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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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A woman is wearing wearable headgear, the lumen glasses for people with visual impairments, and walking around at the MEDICA start-up; copyright: beta-web | Messe Düsseldorf

Seeing with AI and automotive technology – .lumen

11.11.2024

.lumen specializes not only in the medical sector, but also in the automotive sector. And the software start-up will be demonstrating how these two areas fit together at MEDICA 2024: they will be presenting their .lumen Glasses in the MEDICA START-UP PARK. This wearable allows people with visual impairments to navigate their surroundings independently - just like a self-driving car.
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Image: close-up of a human eye

VisioPrinTech: 3D-printed Cornea to restore eyesight

21.06.2024

The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), in collaboration with Carl Zeiss Meditec AG and Evonik Healthcare, developed a method to restore eyesight by printing a new cornea during surgery using a laser-based process with personalized bioink. The "VisioPrinTech" process addresses corneal disorders, common among the aging population.
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Image: Smart contact lens with golden lines; Copyright: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2024, DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c02289

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2024, DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c02289

A Step Forward in Glaucoma Diagnosis: 'Smart' Contact Lens

03.06.2024

Glaucoma remains a major cause of vision loss, affecting millions worldwide. Traditionally, diagnosing this condition early has been challenging due to the subtle changes in eye pressure that are hard to detect continuously. Researchers have now developed a 'smart' contact lens that could change how we monitor and detect this disease.
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Image: Optical coherence tomography in black and white; Copyright: LaNCE-Neuropharm - GIC 21/133

LaNCE-Neuropharm - GIC 21/133

Predicting cognitive progression in parkinson's patients

22.05.2024

A recent study conducted by the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and Biobizkaia sheds light on a potential breakthrough in Parkinson's disease research. The study suggests that analyzing retinal thickness could serve as a predictive tool for cognitive progression in Parkinson's patients, offering new avenues for monitoring neurodegeneration.
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Image: A medical professional in surgical gloves performs a delicate procedure on a patient's eye, who is lying down with a protective face mask and surgical drape.

Enhancing cataract surgery in the global south with AI

25.04.2024

Researchers from the University Hospital Bonn, the University of Bonn, the Sankara Eye Foundation India, and Microsoft Research India are collaborating to improve cataract surgery outcomes in developing regions. Employing artificial intelligence (AI) for video analysis, their initiative aims to address challenges faced in the Global South.
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Image: Close up of a contact lens being put into an eye

Contact lenses for early glaucoma detection

31.01.2024

Glaucoma affects approximately 70 million people worldwide and poses a significant threat to vision, often leading to irreversible vision loss if left untreated. Nearly half of those afflicted with this condition remain unaware of its presence. Typically progressing gradually, glaucoma often escapes early detection, making it crucial to develop new tools for its timely diagnosis and treatment.
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Image: A woman with gray hair and sunglasses goes for a walk with a cane. She wears a navigation belt; Copyright: feelSpace

feelSpace

Wearable for the visually impaired: Vibrations lead the way

14.12.2023

The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) have developed a contacting process with which orientation aids - and e-textiles in general - can be produced more economically and conveniently.
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Image: Eye test, machine and a woman for optometric assistance, retinal scanning or optical surgery in a clinic.; Copyright: YuriArcursPeopleimages

YuriArcursPeopleimages

Eye scans provide crucial insights into kidney health

08.12.2023

3D eye scans can reveal vital clues about kidney health that could help to track the progression of disease, research suggests. The advance could revolutionise monitoring of kidney disease, which often progresses without symptoms in the early stages.
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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: Close-up of a human gray blue eye; Copyright: David Callahan

David Callahan

Eye implant may be used to treat diabetes

27.10.2023

Researchers in Sweden have developed a microscale device for implantation in the eye, which presents new opportunities for cell-based treatment of diabetes and other diseases.
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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: Young woman in medical mask with smartphone makes a selfie; Copyright: natalyaraeva

natalyaraeva

App helps with early detection of eye diseases causing blindness

21.07.2023

Two students on the Master's Degree in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) have developed a mobile app capable of detecting in a matter of seconds whether someone is suffering from glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy or cataracts, three of the world's most common causes of vision loss and blindness.
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Image: Close-up of a female eye in purple-blue futuristic design concept; Copyright: lassedesignen/Shutterstock

lassedesignen/Shutterstock

Multiple sclerosis: new biomarker for early diagnosis

12.07.2023

A study conducted by researchers from the Department of Neurology at MedUni Vienna and University Hospital Vienna has demonstrated for the first time that diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be significantly improved by additionally measuring the thickness of retinal layers in the eye.
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Image: Device for scanning and diagnostic viewing of patients; Copyright: mstandret

mstandret

AI in eye scans: improved diagnosis of inherited disease of the retina

14.06.2023

Researchers from the UK and Germany have used artificial intelligence (AI) to develop a system that they believe will enable more widespread provision of testing, together with improved efficiency.
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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.
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Image: Cornel Amariei, a man with brown hair in a blue shirt, poses for the camera with white high-tech glasses; Copyright: Oana Graur

