Rolf Müller/Universitätsklinikums Bonn (UKB)

VIRTOSHA: Training in surgery using VR technology

13.09.2024

A research team from Bonn University Hospital, Cologne University of Applied Sciences and other partners is working on the VIRTOSHA project, which is developing a virtual reality training environment for surgical procedures.
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Image: Robots interacting with people in a room; Copyright: University of Stuttgart, Institute for Artifical Intelligence

University of Stuttgart, Institute for Artifical Intelligence

Robotics Institute Germany: Progress through AI-based robotics

29.08.2024

The newly founded Robotics Institute Germany (RIG) has started its work. The aim of the consortium, led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), is to establish Germany as the world's leading location for AI-based robotics. The project is being funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research with 20 million euros.
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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.
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Image: Robot in the foreground in a research laboratory; Copyright: Andreas Heddergott / TUM

Andreas Heddergott / TUM

GARMI: Assistance robot with diverse capabilities

18.07.2024

Care robot GARMI from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) is becoming increasingly versatile and intelligent. It combines various skills, supports people in their everyday lives and enables telemedical examinations.
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Image: Researchers are testing the tactile Internet with a robot arm.

Andreas Heddergott / TUM

Transmitting the sense of touch over the internet: new HCTI standard

25.06.2024

The Technical University of Munich (TUM), in collaboration with an international consortium, has released the "Haptic Codecs for the Tactile Internet" (HCTI) standard after eight years of work. This standard enables the transmission of the sense of touch over the Internet, similar to JPEG for images or MP3 for audio.
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Image: A service robot moves through a double door in the surgery department of a clinic; Copyright: LMU Klinikum

LMU Klinikum

Make way for rolling assistants! More robotics within hospital logistics

11.06.2024

Increasingly, hospitals are faced with the task of working efficiently despite staff shortages and cost pressure. Increasing automation, which is already widespread in other sectors, could offer solutions. While attention on medical robotics has been focused primarily on highly specialized tasks in the operating theatre, handling logistical tasks in hospitals is becoming increasingly important.
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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.
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Image: Two researchers are standing side by side, smiling for a photo in a bright corridor with windows, likely within a university or research facility; Copyright: CHUM

CHUM

Liver cancer treatment: Utilizing magnetic field-guided microrobots

12.04.2024

A new medical technique utilizing magnet-guided microrobots for treating liver tumors has been developed by a Canadian research team, offering a potential new approach in oncology.
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Image: The picture shows a woman from behind who has a scar on her right shoulder. The background is neutral.

Advancing surgical precision: ROSA shoulder system

18.03.2024

Zimmer Biomet, a leading medical technology company, has achieved a significant milestone with the FDA clearance of its ROSA Shoulder System for robotic-assisted shoulder replacement surgery. This innovation marks the world's first robotic surgery system specifically designed for shoulder replacement procedures.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Assistance technologies for the care sector

05.02.2024

The care sector is facing major challenges: Demographic change, the shortage of skilled workers and the physical demands of the profession will make it increasingly difficult to maintain good care in the future. The CareTech OWL research network at Bielefeld University aims to find solutions to this.
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Image: Surgical staff bend over a patient in the operating room; Copyright: DragonImages

DragonImages

Exoskeletons in the operating room

16.01.2024

Exoskeletons have made their way into the workforce. With their capability to relieve muscles while still maintaining agility, they make a welcome support for employees across industries. In the medical sector, exoskeletons are mostly being used for rehabilitation. But there is a field of use that could benefit from exoskeletons in the future: the operating room.
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Image: Robotically controlled rotating magnetic field to control the millirobot wirelessly through an aorta and kidney; Copyright: University of Twente

University of Twente

Miniature marvels: wireless millirobots successfully navigate arteries

18.12.2023

For the first time ever, wireless millirobots navigated a narrow blood vessel both along and against arterial flow. Researchers from the University of Twente and Radboudumc inserted the screw-shaped robots in a detached aorta with kidneys where they controlled them using a robotically controlled rotating magnet.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Image: Female engineer in laboratory clothing inspects a small circuit board; Copyright: wosunan

wosunan

Microrobots: opportunities for cancer treatment and wound healing

18.09.2023

A group of researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has developed the world’s first microrobot (“microbot”) capable of navigating within groups of cells and stimulating individual cells.
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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.
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Image: In the picture you can see a lotus leaf with water two hands in gloves and the product. ; Copyright: National University of Singapore

