Partnership key to innovation

On 17 October, 2024, the 16th Innovation Forum Medical Technology brought together over 500 experts from science, industry and education in the Tuttlingen town hall, and Furtwangen University used this setting to present pioneering projects. The event provided a valuable platform for exchanging views on current developments in medical technology, promoting the formation of new partnerships, constructive discussions and innovative ideas.

HFU was represented with three specialist presentations that underlined the university's innovative strength in key technological areas. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Hans-Georg Enkler, Vice-President for Learning and Diversity, together with Kai-Jonas Bock, co-founder of VIRTUAPIXEL, presented initial approaches for a virtual reality training platform for surgical assistants. The project, entitled OpTA-VR, aims to support training in the medical field through realistic simulations and illustrates HFU's role as a pioneer in the development of digital learning environments.

Another presentation by Prof. Dr. Martin Haimerl highlighted the use of simulation technologies to optimize test results in medical technology. In the lecture session “MTNTM - Medical Technology's Next Topmodel is Simulation”, he showed how statistical simulations can be used to make development and production processes more efficient. Haimerl made it clear how simulation technologies play a key role in the future of medical technology. They make it possible to implement product developments in a new way that is geared towards efficiency, precision and innovation. They therefore make a significant contribution to optimizing the entire value chain.

Dirk Obergfell, academic staff member at the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (KSF) at Furtwangen University, gave a presentation on “Innovative micro- and nanostructuring for improved functionality of surgical instruments” as part of the InnoCamp. The focus was on laser structuring techniques that create superhydrophobic surfaces with the so-called lotus effect on surgical instruments. The use of ultrashort pulse lasers (USP lasers) creates precise micro- and nanostructures that promote the beading of liquids, making cleaning easier and significantly improving hygiene in clinical applications.

In its contributions, HFU highlighted the central importance of digitalisation, innovative manufacturing processes, increased efficiency and resource-saving production methods. At the same time, it focused on sustainable materials and technologies. Through the targeted use of state-of-the-art processes, HFU strives to continuously optimise training and product development while taking ecological aspects into account in order to create sustainable and future-oriented solutions for medical technology.

The active participation of HFU and its innovation and transfer partnership CoHMed (Connected Health in Medical Mountains), demonstrated the potential to develop forward-looking solutions through knowledge exchange and close collaboration. A wide range of exhibits and information on the projects involved were presented at the HFU stand, which aroused great interest among experts, visitors and, not least, medical technology students. The projects presented not only underlined the innovative strength of the university, but also offered opportunities for networking and discussion.

In addition to a presentation on the development of a virtual reality training platform for surgical assistants by VIRTUAPIXEL, the Institute for Advanced Manufacturing (KSF) headed by Prof. Dr. Bahman Azarhoushang, used several workpieces to demonstrate the various machining processes used in medical technology. For example, workpieces were presented whose metallic surfaces were given optimised light reflection properties through laser structuring, which are highly relevant for endoscopic instruments (CoHMed project Lebensdauer-MDR).

In addition, the Institute for Materials and Application Technology Tuttlingen (IWAT), headed by Prof. Dr. Hadi Mozaffari, presented a variety of exhibits at the HFU stand, such as porous structures for osseointegrative implants. These consist of various powder metallurgically produced materials and are modeled on the natural structure of the bone, which contributes to improved ingrowth behavior (CoHMed project PersonaMed-A). In addition, prototypes for intervertebral disc implants produced using additive manufacturing were presented, which are characterised by high strength and bone-like properties and can also be antibacterially coated (CoHMed project SmartMed-A).

Prof. Dr. Volker Bucher's working group (Faculty of Mechanical and Medical Engineering) used a converted mannequin to demonstrate various microsystems that have been developed for implants such as retinal implants or cochlear implants. This requires structures in the micrometre range, which are produced using microtechnical processes and combine electronic and non-electronic functions in the smallest of spaces in one system (miniaturized actuator). An inchworm drive for a mandibular distractor was developed in this way for the CoHMed project SmartMed-A.

In addition, the CASE4Med (Computer Aided Solution Engineering for Medical) project, in which HFU is one of the coordinators, was once again represented this year with its own exhibitor stand. CASE4Med supports medical technology and biotechnology companies in using simulation, high-performance computing, data analytics and artificial intelligence to accelerate the development of medical technology products and make their application safer.

HFU's commitment to the development of innovative solutions, partnerships and networks that are sustainable and forward-looking and meet the requirements of modern medicine underlines its role as an important driving force. The continuous exchange and close cooperation between science, industry and educational institutions are the driving forces behind innovative and sustainable medical technology.