Healthcare industry

The latest articles, press releases and dossiers on medical technology in Baden-Württemberg

Medical technology is indispensible for human health and contributes a great deal to improving the quality of our lives. The field of medical technology covers many areas. These range from simple disposable products and consumables such as dressing materials and other clinical supplies, to IT-related telemedicine, homecare and eHealth systems as well as high-technology and innovative robotics, imaging, diagnostics and life-support systems. 842…

The Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Engineering IAO in Stuttgart is investigating the potential for system leaderships in computer-assisted medical technology from a holistic perspective. The project is part of the SysteMedic project.

Investments in research and development play a particularly important role in this highly innovative industry. However the introduction of innovations in reimbursement systems requires further improvements.

Press release - 10/05/2012

BVMed propounds Annual Report

The German Medical Technology Association BVMed advocates for a better coordination and promotion of advances in medical technology. BVMed the German Medical Technology Association represents more than 230 manufacturers and trade companies in the medical technology sector. Medtech production amounts to about 20 billion euros with 175.000 employees in Germany.

Dossier - 20/12/2012

Medical technology – serving healthcare

Modern healthcare would be impossible without medical technology. The achievements in medical technology are indispensable for our health and quality of life. The range of medical technology available covers surgical instruments and implants to diagnostic methods and medical devices.

Press release - 11/02/2010

Increasing expertise in medical technology

Work is now in full swing at Medical Valley Hechingen Akademie e. V. the academy founded by members of the Medical Valley Hechingen competence network on 1 December 2009. It aims to make the latest information from the medical technology enterprises involved in the competence network accessible to users companies and research institutes.

Article - 30/01/2012

Silicone application in medical technology

Silicone is flexible, biocompatible and heat-resistant, characteristics that make organosilicone compounds ideal for a wide range of applications in medical technology. Up until now, the broad application of such compounds has been hampered chiefly by the high surface friction of silicone. The Reutlingen-based company Silcos GmbH has developed special methods for the treatment of surfaces that considerably improve the compound's range of…

Article - 26/03/2010

Heinz Kurz GmbH: innovations for ENT surgery

Heinz Kurz GmbH based in Dusslingen close to Tübingen has been supplying the world with implants for use in otorhinolaryngology for around 30 years. The success of the medium-sized company is based on the high-quality materials it uses to develop its products as well as on an intensive dialogue with the users of its products. Heinz Kurz GmbH is the European leader in middle-ear prostheses, for which it was awarded the Baden-Württemberg Innovation…

Press release - 04/09/2010

Improved durability of artificial hip joints

The only way to determine minimal abrasion such as that which occurs between the two metal surfaces of an artificial hip joint with high levels of precision is to use a new test method. Dr. Jan Philippe Kretzer from the Department of Orthopaedics at the University Hospital Heidelberg developed a new test system and was awarded the German Arthritis Foundation Science Prize.

Press release - 14/02/2009

Small but effective first aider

In Germany alone around 100000 people per year suffer from sudden cardiac arrest which frequently occurs as a result of cardiac infarction serious injuries following an accident or electric shock. The job of first aiders is often impeded by the fact that it is difficult to correctly diagnose the disorder. A new first-aid sensor is now able to quickly provide information about the cardiovascular state of the injured person

Article - 06/02/2012

Ten outstanding ideas in biotechnology and medical technology

The results of the feasibility studies funded under the Idea Competition in Biotechnology and Medical Technology were presented in the Haus der Wirtschaft in Stuttgart between 16th and 18th January 2012. Ten of the 42 project ideas were recommended for further funding.

On 05.12.2013, the NMI holds a workshop in the NMI Innovation Forum in Reutlingen about "sticking and checking in medical technology in 2013." The event to innovative joining, testing and coating process for medical technology takes place from 1 till 5 pm. The application is possible till 29.11.2013. The attendance fee is 20 euros.