National University of Singapore

Nature-inspired pressure sensing technology aims to transform healthcare and surgical robots

22.08.2023

NUS researchers have developed 'eAir', an innovative pressure sensor inspired by the lotus leaf effect. This sensor could revolutionize minimally invasive surgeries by providing tactile feedback to surgeons and improve patient experiences in monitoring intracranial pressure. Its unique design enhances precision and reliability, potentially transforming various medical applications.
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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.
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Image: A woman in a pink dress, Franziska Mathis-Ullrich, poses next to a surgical robot; Copyright: FAU/Georg Pöhlein

FAU/Georg Pöhlein

FAU: research project about robotic assistance systems receives funding

03.08.2023

In the “ForNeRo – Seamless and Ergonomic Integration of Robotics into the Clinical Workflow” research network, researchers from FAU and five other research institutions and five companies are developing methods for integrating robotic assistance systems for surgical applications using intuitive interfaces in the operating room.
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Image: 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.
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Image: Patient wearing a prosthetic arm directly attached to the skeleton and neuromuscular system; Copyright: Chalmers University of Technology

Chalmers University of Technology

Bionic hand: surgical and engineering innovations enable unprecedented control

21.07.2023

For the first time, a person with an arm amputation can manipulate each finger of a bionic hand as if it was his own. Thanks to revolutionary surgical and engineering advancements that seamlessly merge humans with machines, this breakthrough offers new hope and possibilities for people with amputations worldwide.
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Image: Professional technician testing robotic bionic arm at prosthetic manufacturinge; Copyright: 1footage

1footage

Digitization, AI, robotics: how healthcare will change over the next 50 years

07.07.2023

A study by researchers at Mälardalen University (MDU) describes what our future healthcare industry may look like.
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Image: Patient and doctor are looking at and discussing the x-ray of a spine; Copyright: Pressmaster

Pressmaster

AI supports rehabilitation after spinal cord injury

05.07.2023

An intelligent suit is hoped to significantly improve rehabilitation after a serious spinal cord injury. The AI-supported solution will be developed over the next three years by researchers from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) working in collaboration with Heidelberg University and Heidelberg University Hospital.
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Image: Illustration of an evolutionary development from a natural pangolin to an pangolin-inspired robot; Copyright: MPI-IS

MPI-IS

Medical robot inspired by the pangolin

26.06.2023

Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart have developed a magnetically controlled soft medical robot with a unique, flexible structure inspired by the body of a pangolin. The robot is freely movable despite built-in hard metal components.
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Exoskeletons for everyday use: Non-invasive method for controlling prostheses

26.05.2023

Modern prostheses are already smart, but they still have their limits. The Assistive Intelligent Robotics Lab at FAU is therefore also researching an intuitive and non-invasive method for controlling prostheses. In our interview, those involved tell us exactly what they are working on together with neurologists and surgeons from the Erlangen University Hospital.
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Image: The carrier of the ARM2U team, Kyle Briggs, competing with the prosthesis at a Cybathlon 2023 event; Copyright: BarcelonaTech (UPC)

BarcelonaTech (UPC)

Low-cost robotic arm created by students as an alternative to conventional prostheses

25.05.2023

A low-cost robotic arm created by students as an alternative to conventional prostheses: The ARM2u biomedical engineering team, from the UPC’s Barcelona School of Industrial Engineering (ETSEIB), is working on new functions for their low-cost 3D-printed transradial prosthesis.
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Image: Schematic illustration: The proposed robotic bronchoscope system for navigation-assisted intervention; Copyright: Cyborg and Bionic Systems

Cyborg and Bionic Systems

Novel robotic bronchoscope system for navigation and biopsy of pulmonary lesions

19.04.2023

A novel robotic bronchoscope system can non-intrusively access the area of interest within the lung for minimally invasive pulmonary lesions sampling, the gold standard of lung cancer diagnoses.
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Image: Virtual 3D illustration showing robotic arms operating on a brain; Copyright: Petra Ritter/BIH

