The University recently signed an agreement with the Austrian Centre for Medical Innovation and Technology (ACMIT). The Centre focuses its efforts in translational research and development in novel medical technology.
As part of the agreement, the University now falls under the Centre’s broad partner network which allows University academics and researchers to present a proposal on their forefront research and technologies. This will then be reviewed by ACMIT’s partners who consider training systems and market forces. Clinical partners also assess the technology’s potential benefits to the end user and patient. This allows for a strong validation of the research and development results and provides essential information to the research team.
While the main focus is on minimally invasive procedures, this can be further broken into three main fields of research:
- i) Instruments and Robotics looks into multi-functional instruments, new platform concepts for their intuitive use, and robot systems for accurate and reliable tool positioning.
- ii) Sensor technology for the detection and verification of specific tissue properties. The integration of sensors into wound dressings, thus allowing for a continued monitoring of the healing process are also of interest. Micro-optics are also considered for ophthalmology, including transfer of novel micro-optical technology into surgical tools.
- iii) Tools and methodologies for efficient implementation of new technology in the operating room (OR). Complete description of the OR-workflow and relations (i.e. data transfer) between workflow and particular sub-problems, such as usability engineering, risk analysis and training concepts.
