Germany – Partner for Medical
Technology
German Cutting-Edge Research:
Keeping Eyes on Diseases
Imaging Techniques in Medicine
A picture is worth a thousand words – this is true for medicine also. Diagnostic
imaging and radiologic techniques are essential for diagnosis and treatment of
numerous diseases, especially in oncology. A lot of German research networks
are working intensely on tracking tumors or centers of inflammation in the
human body, as well as on visualizing malfunctioning metabolic processes.
Special medical equipment for breathing-independent irradiaton of lung cancer
is using 3D recording techniques like time-of-flight or other 3D methods for
surface measurement, which have been used primarily for computer games or
automotive engineering so far. In preclinical cancer and inflammatory research,
new therapeutic approaches can be tested in vivo much more efficiently and
animal-friendly by deploying molecular markers or nanoscale contrast agents.
These improvements are made possible by the scientific and technological
know-how of German scientists, who have made medical technology in
Germany an internationally renowned driver of innovation.
Between 5 and 20 percent, depending on topic area, of worldwide scientific publications
on medical technology originate from Germany. As for exports, the German medical
technology sector, with a world market share of 14.6 percent, ranks second behind that
of the USA. These outstanding results are supported by the Federal Ministry of Education
and Research (BMBF) with its topical campaign “Germany – Partner for Medical
Technology”, in order to highlight the attractiveness of Germany and its research
environment in important target countries. The BMBF fosters eight selected research
networks, including universities, institutes, hospitals, and private companies, which are
active in the field of research and transform promising research results into successful
medical technology.
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Germany – Partner for Medical
Technology
Imaging Techniques as the Engine of Medical Technology
Several participants of the campaign „Germany – Partner for Medical Technology“ focus
on imaging techniques. Especially in cancer research and treatment, image recordings of
afflicted organs are indispensable for visualizing the position and size of tumors. Surgical
intervenion, minimally invasive procedures or radiation therapy are only possible if they
can be planned precisely and if the carcinoma can be localized exactly. Single recordings
are not sufficient for that purpose. A multitude of images have to be compounded, edited
and analyzed. Molecular biology, nanotechnology, computer-aided vision, information
technology, and surgical robotics enable completely new techniques for visualizing,
reconstruction, and navigation.
Gaming technology in Medical Devices
The cluster 3-D Imaging in Medicine around the Central Institute for Medical Technology (ZiMT) at the Friedrich Alexander University of Erlangen (FAU) is developing
procedures for combining a large number of separate medical pictures into a high-resolution 3D view and for motion compensation in imaging techniques. The Bavarian
scientists integrate different 3D recording techniques like time-of-flight or structured
light, which have been used primarily for interaction in computer games or automotive
engineering so far, for compensating motions in diagnosis and therapy. This technique
enables breathing-independent radiation therapy (respiratory gating) of lung cancer,
because breathing movements can be considered while focusing on the tumor.
Prof. Joachim Hornegger developed with Dr Hoeller and other colleagues from the Central
Institute for Medical Technology techniques for processing pre-surgery as well as intrasurgery image data. CT images of the beating heart, for example, can be combined to a
three-dimensional perspective, in order to view the heart from any perspective. With the
so-called time-of-flight 3-D endoscopy the computer-scientists create real-time threedimensional images for minimally invasive procedures, which improve the orientation of
the surgeon and compensate movements of the heart or the lung. Also the use of inertial
sensor technology for artificial horizontal stabilization allows spatial vision during
surgeries under constant endoscopic view.
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Germany – Partner for Medical
Technology
Molecular Marker
The Molecular Imaging Network (MOIN) in the north of Germany also focuses on
very small particles in imaging techniques. The research network, which combines the
imaging competence of diverse universities, university hospitals and companies with
biological expertise, develops new diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for detecting
and
treating
oncological
and
inflammatory
processes.
Molecular
markers
detect
degenerated tissue within the body by docking to abnormal cells, thus uncovering them.
In MOIN’s preclinical research center “molecular imaging” is being used in small animal
imaging. With molecular markers, new therapeutic approaches and pharmaceuticals can
be tested in-vivo a lot more efficiently and animal-friendly. Together with molecular invitro diagnostics, the molecular in-vivo imaging opens up new perspectives in research
and development, diagnostics and therapy. By using in-vivo imaging, causes of disease
can be differentiated more precisely, pharmaceuticals can be chosen more exactly, and
the course of treatment can be tracked closely. Further, surgeries or radiations can be
planned accurately with the help of 3D images of tumor cells that have been visualized
by molecular markers. Degenerated tissue can be removed or irradiated completely while
preserving healthy tissue.
Also the scientists of the research network BioNanoMedTech have nanoparticles hunt
for diseases and carry out research in the field of nanoscale structures for diagnostics,
imaging techniques and new therapies. Similar to molecular markers, nanocolloids can be
used for medical imaging, in order to track the focus of disease. Recording and analyzing
nanoscale cell anatomy as well as miniaturized systems for in-vitro diagnostics can help
diagnosting diseases as well. Using atomic force microscopy, the surface of cells can be
examined by touching or “feeling” their texture. These ultrasmall traces at the cell
surface can detect telltale signs of specific cell behaviors, changes or stress reactions. By
exact quantification of these structural elements with computer vision, the efficacy or
side effects of new drug candidates or agents can be measured, with the cells acting as a
biosensor of sorts. Nanotechnology can be used in therapy also, by encapsulating
minuscule amounts of pharmaceuticals or by coating implants with nanoparticles, in
order to enhance their biocompatibility.
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Germany – Partner for Medical
Technology
Whether biomedical markers, nano- or gaming technology – thanks to state-of-the-art
technologies, excellent scientists, and a long scientific tradition, German medical
technology is among the world leaders and progresses unremittingly in the fight against
malignant diseases.
Contact:
German Aerospace Center
Project Management Agency
European and International
Cooperation
Corinna Stefani
Bonn, Germany
Phone: +49 228 3821-1372
corinna.stefani@dlr.de
www.internationales-buero.de
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FLAD&FLAD COMMUNICATION GMBH
Christine Beringer, MAS
Heroldsberg, Germany
Phone. +49 9126 275-235
christine.beringer@flad.de
www.flad.de