by
Sean Ruck, Contributing Editor | October 03, 2017
From the October 2017 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
HCB News: What is MEDICA’s greatest strength as a show and conference?
JS: In a worldwide unique collaboration, MEDICA and the supplier trade fair COMPAMED (approximately 800 exhibitors), which runs concurrently, work together to represent the entire process chain and the full range of medical products, devices and instruments. Together, they occupy the entire Düsseldorf trade show complex. The complete workflow for patient treatment is the focus at MEDICA, in one place and at a set time: every year in November. The diversity of products on display is unique worldwide.
HCB News: What event, presentation or technology are you most eager to see at this year’s MEDICA?
JS: The topic of artificial intelligence is incredibly exciting and has also taken the health care industry by storm. Consequently, it has secured a place on the agenda at this year’s MEDICA Health IT Forum (Hall 15). A robot programmed to place needles for infusions or biopsies has already stunned our professional audience by demonstrating its skill at MEDICA 2016. It was clear for all to see that what we once considered science fiction is currently at the threshold of being used in concrete applications. This is also true of the medical imaging sector. The first applications created from a foundation of artificial intelligence in order to automatically detect potential tumors using digitally generated image data from CT or MRI systems are about to be launched on the market. In addition, there are many innovations in the wearables sector, which are used to capture a huge range of vital signs, working in conjunction with apps designed for these purposes. The Wearables Technology Show, the sessions in the MEDICA Connected Healthcare Forum and the MEDICA App Competition are highly recommended for all interested in getting more information.
HCB News: Are there any other updates about the show that you would like to share?
JS: This year, there’s a new English speaking MEDICA Labmed Forum in Hall 18. Four themed days offer a range of exciting presentations and panel discussions on the following highlights: screening for cancers, cardiac and circulatory disorders, innovative diagnostic tools for diabetes and infection and migration. The events all start at 11 a.m. and end at 4 p.m. and are free for trade fair visitors who have MEDICA tickets. The MEDICA Academy is also celebrating its premier this year, constituting a highlight of the MEDICA conference program. It focuses on “blockbuster” topics within medical practice. Updates on imaging processes, the latest surgical procedures and an ultrasound refresher course are all included in this. You can go online to find out which sessions will be simultaneously interpreted into English before you arrive at MEDICA.
Creative start-ups play an important role in the digitalization of the medical world. They have been awarded their own “platform” for the very first time at MEDICA 2017, the new MEDICA Start-Up Park. Up to 40 start-ups will be ready to go in Hall 15, taking over a space of 500 square meters (5,382 square feet). There, they’ll meet potential business partners, investors and distribution partners from all over the world.
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