Pushing the boundaries of MedTech

8min
Published on 29. Januar 2021

How far do the capabilities of intelligent imaging or state-of-the-art laboratory diagnostics reach? And how will digital solutions impact the future of patient care? Immerse yourself in the world of medical technology at the upcoming Annual Shareholders' Meeting on February 12th, 2021.

With 120 years of experience in medical technology, 18,500 intellectual property rights, and 240,000 patients who come into contact with our systems every hour, Siemens Healthineers is a true MedTech leader. Our unique pioneering spirit has been driving the company for more than a century. It is evident in everything we do and reflects our enduring commitment to providing patients with the best possible medical care.

Today, more than 50,000 great minds in over 70 countries are working on the gold standard of tomorrow by bringing visions to life and constantly advancing established technologies. Above all, we focus on medical networking and are pushing the boundaries of our capabilities every day: Large amounts of data are driving new insights, physician-guided use of robotics is revolutionizing treatment pathways, and AI algorithms are optimizing workflows through dedicated training. Advancing digitalization holds extraordinary possibilities that will shape the future of our healthcare system.

Despite all the achievements, the past year was a tough one for the healthcare industry: although the crisis has acted as an acceleration for technologies or revealed their full potential, there were many challenges. Despite all, we are working together more than ever to find solutions that are contributing to the fight against COVID-19.

Discover below which innovations in laboratory diagnostics and imaging are making an impact and explore the potential of digital solutions that are paving the way for comprehensive patient care in the future.

As a shareholder, you can attend here our first-time virtual Annual Shareholders' Meeting on February 12, 2021, to gain even more insights into the latest advances that are making a difference in medical technology.

Every remedy or treatment for a disease begins with a correct diagnosis. Complex procedures are used to detect even the smallest traces of disease-typical substances, antibodies, and even genetic components to help make the next decisions in the treatment pathway. However, laboratory diagnostic procedures are not only used to search for traces of diseases. Pioneering lab and point-of-care solutions are already responding to the manifold medical, operational, and financial challenges of healthcare.

More than half a century of expertise

From the introduction of CLINITEST tablets in the mid-20th century for measuring blood glucose in urine, to state-of-the-art solutions for fully automated analytical systems for clinical chemistry or molecular diagnostics (which are becoming increasingly relevant in the context of pandemic diseases) – we offer technologies that put patient care at their center.

With its 125th anniversary in 2020, medical imaging, especially X-ray technology, is one of the oldest medical innovations – and it is continually evolving. More than a century ago, people gazed in amazement at the first X-ray image of a hand, which revealed hidden structures in the body.

A revolution in intelligent medical imaging is underway

Today, our aim is not just to keep refining imaging so that it can visualize ever-smaller structures. We also want to take the next step and contribute to another revolution in medical imaging by combining imaging and intelligent devices. Examples of this are robot-assisted systems in the operating room and novel 3D visualizations of organs using imaging to help surgeons plan interventions even more accurately in the future.

The cornerstone of all innovation today is digitalization. It is the foundation that enables completely new, connected healthcare options in patient care. Complex programming enables medical technology systems to cooperate and communicate with each other – even over long distances. This allows clinical experts to use them without actually being on site. It can also be valuable for bundling and detecting large amounts of data in clinical environments. A physician can then review all relevant information at a glance and immediately initiate appropriate diagnostic and treatment options.

Artificial intelligence is finding its way into everyday clinical practice

This happens when specially trained algorithms take on defined tasks. In some cases, they recognize patterns in the data jungle and thereby provide initial, valuable clues for identifying abnormalities on medical images. From relieving clinical staff, to enabling treatment over greater distances, to supporting targeted networking in the clinical care of patients – all the developments around artificial intelligence are great first milestones and give us a hint of the diverse potential that awaits us in the future.

Our pioneering spirit is rooted in a long history of innovation and a 120-year track record of industry firsts. We will continue to innovate to keep finding new ways of optimally supporting healthcare professionals while providing better access to quality care for patients around the globe.