Health

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

People need health

Health

Health is an important matter for everyone. The desire to lead a healthy life occupies us in our private lives and at work, and we hope to obtain the best possible care in the event of illness. That is why we must ensure that access to medical care remains affordable to all in the long term, even in our increasingly aging society.

 

The goal of current research in the health sector is to produce innovations which make prevention, diagnosis and therapy more reliable, faster and cheaper. To achieve this goal, seven bioscience-oriented Fraunhofer research institutes have joined together in the Fraunhofer Group for Life Sciences. Many other Fraunhofer Institutes are also conducting important development work in the field of medical technology.


Diagnosis

The diagnosis determines everything that subsequently happens by way of medical treatment. Fraunhofer research scientists are therefore seeking to provide physicians with optimal support in this task. They are developing new diagnosis techniques, including an automated system for measuring blood counts.

 

Through the combination of life sciences with microsystems to create ‘lifetronics’, our scientists are developing new solutions including systems for the continuous mobile monitoring of physiological functions such as heart activity, temperature and respiration.


Surgical techniques

Thanks to numerous innovations, surgical interventions are less invasive than they used to be. The laser is particularly appreciated as a surgical instrument because of its precision and targeted effect. Special endoscopes and imaging systems enable surgeons to safely operate in highly sensitive zones such as the brain. Each new technology which supports the operating surgeon simplifies and accelerates the intervention and thus benefits the patient.


Therapy

Many diseases demand a long and difficult course of treatment. Fraunhofer research therefore aims to offer the best possible support to patients and physicians, for example in the form of high-precision, non-invasive instruments and processes for the local destruction of tumors.


Prosthetics

Prosthetics, including prosthetic dentistry, is a wide area of medicine which many people encounter. It focuses on esthetic factors and maximum durability, to be achieved at the lowest possible cost. To meet these requirements, research scientists apply the latest techniques in production technology. Neuroprosthetics – in which nerve fibers are connected to electronic circuits – will appreciably expand the range of treatment options.


Pharmaceuticals

Pharmaceutical research is expensive. It can take up to ten years investigating around 10,000 substances before a drug is approved. Modern technologies and advanced techniques such as translational medicine are helping to speed up this process and make it more efficient.


Prevention is better than cure

Prevention is the best and least expensive approach to healthcare. The way people treat their bodies is the crucial factor. Fraunhofer scientists use the latest IT and media technology to educate and motivate. People should enjoy looking after their health!