Partners of Life Science Nord presenting the region · 2020-01-29 · HDTV (High Definition...

Partners of Life Science Nord presenting the regionMedical Technology in North Germany

IMAGING

06 PHILIPS MEDICAL SYSTEMSImages provide information

06 OLYMPUS WINTER & IBEMasters of clear vision

07 SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONSClear internal views

SURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES

10 MÖLLER-WEDELPioneer in Life Sciences

10 BODE CHEMIEWhen seconds count

11 ETHICONA revolutionary in surgery

INNOVATIONS

13 WEINMANN DIAGNOSTICSFast waves save lives

13 COLOPLASTTrailblazer in medical consumables

13 STECO SYSTEM-TECHNIKA family business treading new paths

RESEARCH

15 SURGERYNew procedures for gentle liver surgery

15 LASERHigh-performance bundle of energy for diagnosis and therapy

15 BIOMECHANICSQuality of life from the test tube

The Life Science Nord partners are companies and institutions frommedical technology, biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry in Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein. Thanks to their active support the Life Science region North Germany can be strengthened effectively.

Traditional focus and innovation – medical technology in the North

Life Science Nord Medical Technology in North Germany 03

Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein can beconsidered the ideal location for medicaltechnology, due in particular to the size andthe dominant market positions the conglo-merates headquartered here hold. Hardly anyother region has an economic structure thatis as distinctive in the area of research anddevelopment in medical technology. Around300 medical technology businesses employapproximately 16,000 people. This strengthis not based on sand but on a rock-solid foun-dation. Hamburg is home to many large andtraditional medical technology companies, in-cluding Philips Medical Systems and theOlympus Europe Group, which can be consi-dered excellent innovators and constantly pro-vide research with new impetus, due in par-ticular to their competence in imaging me-thods. In Schleswig-Holstein, internationallyactive companies such as Dräger Medical,Ethicon, Söring and Eska Implants producefor the global market. Apart from large com-panies there is also a multitude of medium-sized businesses and small start-ups. In thearea around Lübeck alone, approximately 50traditional and young companies with almost3,500 staff have settled within the proximityof universities and research institutions thatare committed and prepared to cooperate.

In many areas within medical technology, theNorth holds the lead with innovative productsand practice-related research. Apart fromcompetences in implantology, minimally in-vasive surgery as well as prosthetics and bio-mechanics, the North holds a clear compe-tence lead in imaging methods, in particular.

Miniaturization and integration

Not only the manufacturing side of medicaltechnology is extremely alive in the North.Research in medical technology also enjoysa broad base and excellent links. Here the closecooperation of universities and research institutions, so typical for the North, contri-butes significantly to the companies’ success.Thus, the close interdisciplinary cooperationof the University and the University of App-lied Sciences in Lübeck with the Medical Laser Center and the Institute of BiomedicalOptics repeatedly results in various synergiesand new questions.

In future, medical technology will be dea-ling with the integration of different systems,the miniaturization of tools for minimally invasive surgery and the improvement of op-tical imaging methods. In the North researchis at top gear, in all areas.

IMAGING

Life Science Nord Medical Technology in North Germany04

State-of-the-art technologiesfor better images Industry and science are making progress in developingnew imaging methods.

worldwide. In the area of high-resolution ima-ging detection devices for cellular assays, inparticular, the company has taken a leading role. Evotec offers pharmaceutical and bio-technology companies its ultra-high through-put screening (uHTS) technology including itsconfocal fluorescence microscopy technologyand other technologies for the fast identifica-tion of biologically active substances.

Apart from this research, which is orientedtowards molecular biology, there are closelinks to engineering technology, e.g. with thedepartment of microsystem technology at theTechnical University Hamburg-Harburg andPhilips or in the development of proceduresfor the MRT supported positioning of intrava-scular catheters. These and other technical de-velopments in the area of image registrationare completed, e.g. by the expertise of Prof Fischer, Department of Mathematics at LübeckUniversity. As a result, all components requi-red for modern innovative molecular imaging,an up and coming area in North Germany, arealso available at an academic level.

Molecular Imaging North

Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein have star-ted a unique project to promote molecular ima-ging in Germany. In this regional project, theUniversity Medical Centers of Schleswig-Hol-stein (UK S-H) and Hamburg-Eppendorf(UKE) are cooperating with the technologypartner Philips to improve diagnosis of serious

Optical and imaging diagnosis have longbeen an issue in North Germany, at the verylatest since the Hamburg-based companyC.H.F. Müller constructed the first x-ray ma-chines back in 1896. It is in this tradition thatPhilips Medical Systems currently operatesthe world’s most state-of-the-art production site for x-ray tubes in Hamburg. But that’s notall: the international company Olympus Win-ter & Ibe produces and develops micro-inva-sive imaging technologies in Hamburg. EvenSiemens Medical Solutions has a commitmentto medical technology in North Germany andthe Schleswig-Holstein based Möller-WedelGmbH is known around the globe as a pro-ducer of surgical microscopes.

