Fraunhofer ENAS presents a rapid virus test for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and an electronic wound patch to stimulate healing processes at virtual.COMPAMED 2020

Chemnitz /

Get a proof of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus or of immunity to the virus within one hour. Accelerate healing processes with electrical stimulation through an active wound patch. Fraunhofer ENAS will present these and other topics for the first time from November 16-19 at the digital medical technology trade fair virtual.COMPAMED 2020.

Active wound plaster.
© Fraunhofer ENAS
Active wound plaster.
Measuring sphere from the Sens-o-Spheres project.
© TU Dresden
Measuring sphere from the Sens-o-Spheres project.
AlN-based 1D micro scanner with integrated position sensor.
© Fraunhofer ENAS
AlN-based 1D micro scanner with integrated position sensor.

At this year's digital medical trade fair virtual.COMPAMED, the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems ENAS will be presenting, among other things, projects designed to help contain the current CORONA pandemic. Visitors to virtual.COMPAMED can obtain information online at the exhibitor portal and can enter into discussions with the experts live via chat or video call at the trade fair platform www.compamed.de from November 16-19, 2020.

Test system for rapid SARS-CoV-2 virus detection

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has initiated a number of projects with the action program »Fraunhofer vs. Corona«, which are intended to help fight against the current pandemic. At virtual.COMPAMED, Fraunhofer ENAS will present one of these projects under the title »CovMoTe«. Since the high infectivity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus exceeds the current capacities of the available test resources for direct virus detection, the search is on for methods that provide a fast and detailed picture of the infection status. In the joint Fraunhofer project CovMoTe, Fraunhofer ENAS is working together with the Fraunhofer Institutes IME, ISIT, IBMT and EMFT on the development of a mobile combined test system for the sustained acceleration of the SARS-CoV-2 virus detection and the proof of existing immunity. The use of highly innovative techniques (neo-LAMP, electronic biochips) enables a test result within one hour for virus RNA detection. The addition of the immunity status to the test also allows a comprehensive assessment of the infection status. Fraunhofer ENAS, together with Fraunhofer ISIT, enables the decentralized performance of virus and immune detection by transferring the assay to their microfluidic platform.

Active electronic wound patch for stimulating cells

Besides other CORONA-related projects, the institute presents developments in the field of micro sensor and actuator technology for medical technology, microfluidic systems, materials for medical products and wearables. For active wound plasters with electrical stimulation, Fraunhofer ENAS developed special coating processes and material combinations for the production of robust electrically conductive electrodes on flexible substrates. Simulation models for calculating the electric field strengths in heterogeneous dielectric ambient conditions were also developed. The integration of biocompatible electrode structures in wound dressings in combination with a corresponding activation and application of voltage actively influenced the cells during the healing process.

Wireless power transmission for measurement technology in bioreactors

In the field of measurement technology and analytics, the institute presents the »Sens-o-Spheres« measurement system, a joint development of TU Dresden, SAAS GmbH, e-nema GmbH, IMST GmbH, Ökoplast GmbH and Fraunhofer ENAS, funded by the BMBF. The system records process parameters in bioreactors using measuring spheres. In a sub-project, Fraunhofer ENAS developed a communication system specially optimized for the inside of the spheres and an interface for wireless energy transmission for recharging the batteries independent of their position. In combination with an intelligent control of each energy-transmitting coil, a high charging coverage for the complex system could be achieved for the simultaneous charging of several sensors.

Materials for medical devices and implants

Another focus of the presentation is on materials used for micro sensors, actuators and for encapsulating systems. Fraunhofer ENAS develops microsystems based on the piezoelectric material aluminum nitride (AlN). As actuator and sensor material, AlN offers the possibility of a high degree of miniaturization to enable the further development of micro scanners for high-precision endoscopic systems. For biocompatible encapsulation, Fraunhofer ENAS relies on the polymer material Parylene. The institute develops processes for the deposition of different types of Parylene for high-quality thin-film encapsulation of medical implants, MEMS and organic electronics. The Parylene layers are characterized by high conformity, biocompatibility according to ISO 10993, chemical inertness and optical transparency and are free of internal mechanical stress.

 

These and further developments can be found online on the internet portal www.compamed.de. With a free registration, visitors of virtual.COMPAMED can also attend live presentations and enter into direct discussions with the experts in the matchmaking portal from November 16-19, 2020.

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