Press release - 23/12/2009

Zeiss to look to the future following a slump in the fiscal year 2008/2009

In the fiscal year 2008/2009 (ended 30th September), the Carl Zeiss Group clearly felt the impact of the global economic crisis, particularly in its industrial business. In contrast, results from the company’s Medical Systems, Microscopy and Consumer Optics/Optronics Groups were more positive. These figures were presented at the company’s Annual Press Conference in Stuttgart.

Press release - 25/04/2011

Aesculap posts further growth

Aesculap a provider of devices and services for surgical and interventional procedures in operative medicine achieved record sales in 2010. Sales rose to 1.28 billion euros 11 hot on the heels of a sales growth of 5 per cent during the global financial crisis in 2009. In order to meet market demand Aesculap increased the staff at its Tuttlingen site to 3000 up 200. Based on the first quarter figures that show a sales increase of 11.6 per cent…

Press release - 18/02/2010

Hartmann acquires surgical set business in Australia

The Heidenheim-based Hartmann Group has acquired the surgical set business of globally active Unomedical in Australia. The acquisition reinforces Hartmanns presence in Australia and New Zealand. Financial information on the acquisition which will come into effect on April 30 was not disclosed.

Press release - 08/05/2010

Natural movements with artificial legs

Prosthesis users find it very difficult to cope with everyday situations: artificial legs do not always work as they should and movements often tend to be fairly awkward. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA in Stuttgart are to present a motion control system that enables prosthesis users to intuitively move the prosthesis in the same way as a natural leg. The new system will be presented at…

Article - 09/12/2013

KVART – a hospital bed with built-in intelligence

Exercise is the best medicine! this was the maxim adopted by Dr. Clemens Gutknecht and Dr. Josef Schönberger when they were investigating the treatment remobilisation and care of bedridden patients. The findings of the two experienced neurologists led to the development of a concept for an intelligent hospital bed. Based on a patented technology and quantitative market potential estimates Gutknecht and Schönberger have established KVART GmbH in…

Article - 01/02/2010

wwH-c GmbH - Operating theatre of the future “Made in Tübingen”

The company wwH-c GmbH optimises surgical wards from a holistic perspective, improving their equipment, design, technology and all operating theatre-related processes, taking into account the requirements of patients and surgical staff. This optimisation covers the activities of all personnel, including those who work in preparation and post-anaesthetic recovery rooms. The ample experimental rooms designed by wwH-c GmbH are also used for training…

Article - 09/07/2009

Innovations for medical technology - the MicroMountains iNNOVATION fORUM

The second iNNOVATION fORUM for medical technology, held in Tuttlingen on June 23rd, once again enabled companies to find out about promising product ideas. The MicroMountains Network technology initiative could not have chosen a more suitable location than the city of Tuttlingen, well-known as a “world centre of medical technology”. As the biologisation of medical technology is becoming more and more common, researchers at the NMI in Reutlingen…

Article - 06/12/2010

Bioplastics – materials that have the potential to be used in medical technology

At the recent International Symposium on Biopolymers ISBP in Stuttgart scientists discussed the use of biobased plastics for applications in the field of medical technology. The majority of strategies presented at the symposium will only be ready for market in a few years time. However they give an idea as to why bioplastics are likely to be applied to a greater extent in the field of medical technology.

Article - 20/02/2012

Microporation: an innovative laser replaces jabs

People who are afraid of needles now have something to celebrate: hypodermic needles, which have long been the key instrument for administering drugs used to treat allergies and diseases as well as for vaccinations, now have a serious competitor. The minimally invasive P.L.E.A.S.E. ® platform developed by Pantec Biosolutions AG combines a laser device and stick-on patches to deliver drugs transdermally and painlessly into the bloodstream. The…

Press release - 13/03/2011

Vascular stent that dissolves on its own

The first ever implant in Germany of a bioresorbable, drug-coated stent in a cardiac patient has been carried out by physicians from the University of Heidelberg. In contrast to traditional metal stents, which remain permanently in the patients’ body, the innovative implant dissolves around two years after the procedure is carried out.