In principle, in imaging methods, a diffe-rentiation can be made between optical andnon-optical devices. In North Germany, bothgroups of companies are represented with im-portant global players but also with medium-sized, innovative businesses. Apart fromscientific expertise, this opens up the optionto link different imaging techniques. Cur-rently, in the area of surgical microscopes,there are attempts to also depict data from thepre-surgical in vivo diagnosis in the micro-scope’s field of view, to assist the surgeon.

However, other businesses, active in the in-novative field of biotechnology, are also dea-ling with imaging methods. Evotec, for example, is one of the leading pro-viders for high-quality confocal analysis toolsand ultra-high throughput screening systems

diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s. Themedical fields of tumor and vascular disease,transplantations, neurodegeneration and theimaging facilities of the two university clinicsare combined under MOIN – an acronym forMolecular Imaging North. Methods rangingfrom the improvement of molecular imagingtechniques to the development of new contrastagent and marker compounds are combinedfor diagnostic purposes. The project aims todevelop a technology platform for molecularimaging based on magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), fluorescence imaging and nuclear me-dical methods (PET and SPECT).

The development of biomechanical opticsin North Germany is being driven ahead by institutions such as the Medical Laser CenterLübeck and the Institute of Biomedical Optics.Both carry out basic research and perform clinical trials as well as commissioned develop-ments in the area of laser applications in medicine. A number of research teams areworking at optimizing and extending the application areas for laser medicine.

New options for the structure elucidationof biomolecules at a nuclear level have openedup, thanks to the x-ray sources of DeutscheElektronen-Synchrotron DESY. The x-ray la-ser XFEL, unique in Europe, will be availa-ble from 2012/2013. The European MolecularBiology Laboratory (EMBL) and the Max-Planck working group for structural molecu-lar biology already work at DESY as perma-nent visiting research groups.

IMAGING



IMAGING

In 1896, Carl Heinrich FlorenzMüller produced the f irst x-raytubes in his glass blowing work-shop in Hamburg. In 1927, theDutch company Philips takesover the specialist manufacturerC.H.F. Müller who has since be-come world-famous. To this day,Philips has left the production ofthe x-ray tubes in Hamburg. Eventhe current-generation tubes aredeveloped and produced there forthe global market. The latest ge-

neration of x-ray tubes offers amuch higher resolution than pre-vious models. At the same time therequired dose of radiation is muchlower so that the best possible re-solution is achieved with the lowestpossible dose. Even a longer radi-ation period, for example to watchthe blood stream of a patient or toobserve the beating heart, is pos-sible with the low-dose x-ray sys-tems. The latest x-ray systems pro-duced by Philips are frequently

used in CT scanners and in theproducts of other manufacturers.

Philips’ magnetic resonanceimaging division is also operatedfrom Hamburg. It is in Hamburgthat Philips develops and producesall devices based on this state-of-the-art imaging method for theglobal market. Magnetic reso-nance imaging is considered thegold standard in medical diagno-stics. The images created by thismethod are generated without the

use of x-rays and are solely basedon the measurement of magneticresonance. Philips’ most recentinnovation are open magnetic re-sonance imaging systems that nolonger require a narrow tunnelsystem but place two magnetictubes around the patient, similarto a sandwich, and provide an ex-cellent image quality. The bene-fit of these systems is that theyoffer more room to move. Thatoffers the possibility to examine,e.g. children free of fear andwithout sedation. Additionally,the so-called panorama MRIsenable the examination of lesionsin which patients need to move,e.g. injuries of the knee joint.

Winter & Ibe, founded in Ham-burg in 1954 by Rudolf Winterand Wolfgang Ibe, launched itsfirst cold-light resectoscope andcytoscope on the market at thebeginning of the 1960s. In paral-lel, Olympus developed the firstflexible endoscope for gastro-en-terological examinations in To-kyo in the 1950s. In 1979, thetwo companies bundled theircompetences and amalgamatedJapanese opto-digital high-techand German precision mechanicsin the new company OlympusWinter & Ibe (OWI). OWI deve-lops and produces surgical anddiagnostic tools as well as fiberoptic devices for the current bu-siness areas Urology, Gynecolo-gy, Surgery, ENT and Arthrosco-py, with a focus on lenses and vi-deo endoscopes. Thanks to the

close cooperation between Tokyoand Hamburg, the applicationareas of the endoscopes are con-stantly being extended. With thereduction of the chip diameterand the improvement of the ima-ge quality of its video endosco-pes Olympus has set benchmarks.In video endoscopy the image istransmitted from the tip of theendoscope to the camera unit bymeans of electrical signals pro-duced by a tiny chip of only fewmillimeters in diameter. The vi-deo-optics were developed byOWI and are now produced inHamburg for the global market.