Petra Ritter/BIH

European test infrastructure for AI and robotics in healthcare

09.03.2023

The Fraunhofer Heinrich-Hertz-Institut (HHI) is part of the EU project TEF-Health (Testing and Experimentation Facility for Health AI and Robotics), which aims to establish a test infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in healthcare.
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Image: Female physician is looking at an X-ray image of the human skull; Copyright: stevanovicigor

stevanovicigor

ENT surgery: minimally invasive and robot-assisted procedures

27.02.2023

The ear, nose and throat are full of tiny structures, and each plays an important role in the health of a person. The inside of the ears makes it possible for us to hear, while the inside of our nose enables us to smell. The larynx contains the vocal cords, which allow us to speak and stay connected to the outside world.
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Image: A surgeon checking the surgical procedure again on a monitor; Copyright: svitlanah

svitlanah

HEARO cochlear implantation – microsurgery via robot

27.02.2023

Until now, robots have assisted surgeons in the operating room to enhance their capabilities. CASCINATION is a Swiss medical device company who has teamed up with MED-EL – the Innsbruck-based hearing implant company – to develop a system that can perform an autonomous cochlear implantation. Since then, HEARO has been successfully used – including at the Medical University of Vienna (MedUniWien).
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Image: Nose surgery performed on a woman; Copyright: GabiStock

GabiStock

ENT surgery – Interventions for speech and hearing

27.02.2023

Speaking and hearing are the two most important abilities that connect humans to their environment. If they get limited through disease or injury, it is all the more important to restore them as broadly as possible. Depending on the cause for their limitation, there are different surgical treatment possibilities. We take a look at current methods in our Topic of the Month.
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Image: A man in a blue suit during a demonstration of a massage robot in a clinic workshop room; Copyright: Nanyang Technological University

Nanyang Technological University

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

20.02.2023

Singapore robotics firm AiTreat will be embarking on a new product evaluation in the United States for their massage robot powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Mayo Clinic, USA.
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Image: 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.
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Image: Patient testing a brain-computer interface developed by Charité to control an exoskeleton hand; Copyright: AG Klinische Neurotechnologie, Charité Berlin

AG Klinische Neurotechnologie, Charité Berlin

Controlling neural exoskeletons more precisely with diamond sensors

02.02.2023

In the recently launched NeuroQ lighthouse project, the project partners develop highly sensitive diamond-based quantum sensors that will enable paralyzed people to control neural exoskeletons more precisely.
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Image: Fictional 3D illustration of three robotic arms operating on a human brain, Copyright: Petra Ritter / BIH

Petra Ritter / BIH

€60 million committed to establish AI and robotics in healthcare

11.01.2023

The EU project TEF-Health aims to test and validate innovative artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics solutions for the healthcare sector and accelerate their path to market.
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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?
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Robots – helping hand in the hospital

17.11.2022

Robots have already been part of our everyday live for some time now, whether in our private life or at many workplaces. But how can the automatic helpers be helpful as an assistant in everyday hospital life? We got to know some great ideas at MEDICA 2022.
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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.
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Home for medical technology – Highlight tour at the joint stand of NRW

16.11.2022

North Rhine-Westphalia offers good conditions as a location for medical technology companies. We spoke to Refined Laser Systems GmbH, United Robotics Group GmbH and weLLgo Medical Products GmbH during our tour of the NRW joint stand in Hall 3 / C80.
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Image: A medical professional places their hands on a table and holds a stethoscope. One of their hands is a myoelectric prosthesis; Copyright: LightFieldStudios

LightFieldStudios

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

04.10.2022

Overall technical progress does not stop at the operating rooms of this world. Whether it's completely new ideas or robotic optimizations of classic methods – research teams are coming up with contemporary answers to long-standing questions using the diverse possibilities of the present day.
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Image: The arms of an endoscope; Copyright: Madeleine Waltner

Madeleine Waltner

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

04.10.2022

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

GabiStock

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

04.10.2022

A successful endoscopic intervention hinges on two key factors: the endoscope must have excellent maneuverability and high structural rigidity. Unfortunately, today's devices cannot meet both requirements at the same time. Tim-Lukas Habich wants to change that by bridging the gap between flexible and rigid robots.
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Image: 3D rendering of an operating room with C-arm and robotic-assisted surgery system; Copyright: tridsanu

tridsanu

Accessing the surgical area: Digitization is coming to the OR

01.10.2022

Innovative medical technology is driving the digitization of healthcare institutions and is opening a world of possibilities. This is especially the case for minimally invasive robotic-assisted surgery.
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Image: Dr. Maximilian Kückelhaus presents the new method in a dry-run training session with an operations robot ; Copyright: WWU - Peter Leßmann

