Spokesperson: Prof. Alexander Schlaefer, schlaefer(a)tuhh.de

Deputy Spokesperson: Prof. Michael Morlock, morlock(a)tuhh.de

Modern patient care is unthinkable without the continuous improvement of implants and diagnostic procedures over the last 50 years. Diseases can now be detected much earlier and treated better. Future improvements require joint efforts of all engineering disciplines together with the medical specialties. Modern imaging techniques in combination with machine learning methods as well as the improvement of surgical procedures play an important role in this context. Digitization in combination with classical electrotechnical, mechanical and biotechnological approaches is the way of the future to solve health problems of an aging society.

The TUHH covers the current topics in medical technology both in basic research and in applied research. The close research cooperation with the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) under the umbrella of the joint Medical Technology Research Center (FMTHH) provides the ideal conditions for this. New methods and procedures developed at the TUHH can thus be tested and further developed in a clinical environment. Young scientists from the fields of engineering and medicine thus learn to work together in joint projects at an early stage.

The focus of research in the FSP is on

• Imaging methods (Institute for Biomedical Imaging),
• navigation and robotics in combination with machine learning methods for the interpretation of images and signals (Institute of Medical Engineering and Intelligent Systems),
• Microelectronic sensors, implants and organ-on-chip (Institute of Microsystems Engineering),
• Human-machine interfaces (Institute of Integrated Circuits),
• Endoprosthesis, implants and biomechanics (Institute of Biomechanics),
• 3d tissue models and tissue engineering (Institute of Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering and Institute of Continuum and Materials Mechanics),
• Customizable simulation models e.g. for replicating the patient-specific blood circulation system using additive manufacturing techniques (Product Development and Design Engineering).

In addition to carrying out numerous DFG and BMBF projects, the Interdisciplinary Competence Center for Interface Research (ICCIR) investigates and optimizes the properties and interactions of materials and tissues at interfaces. Intelligent medical implants based on optoelectronic components for new human-machine interfaces are being researched in the I3-Lab HELIOS. The I3-Lab M4 focuses on the modeling of soft tissue by machine learning methods. In addition to these basic research-oriented projects, there is close cooperation with local, national and international medical technology companies (including B. Braun Aesculap, DePuy Synthes, Philips, Essity). Continuing education of physicians together with the relevant professional associations enables the transfer of the latest findings directly into application

An independent master's degree program in medical engineering with 3 specializations covers the entire breadth of the research field. In the master's degree programs of all deaneries, specializations from medical engineering can be taken.