With the introduction ofHDTV (High Definition Televi-sion) in video endoscopy OWIhas enabled new quality stan-dards in operating rooms. The be-nefit of HDTV endoscopy to the

surgeon is not only the greateramount of details through thehigher resolution but also the na-tural color reproduction. In addi-tion, even minute capillaries andlesions can be depicted during laparascopic examinations due tothe new and patented NBI tech-nology (Narrow Band Imaging).The use of HDTV during mini-mally invasive surgery can thuscontribute to an increase of pre-cision and quality of the opera-tion, while reducing fatigueamong surgeons.

With the acquisition of CelonAG Medical Instruments fromTeltow near Berlin in the springof 2004, OWI further extended itsproduct range in the area of mi-nimally invasive surgery. The keybusiness area of Celon AG is ra-dio frequency-induced bipolarhyperthermia. This procedureuses heat to destroy superfluousor pathologically altered tissue

rapidly and precisely, so that thepain and trauma to the patient isminimized. In these days OWI ad-ditionally was given global res-ponsibility for the ETD System.The automatic endoscope repro-cessor ETD3 and the endoscopymanagement software ENDOBASEprovide state-of-the-art solutionsfor endoscopy departments, whichallow the correct reprocessing ofeach flexible endoscope to bechecked before it is used again.

Furthermore, OWI is now re-sponsible for the global IntegratedOR business. An integrated end-osurgery system balances theneeds of doctors, nurses, and ad-ministration, providing state-of-the-art performance, streamlinedoperation workflow and optimalcost-efficiency. It offers a completeendoscopic surgery site that leve-rages Olympus expertise in areassuch as imaging, electrosurgery,ultrasound, networking, robotics.

OLYMPUS WINTER & IBE

Masters of clear vision

The Hamburg-based Olympus Winter & Ibe GmbHhas, for many decades, been the innovation leaderon the endoscopy market.

PHILIPS MEDICAL SYSTEMS

Images provide information

Philips Medical Systems is the oldest manufacturer of x-ray tubes in the world. Philips still produces x-ray tubes in Hamburg and is developing the latest generation of magnetic resonance imaging systems.

FOKUS MEDIZINTECHNIK KNOW-HOW


IMAGING

Magnetic resonance imagingand computed tomography, x-raymachines and ultrasound: Sie-mens Medical is the leading pro-vider for all these imaging me-thods. The new generation of sys-tems contributes to the earlier,safer and gentler detection of di-seases, while reducing healthcarecosts at the same time. An example of this is the first dualsource CT scanner in the world:while previous systems featuredan x-ray tube and a detector,which rotated around the patientand generated detailed images,Siemens’ new Somatom Defini-tion features two tubes and pairsof detectors. It therefore worksfaster than the beating heart of a

SIEMENS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS

Clear internal views

Not only does Siemens Medical Solutions useHamburg as a base to sell its products from thearea of Imaging methods throughout North Germany, it also develops the complex technologies in a targeted manner, for specificapplications on site.

person and can, so to speak,“freeze” the organ, thus enablingpin sharp images. Physicians canin fact even “fly” through the ti-niest of vessels. On top of that,the Somatom Definition requiresonly half the dose of radiation ofa tube-based system. The newtechnology also represents a reliefto the patient and healthcare sy-stem – thanks to the high qualityof the cardiac CT, a large share ofthe 600,000 catheter examinationsannually can be done without.

Siemens is also moving aheadwith innovations in magnetic re-sonance imaging. The Tim tech-nology (total imaging matrix), in-troduced in 2003, enables thescanning of a patient from top to

toe in one go, while achieving anexcellent image quality. This re-duces the examination time toonly a quarter of an hour. In ad-dition, the system reduces thestress to patients as they can bescanned starting with the feet.The head need only be insertedinto the tube if necessary.

