During her trip to Japan, Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek visited the OCTmapp research alliance. Within the framework of OCTmapp, the Fraunhofer IPT and the Tokyo Women’s Medical University (TWMU) are establishing an international network and research structure in Japan on the topic of optical coherence tomography for new medical applications. At the TWMU in Tokyo, the Minister looked at how German-Japanese research cooperation works in practice.

The non-invasive imaging method of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is already excellently suited for investigating the structure of organic tissue. OCT has therefore long since become routine in ophthalmology for retinal diagnostics. However, there is also a need to develop further medical applications. OCT permits tumor tissue to be detected at an early stage of the disease, for example in visceral surgery, otorhinolaryngology (ENT) or neurosurgery. Cartilage tissue can also be examined more closely in the diagnosis of osteoarthritis than with other imaging methods. OCT not only provides high quality imaging, but also protects patients from radiation exposure and provides immediate examination results. In the clinical everyday life of many medical disciplines, however, there is still a lack of know-how on possible applications. In the coming years, the market for OCT systems is expected to grow primarily in minimally invasive surgery and non-invasive applications.

Optical Coherence Tomography Overcomes Limits through Artificial Intelligence and Deep Learning

Artificial intelligence not only supports physicians in their work, but could also help to establish medical imaging methods such as OCT more swiftly and bring them to market. For example, computers can learn the histological findings and, with the help of OCT, make this know-how available to the surgeon during an operation. The researchers also want to overcome the physical limits of the technology with deep learning algorithms and map not only tissue but also cells.

During their visit, Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek and the President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Reimund Neugebauer, together with the Presidents of the DFG, the Helmholtz Association, the Leibniz Association, and members of the German Bundestag, gained an impression of the OCT technology and its application in the HyperSCOT intelligent operating theatre at the TWMU.

OCTmapp: International research cooperation between Fraunhofer IPT and Tokyo Women’s Medical University

Establishing an international­ network and research structure on the topic of OCT for new medical applications in Japan is the goal of the research project "Optical Coherence Tomography for New Medical Applications", OCTmapp for short, which the Fraunhofer IPT and the Institute for Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science at Tokyo Women’s Medical University are working on. The Fraunhofer Center for International Management and Knowledge Economics IMW contributes its socio-economic competence to the project for the development and implementation of a successful commercialization strategy. During the five-year project period, the­ partners from Germany and Japan will jointly identify measures to create a financially self-sustaining German-Japanese ­research institution. The Fraunhofer IPT and the TWMU sealed the foundation of the research alliance OCTmapp and the joint research facility in Tokyo by signing an official cooperation agreement in November 2018. The project "OCTmapp" is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Über Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnologie IPT

Das Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnologie IPT vereint langjähriges Wissen und Erfahrung aus allen Gebieten der Produktionstechnik. In den Bereichen Prozesstechnologie, Produktionsmaschinen, Produktionsqualität und Messtechnik sowie Technologiemanagement bietet das Fraunhofer IPT seinen Kunden und Projektpartnern angewandte Forschung und Entwicklung für die vernetzte, adaptive Produktion. Das Leistungsspektrum des Instituts orientiert sich an den individuellen Aufgaben und Herausforderungen innerhalb bestimmter Branchen, Technologien und Produktbereiche, darunter Automobilbau und -zulieferer, Energie, Life Sciences, Luftfahrt, Maschinen- und Anlagenbau, Optik, Präzisions- und Mikrotechnik sowie Werkzeug- und Formenbau.

Firmenkontakt und Herausgeber der Meldung:

Fraunhofer-Institut für Produktionstechnologie IPT
Steinbachstraße 17
52074 Aachen
Telefon: + 49 241 8904-0
Telefax: + 49 2 41 8904-198
http://www.ipt.fraunhofer.de

Ansprechpartner:
Dipl. -Phys. Niels König
Abteilungsleiter
Telefon: +49 (241) 8904-113
E-Mail: niels.koenig@ipt.fraunhofer.de
Sara Vogelsang
Externe und interne Kommunikation
Telefon: +49 (241) 8904-326
E-Mail: presse@ipt.fraunhofer.de
Für die oben stehende Pressemitteilung ist allein der jeweils angegebene Herausgeber (siehe Firmenkontakt oben) verantwortlich. Dieser ist in der Regel auch Urheber des Pressetextes, sowie der angehängten Bild-, Ton-, Video-, Medien- und Informationsmaterialien. Die United News Network GmbH übernimmt keine Haftung für die Korrektheit oder Vollständigkeit der dargestellten Meldung. Auch bei Übertragungsfehlern oder anderen Störungen haftet sie nur im Fall von Vorsatz oder grober Fahrlässigkeit. Die Nutzung von hier archivierten Informationen zur Eigeninformation und redaktionellen Weiterverarbeitung ist in der Regel kostenfrei. Bitte klären Sie vor einer Weiterverwendung urheberrechtliche Fragen mit dem angegebenen Herausgeber. Eine systematische Speicherung dieser Daten sowie die Verwendung auch von Teilen dieses Datenbankwerks sind nur mit schriftlicher Genehmigung durch die United News Network GmbH gestattet.