Spectrum of Research and Services

R&D projects are carried out on a success-oriented basis in phases, starting with a technical market research study which forms the basis for the feasibility study, prototype development and field testing (clinical study), right up to the development of cost-optimized manufacturing technologies. Companies can be named for service and production of sensors and microsystems.

Practical relevance: The projects are carried out at the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT) in close contact with the respective customer to guarantee the greatest possible practical relevance. Customer proximity is a characteristic and an important requirement in order to meet the needs of the market with basic research.

Flexibility: The concrete form, the orientation and scope of project work are based on the requirements and wishes of the customer or client.

Synergy: The integration into the research strategy of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft with its 76 institutes and research establishments and the Life Sciences Group founded in 2001 which, in the meantime, includes six Fraunhofer institutes (IBMT, IGB, IME, ITEM, IVV und IZI) and one Fraunhofer research establishment (EMB) creates synergies. Expertise from different research fields can be used in cooperation to allow the competent processing of multidisciplinary issues. Complete value-added chains are offered for IBMT customers on the basis of cooperation agreements.

Quality: On-time delivery and reliability characterize the work of the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering. The compilation of the specifications in cooperation with the client ensures that the contents are correctly coordinated and that projects are dealt with in a timely manner.

Value for money: Research and development contracts are carried out on a cost basis. As an institute of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the IBMT is a non-profit organization and finances the necessary application-oriented research and preliminary research mainly from funds of public clients.

R&D results: After completion of an R&D project, the results are made available to the customer.

Confidentiality: Inquiries will be kept strictly confidential at the request of the customer.

Phase Model: Project work is carried out in the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering as follows: The project starts with a scientific-technical consultation process. The possible problems of the project can be examined here and the project risk estimated on the basis of existing know-how, as well as literature, patent and market research. This is followed by a feasibility study, which specifies the project and estimates the costs. A laboratory prototype development provides practical function verification in the form of a demonstrator. This phase leads to the field prototype development at the end of which extensive tests are carried out. The redesign, technology-optimization, small-scale production and technology transfer are elements of pre-production. The IBMT also assists in quality assurance and marketing of the product. This provides support for the production start-up and helps to minimize risks during production. The customer has the option of dividing up his order on a phase-to-phase basis and can decide at the end of each phase, whether it is worth starting the next phase. This criterion helps the customer as well as the IBMT in granting or accepting the order, and leads to manageable, predictable project schedules and costs.