In recent years the importanceof imaging when dealing withprocesses at a molecular (meta-bolic) level has grown signif i-cantly. This development has alsobeen pushed ahead by a new tech-nology developed by Siemens. Inits PET/CT system, Siemens com-bines Positron Emission Tomo-graphy (PET) with computed to-mography. While the PET detectstumors and metastases throughtheir increased consumption of(previously radioactively marked)sugar, the CT depicts anatomicaldetails. Together, the PET/CT system supplies clear indications

of the location, size and activityof the primary tumor. The com-bination of the different imagingmethods is considered an issue re-searchers hope to derive greatprogress from in future with re-gard to the quality of the exami-nation and early recognition.

Siemens in Hamburg is, how-ever, more than “merely” a salesdepartment for the medical tech-nology products of the Siemensparent company in North Ger-many. In Hamburg, Siemens’ pro-ducts undergo a targeted furtherdevelopment and are adapted tomeet special requirements in theregion. Siemens and AsklepiosKlinik Hamburg-St. Georg, forexample, cooperate within thecontext of a magnetically con-trolled cardiac catheter procedure.In so doing, the catheter is insertedinto the human body and navigatedwith the aid of specially adaptedimaging methods of Siemens.



Innovative medical engineering “made in North Germany” for the operating room High-precision medical instruments are designed for optimal and gentle treatment of patients. North Germany has excellent know- how in implantology and minimally invasive surgical techniques. Like a puzzle, individualtechnologies are combined to form an integrated therapy for the future.



Minimally invasive surgery – so-called “key-hole technology” – is considered a guaranteefor pain-free incisions and a speedy recovery.North Germany is playing a leading role whenit comes to innovative high-tech solutions forthe operating room. From three-dimensionalimaging methods to centralized control of sur-gical systems and adaptable implants, pio-neering products and instruments are beingdeveloped in medical engineering companiesin North Germany.

The Norderstedt-based Ethicon has beensuccessfully developing products for mini-mally invasive surgery for some time. Origi-nally a specialist for suture material, EthiconEndosurgery was formed in 1992 as an inde-pendent unit of the Johnson & Johnson Group.The product portfolio covers, among otherthings, trocars, clamping and cutting instru-ments as well as suture material and ligatureclips.

For the Hamburg company Olympus Win-ter & Ibe, integrated operating room conceptsare nothing new. The Endo Alpha system re-presents a user interface for the centralizedcontrol of all instruments used in an opera-tion. It includes not only the firm’s own end-oscopic systems, but also all peripheral equip-ment. For example, the surgeon can access andinspect x-ray or CT images. Via a conferen-cing function, doctors from all over the worldcan be consulted on specific questions andlinked directly to the operating room.

However, specialists in surgical microscopycan also find a suitable niche when it comesto providing integrated patient care in the operating theater. For example, Möller-WedelGmbH offers a high-tech microscope for brainsurgery. In connection with a stand, it can bemoved by servo control – similar to the “fly-by-wire” principle in modern aircraft – almostfreely in any direction while still remainingperfectly balanced. The Wedel firm was foun-ded 142 years ago as an optical business andshows how products can be further developedand thus remain up-to-date and in line withmarket requirements.

In the field of bone surgery, medical engi-neering companies from North Germany arealso trailblazers. Implants of the Lübeck firmESKA Implants such as the high-quality, ce-ment-free joint replacement, have firmly esta-blished in operating rooms. The surface of theESKA endoprostheses is a three-dimensionallattice structure which is adapted to the struc-ture of osseous tissue and bone and so permitsbone vascularization within the structure.

The Kiel-based Stryker Osteosynthesis,which has specialized in the intramedullary tre-atment of fractures of long tubular bones, canboast a record result worldwide. The Germansubsidiary of the global Stryker Group producesmedical nail implants, screws and instruments,mainly for the treatment of bone fractures, inKiel. In 2005, the North German facility pro-duced 280,000 nails and every 2.4 minutes aproduct from Kiel is implanted into a patient.

Centrally controlled instruments

However, the North is well positioned not on-ly in industry, but also in research. For exam-ple, a landmark project with international re-cognition is currently being established. Thecore of the nationwide research project, whichwas initiated at the University Medical Cen-ter Schleswig-Holstein (Lübeck Campus), isthe development of a new, comprehensiveconcept for gentle liver surgery. To provide in-tegrated patient treatment, this involves,among other things, aligning and overlappingpre-operating images (MRI/CT) with imagesduring the operation (ultrasound).

To this end, the Institute for Biomedical Op-tics (formerly Medical Laser Center at theUniversity of Lübeck) is developing a new-style laser which automatically recognizesblood vessels and either coagulates vessels,i.e. seals them, or automatically switches off inorder to avoid the opening of larger vessels.The laser fiber is integrated into a navigablehand-held instrument supplied by Bauer andHäselbarth, a company based in Ellerau,Schleswig-Holstein.

