Trans-Belt Medical Robotics Cluster

Trans-Belt Medical Robotics Cluster (Trans-Belt MRC) strengthens innovation in medical robotics by creating a cluster between Odense (Denmark) and Lübeck (Germany). The cluster aims to foster collaboration between public and private partners to accelerate the sharing of innovative robotic medical solutions for healthcare systems on both sides of the border.

Imagine a world where new medical robots reach the patients who need them faster.
Where ideas are not lost between national borders, and where researchers, hospitals and companies work as one community. This is the vision behind Trans-Belt MRC.

Building bridges between Denmark and Germany

The project builds bridges between Denmark and Germany to facilitate the development and testing of medical robots. Even though our two countries are similar, differences in work routines, rules and culture can slow down good ideas. Here, Trans-Belt MRC creates a shortcut. We are joining forces in a joint cluster with strong centres in Odense and Lübeck – places where skilled experts and advanced test facilities already exist.

Work closely with researchers and hospitals

In this new cluster, companies can work closely with researchers and hospitals. They will have access to realistic test environments where robots can be tested, adapted and made safer for both staff and patients. The goal is to get better solutions into reality faster.
The project also investigates why some innovations slide easily through the system while others stall.
Two specific cases help us understand the barriers – one where the technology is almost ready for use, and one where the idea is still in its early form.

Learn from best practices

The experiences are compiled as “best practices” that companies across the entire region can learn from.
The challenges require a joint initiative across the border – and together, the Trans-Belt region can strengthen its innovative power, create new opportunities for businesses and ensure better treatment for citizens in both countries.

Objectives of the project

The analysis of barriers to innovation sharing is examined on the basis of two cases: ROPCA’s ARTHUR robot, which is specifically designed for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, which is already at a high level of technical readiness, and Stryker, which focuses on adapting technologies for automation in the healthcare sector at a low level of technical readiness.

The results will be incorporated into the cluster as best practice, so that the results can be used by companies in the region. Hospitals will contribute their clinical expertise to the development and implementation of best practices so that clinical requirements, such as those relating to interfaces with hospital systems, are taken into account.

Overall, the project will

  1. Investigate barriers to innovation sharing between Denmark and Germany
  2. Use the ARTHUR robot for rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis to demonstrate technology implementation across national borders
  3. Develop guidelines and workflows for the introduction of medical robotics across different healthcare systems
  4. Strengthen regional innovation ecosystems, support SMEs and increase the international visibility of the medical robotics sector
  5. By connecting research, clinical expertise and industry, Trans-Belt MRC aims to improve patient care, support healthy aging and contribute to the EU’s innovation and health strategies in the Baltic Sea Region.

The project is co-financed by the EU’s Interreg Deutschland-Danmark programme.

 

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