Initiatives

Working at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic, Fraunhofer experts are supporting the efforts of industry and society to cope with the immediate effects and the consequences to come.

An innovative measurement method is helping to detect people infected with coronavirus from a safe distance. It detects fever, increased pulse rates and fast breathing without endangering the person conducting the testing. Fraunhofer IPA and Fraunhofer IAO are currently testing the procedure at the Robert Bosch Hospital in Stuttgart.

For more information please visit the following website

Proximity tracing apps are a digital option for efforts to contain the coronavirus pandemic currently underway. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft has developed an approach of its own for a German proximity tracing app. Using Bluetooth technology on cell phones to measure distance and time, it is to send digital notifications to people who are at risk of a SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim is to develop an IT system with digital tools to augment health authorities’ processes.

For more information please visit the following website

Fraunhofer is also playing an important, but indirect role in the fight against the coronavirus via its spin-offs. The Robert Koch Institute’s data donation app was developed by the start-up Thryve – a spin-off of the Fraunhofer Institute for Computer Graphics Research IGD in Darmstadt.

 

M3Infekt is a cluster project that aims to develop a patient monitoring system to enable early intervention should a patient’s condition suddenly deteriorate, using the example of COVID-19 sufferers. By facilitating the required intervention at an early stage, the system helps to slow the progression of the disease, shorten the duration of treatment and make flexible use of intensive care units (ICUs). In the long term, the system addresses decentralized monitoring of patients on regular wards and in non-hospital environments.

You can find more information here

As part of the Filter4Flow project, we are working on a novel technology for monitoring patients’ breathing. It improves clinical treatment processes, allows respiratory parameters to be recorded close to the patient and can be used outside the ICU.
Our smart virus filter revolutionizes respiratory monitoring for patients suffering from conditions such as SARS-CoV-2 by filtering out harmful particles from the air while also continuously monitoring all relevant parameters (breathing flow, oxygen level, tidal volume, etc.). This means that patients can be given ideal respiratory assistance at all times. The design allows filters and sensors to be replaced quickly and easily, thus making life easier for the nursing staff. The simplicity of the application means that it can even be used outside medical institutions, for example in developing countries or crisis regions.

You can find more information here
 

The pandemic management app provides health authorities and hospitals with a straightforward way of keeping in touch with patients as well as people placed in quarantine because they may have been infected with COVID-19. By answering a series of daily questions, patients can digitally transmit information relating to factors such as temperature, pulse rate and blood pressure without leaving home. The data is then made available to the treating physician or responsible health authority on a clearly structured dashboard. The goal is to guarantee the continuous monitoring of each patient’s condition, making it possible to intervene immediately should that condition drastically deteriorate.

You can find more information here

The new prototype of the mobile disinfection robot “DeKonBot” is an automation solution that independently cleans and disinfects potentially contaminated areas such as door handles, light switches, or elevator buttons. Compared to cleaning by hand, the use of robots reduces the risk of infection for the cleaning staff and at the same time ensures that the cleaning task is carried out reliably and traceably. The continuous use of the robot, even during the night, means that cleaning jobs can be performed more frequently than if carried out manually.

You can find more information here