The world of future medical technology

MEDICAL technologies have maintained a leading position in European patent registrations for 15 years. In 2012, 10,412 applications were made to the European Patent Office (EPO). Of these, 42% were from USA and 38% were from Europe. This is according to the current annual report by the EPO. Medical technology remains a dynamic and highly innovative branch. In terms of patents and of its share of the world market, Germany is in second place after the USA.

In saying this, Germany as a location for innovation and research places an especially important role for the “MedTech” companies. In addition, for decades, Düsseldorf has been the most important stage worldwide for new developments in the field of medical technology. This is because the unique combination comprising MEDICA and COMPAMED, both leading professional trade fairs, allows the entire process chain and the full range of medical products, devices and instruments to be represented. 

Being held at same time as the world’s largest medical trade fair, MEDICA 2013 (20 to 23 November) with more than 4,500 exhibitors, the COMPAMED, the leading international market and information platform for suppliers in the field of medical technology production, has shown a slight increase in bookings to almost 700 exhibitors this year (20 to 22 November 2013).

“Increasing awareness of medical issues, a population that is continuously growing in age, and a rise in diseases of affluence ensure that medical technology in general will rank as one of the fastest-growing sectors in the years to come despite the cost pressure put on the majority of national healthcare systems,” stated Joachim Sch?fer, managing director of Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, explaining vital economic parameters to suppliers as well as “MedTech” providers. 

World innovation: remote controlled implant against incontinence 
Important topics at the COMPAMED remain on the one hand implants, but electronic components for medical technology on the other. Both areas have been consolidated in the best way possible by the electronic specialists AEMtec and Contec (both members of the exceet Group SE) in cooperation with the Swiss company MyoPowers Medical Technologies SA, and further partners that have worked together to develop an implant as a treatment possibility for incontinence. With the expertise of the exceet group of companies in developing and manufacturing miniaturised electronic components, modules and systems in the field of modern therapy for urology issues, MyoPowers has been able to manufacture a modular artificial urinary sphincter to treat incontinence that can considerably improve the quality of life of those afflicted. A special feature of the implant known as the Artificial Urinary Sphincter (AUS) is enabling the doctor to perform postoperative adjustment of the applied level of constriction using a special remote control. The patient receives a simple remote to control the implant. The component, which can be used in the same manner for both males and females, is seen as giving its world début in the field of technological medical implants for urology. "Such development projects prove that our technological expertise in the field of medical technology, particularly with regard to implants, is ideally tailored to the market. Once again, AEMtech and Contec emphasise their extraordinary and excellent branch expertise,” said UlrichNew Balance Popular Collection