All the instruments involved in a surgical pro-cedure are to be centrally controlled via a kindof cockpit. The Lübeck-based company Drä-ger Medical is lead manager for this part ofthe project.

Many large and small medical engineeringcompanies are already profiting from the grow-ing healthcare market. However, the potentialis far from exhausted and there are sufficientopportunities for new developments and tech-nological solutions – both stand-alone andcombined into intelligent, complete systems.



While so-called cases of mal-practice generally create a tre-mendous uproar in the media, acommon threat present duringsurgery often does not make itsway into the public: wound in-fections that can result from sur-gery – one of the most commonhospital-acquired infectionsworldwide. The rate of infectionof almost 1.4% in Germany, de-termined through tests, may below; however, it does representconsiderable stress for the patientaffected and the healthcare sys-tem. With average additionalcosts of approximately EUR2,500 per post-operative wound

infection it quickly becomes clear– even under economic aspects –that all measures must be takento reduce the risk.

In 2005, BODE Chemie pro-ved that its hand disinfectant Ste-rillium was as effective withinonly 1.5 minutes as with an ac-tion time of 3 minutes. For morethan 110 years hospitals haveworked with disinfection timesbetween three and five minutes.The use of Sterillium for surgicalhand disinfection with a shorteraction time has been approved inGermany and in a further elevenEU member states, Switzerlandand Ukraine. The two BODE pro-

ducts Sterillium and Sterilliumclassic pure are the only productscurrently approved for a shorteraction time. The economic bene-fits of halving the action time aretremendous for the hospital. Thegreatest benefit, however, is thetime saved; time that physiciansand surgery staff can now usebetter, for other tasks, e.g. patientcare. In view of the increasing in-volvement of physicians in ad-ministrative work, even a few mi-nutes extra per day have a posi-tive effect.

Surgical hand disinfection ofphysicians and surgical staff priorto surgical interventions is one of

the most important measures forthe prevention of infection. Thefocus here is in particular on theskin-borne bacteria of the surgi-cal team. While harmless on in-tact skin, the skin-borne micro-organisms can trigger infectionsin the surgical wounds of pa-tients. The obligatory surgicalgloves alone do not offer suffi-cient protection. Tests show thatalmost one fifth of all gloves areno longer intact following anoperation. The fact that there is aconnection between damagedgloves and a higher rate of woundinfection has been proven scien-tifically. The use of alcohol-ba-sed hand disinfectants reducesthe rate of bacteria on the handsof the surgical staff and thus therisk that germs are emitted intothe wound if the surgical glovesare damaged.

Möller-Wedel was already acti-ve in high-tech medical techno-logy long before the term LifeSciences was coined. Founded asan optical company, it has existedin Wedel near Hamburg since1864. In the course of the last 50years, Möller-Wedel concentra-ted on development and produc-tion of medical systems, in parti-cular on operating microscopeswhich combine high-class optics

with progressive electronics forintelligent solutions. Especiallyfor neurosurgical procedures, thelatest microscopes are equippedwith a system similar to the “flyby wire” technology in aeroplanesproviding continuous equilibriumas well as free-floating, exactmovements. Various accessoriesare available for image guidedsurgery (IGS) and for connectionto navigation systems and to the

hospital archives via DICom. Afamily of six surgical microsco-pes for ophthalmology covers allneeds for cataract and retinal sur-gery in small surgery centers upto large hospitals and universityclinics. Various options of slitlamp modules provide dedicatedillumination formerly found onlyin diagnostic instruments.

Whereever very small tissue,vessels, or nerves have to be re-paired, whether in neurosurery,ophthalmology, ENT, reconstruc-tive surgery, or dentistry, the ap-propriate operating microscopesystem can be offered by Möller-Wedel.

BODE CHEMIE

When seconds count

For 110 years, disinfection times between three and five minutes have been observed prior to operations. Last year BODE Chemie proved that a 1.5 minute surgical disinfection of hands with Sterillium is as effective as the usual three minute application.

MÖLLER-WEDEL

Pioneer in Life Sciences

An internationally renowned company from the Hamburg region, which has supplied quality for 140 years: Möller-Wedel GmbH produces high-class optical medical devices.

Ethicon supplies a wide rangeof highly specialized medicalinstruments. What do youfocus on and where are yourproducts used?Our products are used by all sur-gical disciplines. We focus on theproduction of surgical suture ma-terials: we produce 150 million

ETHICON

A revolutionary in surgery

The Johnson & Johnson subsidiaryfrom Norderstedt is attracting attention with constant innovations in surgical technologies.

needles and more than 100 mil-lion production units of suturematerials annually, as well as agreat volume of absorbable im-plants. On top of that, the Ethi-con subsidiary Endo Surgery isthe global market leader in cons-umable instruments for endosco-pic surgery.