Oana Graur

Patent: high-tech glasses replace guide dog

07.04.2023

The technology of “the glasses that replace the guide dog” has just been patented in the USA. The European Union patent will follow, and it could well be introduced to the market during the course of next year.
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Image: A small dark box, a mobile impedance spectrometer; Copyright: Fraunhofer ISC

Fraunhofer ISC

Innovative in vitro eye irritation test to replace standard animal testing

10.03.2023

Researchers at the Translational Center for Regenerative Therapies TLC-RT of the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC want to work with partners to replace animal testing.
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Image: Immune cell trafficking in diabetic cataract formation.; Copyright: HAWK

HAWK

Imaging: role of immune cells in early diabetic cataract development

22.02.2023

The team of researchers, led by Prof. Dr. Ali Hafezi-Moghadam, Director of the Molecular Biomarkers Nano-Imaging Laboratory (MBNI), in collaboration with Professor Dr. Christoph Rußmann, Dean of the Health Campus and a Visiting Professor at MBNI, found early signs of damage in the eye before the onset of type 2 diabetes.
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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.
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Image: Noninvasive intracranial pressure meter fixed to a man's head; Copyright: EPO

EPO

Low brain pressure could be a risk factor for developing glaucoma

20.02.2023

An international team of researchers led by Lithuanian scientists provide additional evidence that intracranial pressure plays an important role in normal-tension glaucoma, which accounts for up to 50 per cent of all glaucoma cases.
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Image: Woman with ruptured blood vessel in eye, closeup; Copyright: amenic181

amenic181

AI finds twisting of eye vessels could cause high blood pressure and heart disease

16.02.2023

Research led by scientists at St George’s, University of London has discovered 119 areas in the genome that help to determine the size and shape of blood vessels at the back of the eye, and that an increase in ‘twisting’ of the arteries could cause high blood pressure and heart disease.
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Image: Close-up of the healing process of a corneal ulcer, postoperative results in vivo; Copyright: POSTECH

POSTECH

Treating cornea ulcers with diagnostic light instead of corneal transplantation

08.02.2023

Recently, a Korean joint research team from POSTECH-KKU has developed a new tissue adhesive that restores the damaged cornea by simply filling it and exposing it to light.
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Image: A contact lens prototype that is specially designed to prevent contact lens-induced dry eye.; Copyright: Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation

Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation

Contact lenses to treat dry eye syndrome

06.02.2023

A collaborative team from the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) has developed a contact lens prototype that is specifically designed to prevent contact lens-induced dry eye (CLIDE).
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Image: An elderly man sits at an eye diagnostic device and is examined by a doctor; Copyright: Beachbumledford

Beachbumledford

Controlled manufacture, storage and freezing of artificial retinal cells

25.01.2023

Fraunhofer researchers have now developed a new method for the production and clinical application of stem-cell-based retinal implants, which could contribute towards the successful treatment of AMD.
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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.
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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.
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Image: A signal receiver and a transmitter of a Cochlear implant on the palm of a person; Copyright: PantherMedia/npudov

PantherMedia/npudov

Implants: When technology makes sense – quite literally

01.12.2021

Disease, injury, or a condition you were born with – reasons why some people must live without one or several of their five senses. Fortunately, there are many modern sensory aids that help replace one sense with another, which is especially the case when it comes to vision and hearing. Given technology's advancements, can artificial or biological implants someday soon be a viable alternative?
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Image: Face and eye of a young woman in a close-up shot; Copyright: PantherMedia/Meseritsch Herby

PantherMedia/Meseritsch Herby

Implants for the senses – Hearing and seeing with technology

01.12.2021

We can replace certain functions of the body with implants nowadays, others we cannot. When it comes to the human senses, we are still quite at the beginning. The technologies and materials we can use are way to coarse compared to our nervous system. But implants can also help us to maintain senses.
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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.
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Image: Ophthalmology diagnostic device; Copyright: Heidelberg Engineering GmbH

Heidelberg Engineering GmbH

Cooperative Support for Diagnosis and Therapy in Ophthalmology

06.05.2021

Today’s imaging technologies in ophthalmology are so advanced that retinal and vascular structures in the eye can be resolved with unprecedented precision in 2, 3 and even 4 dimensions. However, interpreting the image material for a therapy decision is a complex task that requires a lot of experience. Treatment errors may have severe consequences for patients.
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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.
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Image: Computer-generated image of an arborizing blood vessel; Copyright: panthermedia.net/Ugreen

Angiogenesis: light shows blood vessels the way

03.02.2020

Regenerative medicine aims to replace damage in the body with functional tissue and restore normal function. The first defense for large defects are implants made of hydrogels, designed to promote cell growth. They need their own blood supply, which is a problem when it comes to larger implants because you cannot regulate where and how the blood vessels grow - until now.
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Image: Two screens with picture of the circulatory system in a catheter laboratory; Copyright: panthermedia.net/sudok1

MEDICA TECH FORUM: light-based imaging technique OCT

04.11.2019

Since its inception, MEDICA TECH FORUM has focused on the implementation of innovations and new technologies into clinical practice. 2019 marks the tenth year of the Forum. In honor of its anniversary, we will brighten things up a bit, as one of the focal points will highlight how optical coherence tomography (OCT) uses light to produce images.
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Image: digital capture of an eye; Copyright: panthermedia.net / cosmin momir

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

02.01.2019

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