Life Sciences Report 2019 / 2020

32 Life

32 Life Sciences Report – Therapy & Devices © ICCAS, Fotograf: Swen Reichhold COMPASS im OP multimodal 3D scene analysis uses different wavelengths to highlight tissue structures like tumors, bones, fat or even high-risk structures like the facial nerve. This processed and highlighted spectral tissue information is then combined with metric 3D information to allow a high qualitative intraoperative decision-making process for the best patient outcome. Digital therapeutics offered by startups like Fosanis, Selfapy or Newsenselab often employ strategies rooted in cognitive behavioural therapy. Interesting is the fact that we see more and more digital products where the software or a hardware-software solution provides the entire therapy. Particularly in the field of mental and neurological disorders, or rehabilitation, hardware-software solutions have a huge potential to support the cure process. In the field of neurology, the Israeli-German startup Tech InnoSphere develops an AI-powered brain-stimulation medical device, for personalized effective and safe treatment of cognitive disorders. The first target indication of Innosphere is ADHD. The Innosphere patented electrodes and AF-RNS technology, provide accurate and effective stimulation to specific brain regions. In the field of mental disorders, neomento, a spin-off from the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, is currently developing a virtual reality-based therapy software. Mental disorders, such as anxiety disorders are effectively treated with in vivo exposure therapy, in which patients are repeatedly exposed to fear-provoking situations in reallife. However, patients often have to wait before treatment becomes available and exposure is rarely applied with the necessary intensity due to resource limitations. Also, objective measurement of treatment efficacy and dynamic adjustment of therapeutic scenarios are hardly possible. Neomento developes virtual scenarios, for so called in virtuo exposure therapy. The interdisciplinary team combines © Christoph Neumann “Digitization changes our business significantly: it allows us to produce customized products through digital techniques. That applies to the entire care process. From determining the needs of the patient, to 3D scanning his or her body, up to producing individualized prostheses with computer-aided design software and additive manufacturing solutions. Then there’s the growing field of digital support services: when the patient has received a new prosthesis, we will be able to communicate with the device via IoT or cloud solutions. We can then still optimize and calibrate. Everything is beginning to be and eventually will be digital.” Dr. Hans Dietl Science Officer, Ottobock

Life Sciences Report – Therapy & Devices 33 © Dr. Adam Streck, 2019 Neomento class room in virtuo exposure Pain therapy with the help of virtual reality © Prof. Dr. Kristian Hildebrandt latest virtual reality and enhancing technologies (eye tracking, measurement of heart rate and skin conductance) with own scientific findings and expertise to create cutting-edge therapy solutions for psychotherapists. The products are developed and validated in close cooperation with renowned clinics and research institutions such as the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the University Clinic in Düsseldorf. Also, in medical fields where strong medication plans are currently the gold standard of treatment, such as chronic pain, digital therapy is gaining importance. The project “ViRST” run by the working group “Age and Technology” of Charité aims to complement back pain therapy using virtual reality. The goal is to combine the physiotherapeutic and the psychotherapeutic approach and to supplement a purely drug therapy in a multimodal pain therapy concept. Running from 2018 until 2020, the project also includes the project partners Cocomore AG (consortium leader), German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), Berlin, and metricminds GmbH & Co. KG and has received funding within the KMU-innovative programme of the federal government. Another project of the working group is called “BewARe”. The aim of the project is the development of a sensor-supported movement and mobility training for seniors with hypertension based on an intelligent augmented reality system. The exergame includes gamification approaches to increase motivation, change behaviour and strengthen resilience and persistence. The consortium consists of further partners: Ascora GmbH, Art+Com AG and Beuth University of Applied Sciences Berlin. The project runs until 2021. The target group of the project are elderly with chronic pain whose quality of life can be improved by a VR exergame. © Prof. Dr. Kristian Hildebrandt Mobility training for seniors with hypertension