Which innovations hasEthicon recently launched onthe market? Which innova-tions have you scheduled forthe near future?Our product Vicryl Plus has revo-lutionized the market for suturematerials. It is the first and onlyantibacterial suture material in theworld. The antibacterial coating

prevents the colonization of thematerial with bacteria, thus pre-venting infections. With the deve-lopment of Vicryl Plus we havemade a big step toward preventinginfections. Physicians refer to itas a “surgical revolution”. A fur-ther milestone in medical techno-logy was the introduction of light-weight and partially absorbablemesh for the repair of hernias andincisional hernias by Ethicon. Andfinally: with the opening of theEuropean Surgical Institute (ESI)in Norderstedt in 1993, the mostup-to-date training center for mi-nimally invasive surgery in Euro-pe was inaugurated. Since then,more than 100,000 physiciansfrom around the globe have recei-ved training there.

How long has your businessalready been operating inNorderstedt and are yousatisfied with your choice of location?

Ethicon has been headquarteredin Norderstedt since 1962. Me-anwhile, we employ approxima-tely 2,400 staff at three locationswithin the region. In Norderstedtwe operate the world’s largest andstate-of-the-art production sitefor surgical suture materials. We are extremely pleased withour choice of location. TheSchleswig-Holstein state govern-ment and the city of Norderstedtprovide great support with regardto all our projects. Another pointin favor of this region is the factthat we can find highly qualifiedstaff and an excellent infrastruc-ture here. This is why Schleswig-Holstein is of strategic importanceto Ethicon as a production andscience site – particularly in thearea of medical technology.



Ethicon CEO Anton J. Schmidtcomments on the

strengths of themedical engineering

specialist and the significance of

Norderstedt as a location.

INNOVATIONS


Innovations come from North GermanyThe North sets the standards in a numberof medical technologies of the future.

Medical engineering has a long tradition inGermany. It is one of the sectors of the fu-ture which is characterized by innovativetechnologies, high growth rates and improvedmedical care. Hamburg and Schleswig-Holstein are also helping to ensure that Ger-many remains a leading international loca-tion for medical engineering in the future – infunctional imaging, minimally invasive tech-nology, computer-aided diagnosis, therapysupport or implantable microsystems tech-

nology. In key technologies of pioneeringmedical engineering, the North sets stan-dards. In related areas of drug delivery andthe huge field of consumables, there are anumber of the companies in the North thatare competing successfully in the market bydeveloping new technologies. Besides themajor international innovators, there are inparticular small and mid-sized businessesthat attract attention with their outstandingproduct developments.


INNOVATIONS

Hamburg – On the basis of thepulse spectroscopy procedure de-veloped by Weinmann Diagno-stics it will soon be possible tonon-invasively determine carbonmonoxide intoxication directly onsite. In addition to the alreadyknown parameters of pulse fre-quency and oxygen saturation inhuman blood, as used in pulseoximetry, the mobile “Hemily sy-stem” can also measure carbonmonoxide saturation and on topof that it will soon be possible todetermine the concentration ofhaemoglobin in human blood. Inemergencies physicians and pa-ramedics can determine whetherthey are dealing with carbon

WEINMANN DIAGNOSTICS

Fast waves save lives

A new diagnostic procedure for the determination of carbonmonoxide concentra-tions improves work atthe point-of-care.

monoxide intoxication – muchmore rapidly than before and wi-thout taking blood.

The measuring principle isbased on the extended, popularpulse oxymetry test, which – forthe purpose of analyzing bloodgases – utilizes different wave-lengths, generated by light sour-ces. The level of absorption ofthese wavelengths in tissue al-lows for the determination of thedegree of O2 and CO saturation.

With this new procedure,Weinmann Diagnostics meets animportant medical requirement.With “Hemily”, it has for the firsttime become possible to measurethe actual oxygen supply in hu-man circulation. Weinmann Dia-gnostics is a newly founded bu-siness area of the traditionalHamburg-based company Wein-mann, which has been active inthe medical technology industryfor many decades. The group fo-cuses on sleep, oxygen and emer-gency medicine.

