Survey of the translation situation in the Lower Saxony Center for Biomedical Engineering Implant Research and Development (NIFE) and involved clinics

Objective:

Compared to the wealth of innovative, application-oriented research projects, the proportion of commercially exploited innovations in medical technology is low. A major reason for this problem is the lack of translation from research to product. The aim of this study is to identify and mitigate translation barriers to provide patients with faster access to innovative medical devices and better healthcare.

Methods:

Acquisition of translation activities and knowledge of the participating scientists and physicians in preclinical and clinical studies for the conception and execution of training courses.

Results:

The study landscape is inhomogeneous and can therefore only be described qualitatively at this point. A major obstacle is the time limitation of most projects, so that after the end of a research project, continuity is often not guaranteed to allow for the next step in translation. In addition, the translation is insufficiently addressed in the education of scientists and physicians, so that the translation as a goal often can not be served in the right way. Translational skills were imparted during training sessions. By bringing the training content into the TRAIN Academy, this approach has been strengthened.

Conclusion:

In order to promote translation, an appropriate education of scientists and physicians is an important basis. Above all, it should strengthen the interdisciplinary cooperation of all actors involved. A change in the funding landscape would be another important step, but its effectiveness could only become apparent in the long term.

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)