MEDICA and COMPAMED hold record-high international fairs

Nov. 22, 2019

The 2019 MEDICA and COMPAMED fairs in Düsseldorf, Germany hosted some 5,500 exhibitors at MEDICA and nearly 800 exhibitors at COMPAMED ensuring a new record in participation. Some 121,000 trade visitors representing some 170 countries attended.

“MEDICA and COMPAMED are the number one market platforms for international business. Through their exhibitor and visitor numbers, they have confirmed their role as growth drivers for exports. This is in the interests of suppliers, of whom a great deal is currently being demanded in this market environment. Increasing trade restrictions, uncertainty in regard to Brexit, growing pressure on margins and other challenges, including ever more complex approval procedures for medical products, should be mentioned in this context,” says Wolfram Diener, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf, summing up the trade fair environment.

There was a focus on robotics and how this technology will be used in future. An example of this development is medical robotics applications, which represented a content focal point at MEDICA and will become even more important in future. KUKA, one of the leading providers of robotics and automation solutions, used the MEDICA platform to demonstrate a variety of possible applications for its lightweight medical robot “LBR Med” in the final round of its “Innovation Award”. The spectrum of award topics ranged from a robot platform with magnetic capsules for early detection of colon cancer to an application that provides robot-supported laser treatment for varicose veins and robot-assisted, personalized back massages. “temi” was another innovation at MEDICA. This home-care robot is manufactured by Medisana and is a digital everyday aid that aims to help people remain in their own homes far into old age.

Compact solutions for better networking of the participants in the healthcare sector, such as for data transfer between doctors and for communication between doctor and patient, are also on the advance. Many MEDICA exhibitors demonstrated what these ‘mHealth’ (mobile health) applications, which are very much in line with current trends, are already accomplishing today in order to accelerate care and make it less complicated. In the final pitches of the 8th MEDICA App COMPETITION, the “SynPhNe” team (Singapore) won the contest for the world’s best health app solution. They developed the first networked, portable solution that trains both the brain and the muscles in mobilization therapy. This will help increase the functional independence of people with disabilities, such as those who have suffered a stroke or multiple injuries.

The dominant topics of the healthcare industry and individual medical specialist interest areas were also reflected in lectures and discussions at the accompanying congresses and conferences. The 42nd German Hospital Day had more than 2,000 decision-makers from clinic management. Sebastian Kienle, one of the world’s best triathletes, was among the celebrity guests. He provided insights regarding the extent to which ‘performance medicine’ drives elite performances and successes such as the bronze medal he recently won at the Ironman competition in Hawaii. Kienle relies on the latest technologies for his training. He reported on the data, generated in real time, which he uses to guide his preparation, competitive strategy and recovery after an event.

“Micro-technologies are key to the digitalization of medical technology. Without miniaturized components and processes that enable ultra-precise manufacturing, portable and networked devices that transmit and evaluate vital parameters or medication would not be possible,” explains Dr. Thomas Dietrich, Executive Director of the IVAM Professional Association for Microtechnology. 

MEDICA has the release.