topic Hightech Strategy

Medical Technology

Innovative prostheses can help to recover a person's lost abilities and senses. Research in the field of medical technology is working to provide new solutions in complex medical and technological areas. Minimally invasive surgery has revolutionized the diagnosis and therapy of diseases by using miniaturized treatment and surgical procedures. The visible success of these methods today shows the possibilities that medical technology holds for healthcare in the future. The BMBF is now pooling its activities in a new "Medical Technology Action Plan".

Medical technology is a multidisciplinary and broad thematic field of research and application which is characterized by high innovation potential in Germany and quality developments. Progress in medical technology - such as miniaturized treatment and surgical procedures, state-of-the-art imaging techniques or improved communication (e.g. by telemedicine) - have revolutionized diagnosis and therapy and thus offer considerable improvements for patients as well as for further research.

Former in-patient services can now be provided as out-patient services. Side-effects and complications are clearly reduced by minimally invasive surgery. At the same time, however, steps must be taken to ensure that the development of technological innovations, in particular in specialized highly technological areas, reduces the cost of care or clearly improves the quality of care at a justifiable cost.

Today, research and developments in medical technology are based on application and patient needs and funded accordingly. Medical technology activities under the health research programme are closely linked with other BMBF programmes in order to accentuate the aspect of patient benefit. The BMBF has therefore integrated former individual measures under different funding programmes in a medical technology framework concept. Furthermore, the disciplines involved are networked more closely. Entirely new approaches to research are also given an opportunity. With these funding activities, the BMBF wants to strengthen and further enhance the growth market for medical technology. Health economy considerations will play a major role in all new medical developments in future.

The world market for medical products is worth about 170 billion Euro. German companies in this sector have a turnover of about 12 billion Euro and employ about 85,000 employees. They are thus the third largest provider of medical technology products, after the United States and Japan. Traditionally, German medical technology has been oriented very much towards international markets: Over 50% of products are exported, whereby the EU member states are the main importers. Experts believe that this industry will continue to have great growth potential.

Medical Technology Action Plan

The BMBF presented a "Medical Technology Action Plan". for the first time in 2007. This pools the BMBF's varied funding activities and different BMBF programmes under three main topic areas: These are:

• medical technology in rehabilitation and care - intelligent implants
• molecular imaging in medicine
• medical technology for regenerative medicine

A Coordination Group for Medical Technology was established to ensure the internal coordination of the different BMBF funding programmes. The Medical-Technology Committee (MTA) of the Health Research Council is an external advisory body. The BMBF will provide its funding in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, taking into account the fact that the market for medical products is mainly characterized by the healthcare system and that research funding must consider the resulting framework conditions and develop them in a positive manner wherever possible. Securing medical progress also requires a broad public discussion. This presupposes intensive public education regarding research developments.

Further information on medical technology is available [here].

Imaging techniques

An early and precise diagnosis is the main prerequisite for the rapid treatment of illnesses. Imaging techniques are the traditional instrument for providing a non-invasive presentation of processes in the living organism. The use of computers and the development of new processes even makes it possible to analyse cells and organs in interaction with the overall organism as well as to observe the organism "in action" over a limited period of time. The further development of imaging techniques is therefore of particular interest for medical diagnosis and thus for medical care.

The BMBF has issued a call for funding proposals for research collaborations on "Molecular Imaging in Medicine - MoBiMed" as a measure to develop different techniques and processes of molecular imaging.

Together with Siemens AG, the BMBF is also supporting the development of a new type of facility at Research Centre Jülich, which will combine magnetic resonance therapy with the positron emission tomography (PET) in a hybrid imaging process. Construction work on the facility, which will work with extraordinarily high field strengths, started in Jülich on 27 June 2007. A first priority of the new method will be the monitoring of tumours and neurological processes in the brain.

Innovation competition to promote medical technology

The BMBF's awards for innovative medical technology were awarded for the eighth time in November 2006. 129 candidates faced an international jury and 13 winners were selected. The projects, which will be funded with a total of 12.3 million Euro, ranged from the antibiotic-free treatment of chronic infections of the urinary tract to a procedure which makes laser eye treatment safer and quicker. All the winning projects demonstrate a high potential for future use and opportunities for close cooperation between science and industry. Apart from projects in the field of application-oriented basic research (the "Basis" competition module), the 2006 competition also awarded prizes to projects which are already nearing market introduction (the "Transfer" competition module). Nine of the 13 winners come from this new area. Applicants also showed a convincing performance in the established competition area of application-oriented basic research - for example with processes for the sutureless implant of heart valves or a photo-acoustic imaging technique for the early recognition of breast cancer.

Innovative aids in rehabilitation and for the disabled

Innovative technical aids can help to restore an individual's lost functions and abilities or - if restoration is not possible - support and/or replace these functions. Here existing competences in academic and industrial research in Germany are to be brought together in interdisciplinary research collaborations. The development of suitable cooperation projects is a decisive contribution to enhancing Germany's attractiveness as a research location and strengthening the competitiveness of German companies.

Gentle surgery using innovative technology (SOMIT)

Future-oriented concepts for planning and performing surgery in several disease sectors will be developed and implemented under the lead vision. They are to take into account the future demands of an aging society on the healthcare system. The aim is to develop user-friendly, integrative surgery systems for different fields of surgery. Consideration will also be given to intervention techniques (such as minimally invasive and endoluminal interventions) and to techniques for ambulatory surgery. The aim is to cause less strain on patients whilst guaranteeing a great therapeutic benefit.

Innovative individual approaches in medical technology

Furthermore, support is also being given to innovative individual approaches in medical technology, such as that of the research collaboration on retina implants. Here, an electronic retina prosthesis is being developed for patients with retinitis pigmentosa which is to replace the function of the degenerated retina and provide patients with limited sight. The collaboration currently consists of four working groups at twelve universities and non-university research institutions all across Germany.