Cutting-Edge German Medical Innovations Put Patients First

CHICAGO, Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Germany is a world leader in medical technology and can claim – depending on topic – between 5 and 20 percent of published research in the field. Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is bringing the show on the road, presenting the latest research from about three dozen German innovators at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 98th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting Nov. 25-30 in Chicago. Via its campaign "Germany – Partner for Medical Technology", the BMBF will feature new developments in imaging at Joint Booth No. 1218 A-F, Lakeside Center, Hall D.

Germany has been a hotbed for science and technological excellence in the field of medical imaging since Wilhelm-Conrad Rontgen discovered what he called X-rays in 1895. Now, BMBF fosters cutting-edge medical technology development through the support of research conducted at interdisciplinary clusters, including 3-D Imaging in Medicine, Quantitative Imaging in Oncology (QUINO) and German Medical Imaging in Motion (GMIM), which bring together international experts in medicine, natural and engineering sciences and information technology to drive medical imaging innovation.

This year, about 35 researchers – from established leaders to up-and-comers – will present developments in diagnostic imaging and radio-oncology in collaboration with BMBF, including:

• Density no issue for high-resolution, low-dose 3D breast CT technology: Prof. Willi A. Kalender will present research on a new CT system that promises a significantly more accurate diagnosis of breast cancer for women with dense breasts, among others, through high contrast, 3D  images – with no greater radiation exposure than standard screening mammograms.
• Time-of-Flight 3D imaging works for video games – and medical imaging: Christian Schaller, Ph.D., will discuss his incorporation of "time of flight" 3D technique, moving it from the world of computer games into the medical world. Profs. Joachim Hornegger and Kurt Holler, Ph.D., will debut their innovation in the field of motion compensation, which can be used to provide real-time noninvasive 3D images for breathing-independent radiation therapy (respiratory gating) and surgery.  
• Imaging software allows tumor tracking over time: Matthias Baumhauer, Ph.D., will present mint Lesion™, new software that assesses the effectiveness of a cancer treatment throughout the course of therapy, allowing treatments to be adjusted quickly as needed. The software has application for individual patients as well as tracking patient cohorts during clinical trials.
• MRI training via small, portable, low-cost technology: Prof. Axel Haase will present a new portable, low-cost MRI that is smaller than two laptops and can be used to provide hands-on training of physicians on techniques ranging from brain function analysis to cardiac function, rather than merely through simulation.
• New cancer treatments, faster: Prof. Fabian Kiessling will present results from the interdisciplinary ForSaTum (Faster Realisation of Novel Concepts for Cancer Therapy) research project. ForSaTum accelerates the implementation of new tumor treatment concepts by combining the essential components of preclinical research, including animal experiments, development of innovative imaging instruments, IT and new molecular samples and diagnostic techniques. His colleague, Moritz Palmowski, M.D., is being awarded the RSNA Trainee Research prize for his work on molecular imaging.
• Experts from various fields working together: Ursula Muhle, Ph.D., managing director of the internationally established graduate school of information science in health (GSISH) at Munich University of Technology, will discuss a new interdisciplinary form of doctoral training she designed that brings experts in various fields together to promote collaboration and devise cutting-edge imaging and therapies.

For more information on BMBF and the research campaign as well as its players being presented at RSNA, visit: www.research-in-germany.de

SOURCE German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF)