... Healthcare industry BW

Robotic control of surgical instruments using magnetic resonance imaging

Catheter-based examinations and surgical procedures are severely limited by the restricted controllability of conventional instruments and harmful radiation exposure to both patients and medical staff caused by prolonged exposure to radiation during fluoroscopy. EndoSurge, a Stuttgart-based start-up, has developed innovative robotic microcatheters that can be precisely controlled using the magnetic field of an MRI device. This breakthrough enables radiation-free interventions, significantly enhancing safety and precision in catheter-based procedures.

... Healthcare industry BW

Targeted, virus-free gene therapy for the eye using degradable nanopropellers

Eye diseases that result in blindness in young people are primarily caused by genetic mutations. An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the Universities of Tübingen and Heidelberg is developing an innovative gene therapy method using biodegradable, magnetic nanopropellers. These innovative nanopropellers can effectively deliver intact genes into the affected cells, offering a potential solution for treating genetic disorders of this kind.

... Healthcare industry BW

New medical device marking requirements and regulations in Great Britain

Since Brexit, additional regulations for medical devices have come into effect in Great Britain, i.e. England, Wales and Scotland. Although the transition periods have been extended, medical device manufacturers should familiarise themselves with the new conformity marking requirements. EU medical device regulations will continue to apply in Northern Ireland.

... Healthcare industry BW

Learning from Nature for Innovation

Natural phenomena are used to find technological solutions in a number of fields. In an interview with BIOPRO, Prof. Dr. Peter M. Kunz discusses groundbreaking innovations emerging from Baden-Württemberg and shares insights on how the principles of bionics can inspire the next generation of innovators.

... Healthcare industry BW

sync2brain: using magnetic waves to combat depression

In cases where standard therapies for mental illnesses such as depression prove ineffective, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) offers a promising alternative. This method uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific regions of the brain. The Tübingen-based company sync2brain has developed a system called ‘bossdevice’ that leverages EEG measurements to tailor this stimulation to each patient's unique brain wave patterns, something that may significantly enhance the therapy's effectiveness.