WWU - Peter Leßmann

First completely robot-supported microsurgical operations on humans

24.08.2022

A team led by Dr. Maximilian Kückelhaus and Prof. Tobias Hirsch from the Centre for Musculoskeletal Medicine at the University of Münster has carried out the first completely robot-supported microsurgical operations on humans.
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Image: Cleaning staff at a hospital is wiping the floor of an OR; Copyright: karrastock

karrastock

Disinfection: Solutions to stop pathogens from spreading

02.05.2022

Disinfection and sterilization are the most reliable and best way to ensure patient safety in healthcare settings. Whether it is at the point of care when the patient is either at the hospital or medical practice, or wherever medical devices are manufactured and packaged in a sterile environment – the transmission of pathogens and microorganisms can have severe health impacts.
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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.
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Image: A young woman with a fever thermometer sits in front of her laptop and has an online conversation with her doctor; Copyright: PantherMedia/Andriy Popov

PantherMedia/Andriy Popov

Telemedicine as an alternative: contactless and secure diagnoses

01.04.2022

Concrete diagnoses are the be-all and end-all in medicine. The Corona pandemic made the conditions for good diagnostics more difficult. Telemedicine offers an alternative - not only in times of pandemic. It is important to exploit the full potential of technical possibilities. Robot-assisted examinations and artificial intelligence can make an important contribution to symptom recognition.
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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.
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Digital and automated laboratory – Robots as multifunctional helpers

26.11.2021

A lot of laboratory tasks require high precision on one hand, on the other they tend to be repetitive and tiring. While humans can only work for a limited time here while staying effective, robots are able to work without taking a break. The start-up bAhead wants to make collaborative robots, CoBots, adaptable helpers with the help of AI. We learn more from CEO & Founder Rainer Treptow.
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The laboratory industry between Corona and AI

17.11.2021

The laboratory industry is currently in commotion: the whole world is watching when it comes to news from the Corona pandemic. But tests and the sequencing of new variants are not the only stress factors: robotics, networking and AI are finding their ways into laboratories and turn existing processes upside down. We talked to some of the exhibitors at MEDICA 2021 about this.
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Precision work in the operating room – Minimally invasive surgery at MEDICA 2021

16.11.2021

The smaller the surgery, the more precise it has to be. That's why surgeons need high-precision technology for minimally invasive procedures. Robots are often already used in the OR to perform surgery with millimeter precision. At MEDICA 2021, we learn more about the status quo of technology that enables minimally invasive procedures.
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Image: The KUKA robot sorts blood samples according to the color of their cap; Copyright: LT Automation

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

Fast, accurate, automatic: Simplifying workflows with laboratory robots

01.10.2021

Unpacking and sorting of blood samples from general practitioners is a monotonous and time-consuming task. The Aalborg University Hospital has now automated the process: Up to 3000 blood samples every day are unpacked and sorted by two lab robots provided by LT Automation. Furthermore, the samples are temperature monitored and tracked, using the Intelligent Transport Boxes.
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Image: Participant trains in the Ekso GT during an inpatient gait training session; Copyright: Kessler Foundation

Kessler Foundation

High-dose gait training with robotic exoskeleton after acute stroke

09.08.2021

Preliminary findings by Kessler researchers show that the use of a robotic exoskeleton during inpatient rehabilitation for acute stroke may improve function. Gait training in the robotic exoskeleton can provide high-dose therapy soon after stroke, when it is likely to have its maximal effect on functional ambulation.
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Image: a cardiac catheter robot in an OR; Copyright: Universitätsklinikum Freiburg 2021

Universitätsklinikum Freiburg 2021

Bringing stents precisely to their destination with cardiac catheter robots

02.08.2021

Robots in the operating theatre are no longer a rarity in certain medical fields - they support and relieve doctors and sometimes they can make operations more efficient and easier with artificial intelligence (AI). However, they are rarely found in the operating theatre during cardiological interventions.
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Mobile hygiene robot in the hospital – The cleaning force of the future