Coloplast focuses on productsand services in the areas ofwound, stoma, incontinence andbreast care as well as skincareand skin protection. The companyis, for example, a world marketleader in stoma care and, as atrailblazer in this industry, deve-loped and supplied the first mo-dern stoma bag. Currently, thecompany’s range includes a num-ber of complete stoma care sys-tems. Coloplast has also provento be an innovator in the area ofincontinence care: with Speedi-Cath Compact the company hasdeveloped a single-use catheterfor women that not only workseasily and securely, but can bediscreetly used in everyday life.

The Danish company has beenactive on the market for medicalconsumables since 1957. In 1983the German subsidiary, ColoplastGmbH, commenced business inHamburg. At the German head-quarters some 200 employeescontrol the sales and marketingof the products for the German

COLOPLAST

Trailblazer in medical consumables

The Danish specialist for medical products controlsits marketing, logistics and research for the Germanmarket from Hamburg.

market. Additionally, Coloplastexecutes extensive trials with cli-nics and medical care staff togain new insights with regard toproduct development and to im-proving existing products. Fur-thermore, in Hamburg Coloplasttrains clinic and care staff in theuse of its products and offers tar-geted patient care.

In addition, Coloplast Deutsch-land is initiator of a WoundNet:the objective of the project is thecreation of a broad basis of dataand experience to gain new in-sights on existing and innovativestructures, processes and resultsin the care of patients with chro-nic wounds. It is being esta-blished as a sector and specialneeds group spanning networkof experts and services providersin healthcare. WoundNet’s coreis an image-supported, electro-nic documentation system forthe description of the patient’s situation and for the clinical andeconomic evaluation of woundcare techniques.

The Hamburg-based companyis a family business that is man-aged in a way that is only rarelyfound these days: at Steco, fatherand son jointly manage the com-pany. While both have a back-ground as dental technicians, thejunior, Hjalmar Stemmann dealsmainly with the marketing andsales side of the business where-as the senior, Hartmut Stemmann,is responsible for research and

STECO SYSTEM-TECHNIK

A family business treading new paths

The generation-spanning family business, which has so far been known as aspecialist in the field of dental technology, is entering into a new businessarea: port systems for the infusion of highly effective drugs in chemotherapy.

implantable port system (im-Port®) presented by Steco is asubcutaneous venous access thatis used for highly toxic drugs.Such port systems are predomi-nantly used in the battle againstcancer. The venous access thatcan be implanted for up to 90 da-ys can easily be felt and holds thebenefit that vessels need not berepeatedly punctured. In contrastto the port systems commonly

used, the imPort’s direction ofpuncture is sidewards – it is the-refore similar to the conventio-nal single puncture of vessels. Inaddition, the imPort has a stream-lined cylindrical-conical infusionchamber with a correspondingport casing, with a drop-shapedexternal geometry. Due to thisspecif ication, the imPort can also be used with straight can-nulas. Appliance tests for the imPort are to commence this year. Initial interest in the newsystem has already been com-municated to Steco.

development and, as such, hasbeen awarded several prizes forhis work in the f ield of dentaltechnology. The company is alsoknown for its special dental tech-nology products such as magne-tic retention systems for dentalimplants or a comprehensive toolsystem for the treatment of all ce-ramic superstructures.

Now Steco has proven itself asan innovator in a new field: the

RESEARCH


Research and training hand in handResearch institutes, companies and universities have created a close network in the North to develop innovations.

The development of medical equipment, pro-ducts and technical methods is marked by ahigh level of research effort in a large num-ber of medical fields in human medicine. InSchleswig-Holstein and Hamburg, there is awell developed research sector which has close ties to companies in the region. Bothstates have the required specialization to ensure long-term success in research and development. The foundations for methods oftreatment and innovative technologies of thefuture are being laid at the Laser Center inLübeck, the Borstel Research Center and theFraunhofer Institute in Itzehoe. In both states, there are medical engineering courses

with differing and complementary areas offocus. Partners collaborate in this area too.For example, in Lübeck the university re-searches and teaches together with the techni-cal college in a joint biomedical engineeringcourse. The main emphasis is on achieving abalance between basic teaching and practice.The fruitful link between research and appli-cation is also a particular feature of universi-ties and specialist clinics of the two states.The exploitation and combination of the me-thodological breadth of many clinics to formeffective focal points of research leads quitefrequently to spin-offs of small highly spec-ialized businesses.


RESEARCH

LASER

High-performance bundle of energy for diagnosis and therapy

The Lübeck Laser Center develops state-of-the-art technologies which support the eyes of the operating surgeon.

