MEDICA: IT Equipment, Hardware & Systems
Menu

A man gives a lecture to an audience on a stage at the MEDICA medical technology trade fair; copyright: beta-web GmbH / Messe Düsseldorf

Healthcare politics at the heart of the action – German Hospital Conference

13.11.2024

The German Hospital Conference is an institution at MEDICA: For years, this conference has been bringing together decision-makers from German hospitals and associations from this sector for a professional exchange.
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: 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.
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 medical van with “Mobile Stroke Treatment Unit” written on it; Copyright: NewYork-Presbyterian

NewYork-Presbyterian

Mobile stroke units increase odds of averting stroke

03.11.2023

Receiving a clot-busting drug in an ambulance-based mobile stroke unit (MSU) increases the likelihood of averting strokes and complete recovery compared with standard hospital emergency care.
Read more
Image: A person wearing white disposable gloves examines a woman's back with a magnifying glass; Copyright: Medical University of Vienna

Medical University of Vienna

Skin cancer diagnoses using AI are as reliable as those made by medical experts

02.11.2023

An Austrian-Australian research team led by dermatologist Harald Kittler from MedUni Vienna investigated the extent to which diagnosis and therapy of pigmented skin lesions benefit from it in a realistic clinical scenario.
Read more
Image: Doctor is looking through a data sheet on his desk; Copyright: duallogic

duallogic

AI will soon be able to write doctor’s letters

08.08.2023

Around 150 million doctor’s letters are written every year in Germany. This takes precious time which could be used elsewhere. The “doctor’s letter generator”, which is currently being developed by scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems IAIS, could provide a solution for creating the document in a fraction of the time.
Read more
Image: A doctor examines a patient's left shoulder for skin cancer; Copyright: Inside Creative House/Shutterstock

Inside Creative House/Shutterstock

Skin cancer diagnosis: reinforcement learning for improved performance of AI

02.08.2023

An international research team led by Harald Kittler of MedUni Vienna has now explored a learning method in which greater accuracy in AI results can be achieved by incorporating human decision-making criteria.
Read more
Image: an intern shows an senior physician something on a tablet. The two stand on a glass gallery in a hospital; Copyright: monkeybusiness

monkeybusiness

Into the hospital of the future: data, digitization and artificial intelligence

18.07.2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) and its use is on everyone's lips right now. How AI will change and shape our future is being hotly debated. AI applications are also trending in healthcare. But before they can deliver on their huge expectations, the basics have to be met.
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: 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: 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.
Read more
Image: Preview picture of video

Sonography training – Inexpensive models from the 3D printer

23.05.2022

Many medical disciplines rely on the tenet "Practice makes perfect". Sonography diagnostics is one of them. Unfortunately, constant training can be difficult, as patients with specific diseases are not present at a hospital all the time. The University Hospital Bonn is creating a solution for this problem: 3D printed models of joints and arteries are used in training.
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 female physician is talking to a coughing man in a video meeting; Copyright: PantherMedia/Andrey Popov

PantherMedia/Andrey Popov

Telemedicine: Safe diagnostics in the pandemic - and beyond

01.04.2022

Who could have foreseen how the Corona pandemic would transform our lives? The work world has been transformed by mobile working and digital tools. Face-to-face meetings still matter, but they are not quite as important as they used to be. And telemedicine is changing how physicians interact with patients.
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: 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: Female physician is sitting at her desk, holding a sign with the words

PantherMedia/ndanko (YAYMicro)

Digital strategies to mitigate hospital staff shortages

01.02.2022

Whether it pertains to medical careers or healthcare occupations: Hospitals are struggling with a shortage of qualified professionals. The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a major strain on healthcare systems and the public has taken notice. Yet even without pandemic surges, hospital jobs have an image problem. At the same time, employee demands have changed.
Read more
Image: Female physician is sitting at a desk in front of a laptop and is taking a note; Copyright: PantherMedia/undrey

PantherMedia/undrey

Digital HR management – Help against skilled worker shortage

01.02.2022

Qualified staff is the most valuable resource in the healthcare sector. But this resource is threatened because it is under extreme strain – not only since the Corona pandemic but for many years already. Healthcare facilities could experience a dramatic aggravation of the skilled worker shortage in the coming years because of this.
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: 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 woman is getting her eyes scanned for diseases; Copyright: PantherMedia / Robert Przybysz

PantherMedia / Robert Przybysz

Deep Learning: How artificial neural networks can support diagnostics

03.12.2021

The use of artificial intelligence and deep learning in medical diagnostics is growing rapidly. Ubotica’s neural network is based on deep learning and detects the presence of diabetic retinopathy in retinal images. Dr. Holger Pfeifer talks about the project successes, and reveals the obstacles researchers must continue to overcome in adopting deep learning systems.
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: 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: Preview picture of video