25.05.2021

One of the most time-consuming tasks in a hospital is the disinfection of often-used surfaces like light switches or door handles. This is especially important during the corona pandemic. The "DeKonBot" by Fraunhofer IPA could support hospital staff here in the future. Learn in our video interview with Dr. Birgit Graf how the robot works.
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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.
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Image: a man and a roboter in the theatre; Copyright: PantherMedia/ekkasit919

PantherMedia/ekkasit919

Exploring possible applications of robotic surgery

09.03.2021

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

Necessity is the mother of invention – innovations in the corona pandemic

01.03.2021

Keeping your distance, washing your hands, wearing a mask – such protective measures have been the order of the day since the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic began. But appropriate products or procedures are not suitable for everyone, are often unavailable or, despite everything, carry a residual risk. The need for new, better solutions is high. But necessity is the mother of invention.
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Image: Laboratory robot Kevin; Copyright: Fraunhofer IPA

Fraunhofer IPA

Alone in the lab – robot Kevin relieves the staff

08.12.2020

If Kevin was alone in the lab at night, the next morning, the workers will not find chaos, but labeled tubes and prepared samples. Kevin is a laboratory robot developed by Fraunhofer IPA to relieve the strain on laboratory workers so that they can concentrate on the essentials: research and diagnostics.
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Robotic arms in the operating room – When the surgeon can work in a sitting position

23.11.2020

Surgeons do not only need much concentration, but also strength and endurance. Robotic arms under their control can do part of this work. Prof. (Saitama Med. Univ.) Dietmar Stephan from the St. Marien Hospital Siegen describes in our video, how controls and haptic feedback can make surgery with a robot easier.
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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.
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Image: Connected areas of a treatment displayed as icons; Copyright: PantherMedia/Sonar

The digital hospital: integration and digitization

01.10.2020

Whether it's process automation, robotics in the OR and nursing areas, or the digitalization of patient records - in a smart hospital, everything comes together to form a connected hospital. Find out exactly how the Smart Hospital is being developed with the help of information platforms and projects in the Topic of the Month.
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Smartlab – Robotics and automation in the laboratory

15.09.2020

Some tasks in the laboratory are repetitive, need to be done extremely precise and require a lot of time. Such tasks are very tedious for humans, but they are tailor-made for robots. Such is the case with the "AutoCRAT" project at the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology IPT in Aachen. Here, a robotic platform is developed to produce stem cells for the treatment of osteoarthritis.
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Image: 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.
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Image: View into a device that automatically processes laboratory samples; Copyright: PantherMedia/Sonar

The laboratory 4.0: networked analyses

01.09.2020

There is likely no other branch of medicine where you can find as many high-tech devices as in modern laboratories. A major part of diagnostic and biomedical research is done here. A lot of individual steps in work processes need to be followed precisely to ensure the results’ quality. Also, a lot of data is generated here.
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Stroke therapy of the future: Stimulating entire networks

19.08.2020

The Neurological University Hospital in Tübingen is a world leader in research on TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation). In this report you will learn how the stroke therapy, which is always complemented by physiotherapeutic treatment, is being developed from a punctual to an entire network treatment in the brain.
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Image: View of a robot-mounted system from above; Copyright: panthermedia.net/wedmov

Robots in the Operating Room: Improving Training and Safety

04.05.2020

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

Innovative Robotic-Assisted Surgical Systems

04.05.2020

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

Robotic-Assisted Surgery with the daVinci-System

04.05.2020

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

Robotics in the OR: Relieving the surgeon

04.05.2020

In the operating room, minimally invasive procedures are increasingly used. Robot-assisted systems are a great help for the surgeon. They support the surgeon and are extremely precise. Through innovative research approaches, robotic systems are constantly evolving.
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Image: doctor consoles patients before surgery; Copyright: panthermedia.net/luckybusiness

Endoprosthetic surgery: modern and traditional approaches

01.01.2020

Surgery is required if you need an artificial joint. Patients and doctors must select the type of surgery that’s best suited and choose between robot-assisted, traditional or minimally invasive surgical approaches. Post-operative risks should be kept to a minimum, while benefits should outweigh any possible complications.
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Image: 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.
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Hightech solutions for hygiene, disinfection and sterilisation

21.11.2019

Hightech solutions for hygiene in the medical sector have been getting better and faster. There are not only machines that can disinfect everything by themselves, but there are portable and handy sterilisation solutions as well. At MEDICA 2019 you can find everything that is up-and-coming around medical hygiene.
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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.
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