Operations with large incisionsare increasingly becoming a thingof the past. Besides precise in-struments for minimally invasivesurgery, a gentle operation thatsubjects patients to less stress al-so involves a differentiated look

into the human body. Without op-tical technologies that supportdoctors’ own eyes, modern sur-gery is hardly feasible. Thesetechnologies are developed at theMedical Laser Center (MLL) inLübeck. Only the use of targeted

energy beams permits deep, high-ly detailed insights into the hu-man organism – whether to pre-pare biological samples by meansof focused femtosecond pulses,for intracellular nanosurgery orto study protein functions by

means of optical marking me-thods with gold particles hit bylaser beams. The MLL developsbasic therapeutic and diagnosticmethods for new medical laserapplications which are tested inclose collaboration with doctors.Ideas developed for equipmentare also quickly passed on to industry under cooperationagreements and jointly developedfurther.

BIOMECHANICS

Quality of life from the test tube

With studies on the locomotor system and artificial production of human tissue, biomechanicresearchers in North Germany are proving to be an innovative force.

In the biomechanics unit at theTechnical University of Ham-burg-Harburg, Prof. MichaelMorlock oversees various rese-arch projects on implantologyand endoprosthetics. The stabi-lity of artificial joints, the use ofnew materials and dynamic loads on the locomotor system areall research fields in biomecha-nics, whose aim is to reduce

wear and offer enhanced comfort.Besides research projects thatconsider for example burdensplaced on the human locomotorsystem in everyday life, thescientif ic community in NorthGermany also focuses on thehighly innovative field of tissueengineering. Tissue engineeringis an interdisciplinary field thatconnects biology, material scien-

ces and medicine with the aim ofrepairing damaged tissue or im-proving its function. There is forexample a huge need for replace-ments for skin (after burns), cartilage (rheumatism, arthritisand arthrosis) and bone material(in dentistry, plastic surgery and for anchoring implanta-tions). Tissue defects in cartilagenormally arise as a result of excessive stress, wear or inflam-mation processes. As cartilage inthe body does not regenerate, thecartilage cells and material haveto be reproduced outside the bo-dy to repair the damaged carti-lage. In Schleswig-Holstein, re-

search groups also offer theirknow-how in this young field ofregenerative medicine to thescientific community and indu-stry. The Lübeck Tissue Engi-neering Center of Competence(KTE) offers support in qualitycontrol as well as in research anddevelopment. In cell culture re-search, KTE takes on R&D con-tract work. As a service company,KTE prepares comprehensiveanalyses and quality controls ofcollagen and bioartificial matri-ces. Applications are in medicine,pharmacy, tissue engineeringand in the cosmetics and food in-dustries.

SURGERY

New procedures for gentle liver surgery

The FUSION project aims to improve surgicalprecision and provide individualized methods totreat liver tumors.

Liver carcinoma is one of theworld’s most frequent malignanttumor diseases. In Germany, some 5,700 people die each yearfrom malignant tumors of the li-ver and the cystic ducts locatedthere. The liver is also a prefer-red site for metastases. They ap-pear in about 60 percent of allcancers during the course of thedisease.

So far, surgical resection is theonly recognized form of therapy.In the last few years, interventio-

nal tumor ablation has developedas a further possibility. Optimi-zing this form of therapy is thegoal of a major research projectwhich was started at the Univer-sity Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein in Lübeck and which re-ceives funds totalling 15 millionEuros from the German FederalMinistry of Education and Rese-arch. The project known as “Fu-sion” – Future Environment forGentle Liver Surgery Using Ima-ge-Guided Planning and Intra-

Operative Navigation – involvesa new and comprehensive app-roach to gentle liver surgery. Prof.Dr. Hans-Peter Bruch, Directorof the Clinic for Surgery at theLübeck Campus, is the initiatorand head of the project. Through-out Germany, 23 participantsfrom medicine, science and in-dustry are coordinated throughCEMET – Center of Excellencein Medical Technology in Schles-wig-Holstein – headed by Dr.Raimund Mildner.

The project pursues the goal ofindividual and very precise sur-gery for soft tissue. The key ele-ment of the approach is the opti-mal transmission of pre-operative

three-dimensional imaging datainto the surgical situs to enablethe operation to be planned muchmore precisely than with the means previously available.

The project is supported notonly by renowned research insti-tutes, but also by medical engi-neering companies such as Drä-ger Medical, Siemens MedicalSolutions and Karl Storz GmbH.Clinic cooperation is carried outwith seven of the leading clinicsin the field of liver surgery, trans-plantation and tumor ablation(Berlin, Düsseldorf, Essen, Kre-feld, Hamburg, Kiel and Lübeck).

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Norgenta North German Life Science Agency

Falkenried 88D-20251 Hamburg

Tel.: +49.40.471 96 400Fax: +49.40.471 96 444

[email protected]

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