Staff communication via app – Rescue Center uses smart way of information

22.07.2021

Staying in touch with your staff always, everywhere: The Malteser Hilfsdienst (a relief organization in the healthcare sector) in Mainz, Germany, use an app to keep their staff up to date. Learn more about the advantages of the app, especially for shift duty and the healthcare sector, how the app IK-up! works and how employees can contribute to topics in our video interview.
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: Preview picture of video

Simulators for learning success – VR in surgical training

06.07.2021

The most important resource in surgical education is the hands-on experience young surgeons are able to get in the OR. But the possibilities to perform surgery on real patients are very limited, and these situations cause insecurity and stress in beginners.
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: Hand of a woman holding a smartphone with an opened health app; Copyright: PantherMedia/grinvalds

DiGA: App on prescription

03.05.2021

Fostering healthy behavior, improving preventive care, and managing chronic conditions: medical apps can make personal health easier. After the launch of the Digital Healthcare Act (DVG) in 2019, Germany has turned over a new leaf in healthcare. Physicians in Germany can now prescribe digital health applications with the costs covered by statutory insurance.
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: Two surgeons with Virtual Reality headsets look at a floating model of a human heart; Copyright: PantherMedia/Gorodenkoff

Surgery in 3D: Virtual Reality in the OR

01.04.2021

Surgeons do not only have to gather theoretical knowledge and practice to perform successful interventions. They also need a good visual thinking and have to know the anatomical characteristics of each individual patient. Some of these tasks will become easier when Virtual and Mixed Reality bring three-dimensional, digital models into their profession.
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 physician in scrubs is putting on a Virtual Reality headset; Copyright: PantherMedia/Gorodenkoff

Broader perspective: how Mixed and Virtual Reality transform surgery

01.04.2021

For surgeons, nothing is more important than intimate knowledge and a spatial understanding of their operating field. Yet even three-dimensional imaging methods only provide limited assistance because the data is viewed on two-dimensional screens. When it comes to surgical planning or medical education, Mixed and Virtual Reality foster a better spatial understanding of the human body.
Read more
Image: An older man lies on the ground and presses a hand to his head, his wife kneels next to him and calls an ambulance; Copyright: PantherMedia/AndrewLozovyi

PantherMedia/AndrewLozovyi

Stroke care: When every minute counts

02.06.2020

Stroke can affect anyone – older as well as younger people. The minutes after the stroke determine whether disability or death is the result. Only if acute care, inpatient treatment and rehabilitation are carried out in a targeted and effective manner, the chances are greater that only minor damage remains or that impairments even recede.
Read more
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.
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: 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.
Read more
Image: Connection of medical devices; Copyright: panthermedia.net/everythingposs

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

01.10.2019

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

Sports medicine - performance values in best health

01.07.2019

Those who integrate physical activities into their own lifestyle live healthier and more balanced. But where are the physical limits? Can health status measurements also be carried out on the road? Discover more about how sports medical examinations contribute to maintain performance and minimize health risks in our Topic of the Month.
Read more
Image: High jump of an athlete; Copyright: panthermedia.net/Moodbaord

Training and rehabilitation: fit thanks to hover technology

01.07.2019

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

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

01.02.2019

So far in vitro methods and animal experiments have been used to determine the causes of diseases, research therapeutic approaches and predict the effect of drugs. Organ-on-a-chip models now offer a more accurate and ethically justifiable alternative. Find out more about the models, their advantages and future developments in our Topic of the Month.
Read more
Image: Cell cultivation in a Petri dish; Copyright: panthermedia.net / matej kastelic

Organ-on-a-chip – Organs in miniature format

01.02.2019

In vitro processes and animal tests are used to develop new medications and novel therapeutic approaches. However, animal testing raises important ethical concerns. Organ-on-a-chip models promise to be a feasible alternative. In a system the size of a smartphone, organs are connected using artificial circulation.
Read more
Image: Woman with diabetes and a sensor; Copyright: panthermedia.net / Click and Photo

Blood glucose monitoring of tomorrow - modern diabetes therapies

02.01.2019

There are 425 million people with diabetes in the world. Heart problems, kidney failure or blindness - these can all be consequences of the metabolic disease. Diabetes patients now have the possibility of being treated digitally.
Read more
Image: Woman at the table operating a smartphone and surrounded by utensils for diabetes therapy; Copyright: panthemedia.net/Lev Dolgachov

Diabetes digital – smart support for diabetics

02.01.2019

Monitoring blood sugar levels, counting carbohydrates, calculating insulin doses, and keeping accurate records - diabetes is a data-intensive disease that demands a lot of self-discipline and attention from the patients. Some concerns are patients neglecting to keep a food journal, "fudged" test results or calculation errors. Digital solutions help patients easily manage the large volumes of data.
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