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research school of technology and health 1 contents KTH STH Basic facts..........................................................................................................3 Design, Work Environment, Safety and Health; DASH............................................. 4 Centre for Health and Building;CHB.............................................................................5 Ergonomics...................................................................................................................... 12 Informatics, logistics and management...................................................................20 Medical Sensors, Signals and Systems...................................................................... 24 Medical Engineering......................................................................................................30 Neuronic Engineering....................................................................................................40 Environmental Physiology............................................................................................46 Patient Safety................................................................................................................. 52 Structural Biotechnology.............................................................................................. 58 Centre for Technology, Medicine and Health, CTMH.................................................64 2 school of technology and health kth sth basic facts research and development - revenues from external funding: 2011 2012 49,6 million SEK 55,6 million SEK (estimated budget) research funders: EU Stockholm County Council Erling-Persson Family Foundation Vårdal Foundation Swedish Research Council Municipality of Haninge Vinnova Knowledge Foundation Huddinge Foundation Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation Swedish Institute of Assistive Technology SIDA Government Offices of Sweden AFA Insurance Swedish Council for Working Life and Social Research Swedish Board of Agriculture Stockholm County Administrative Board National Board of Health and Welfare European Space Agency Micasa Fastigheter AB HSB ProMobilia Mawell AB GE Healthcare KTH Life Science Technology Platform KTH Innovation Innovationsbron Swedish Armed Forces Swedish Defence Material Administration SAAB Aerotech b-Cat Interspiro Poseidon Diving Systems Maquet Critical Care Fraenckel Foundation school of technology and health 3 design, work environment, safety and health; dash 4 school of technology and health head of division and centre: tore j larsson The activities at Design, Work Environment, Safety and Health Division, DASH, are essentially carried out within the framework of the Centre for Health and Building, CHB. centre for health and building; chb The Centre for Health and Building is an interdisciplinary centre for research, technology and competence development within the most important fields in the local community of the future. The centre works with questions concerning technical solutions in the built environment, on the basis of health, security and ecological balance. The main research areas are: - Technology in the dwelling as a health care building/Innovations for health and active ageing. - Sustainability, good living environment and preventive health. - Health care logistics and distribution, security, risk and vulnerability. research areas: 20103 Building Technologies 20105 Transport Systems and Logistics 20199 Other Civil Engineering 20604 Medical Equipment Engineering 20605 Medical Ergonomics 30222 Geriatrics 30301 Healthcare Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy 30303 Occupational Health and Environmental Health CHB’s full-scale laboratory participates in implementing new technologies to help people live independent lives despite disabilities. Features and installation methods are tested in the laboratory before being passed on to field research in humans, or to display environments where people can see and try products supporting their needs. school of technology and health 5 partners – industry and public sector Acreo, Berga Naturbruksgymnasium, Ericsson, Fabege, Municipality of Haninge, Swedish Institute of Assistive Technology, HSB Omsorg, Hälsans nya verktyg, Swedish Board of Agriculture, Municipality of Linköping, Stockholm County Administrative Board, Micasa Fastigheter in Stockholm, Mobile Robotics Sweden, Municipality of Nynäshamn, ProMobilia, Swedish Association for Survivors of Accident and Injury, SABO, SICS, Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, Stockholm County Council, Swedish Research Council, Vinnova, VVS-byrån. ongoing research projects • Adjustment of dwellings and accessibility • DAMMED: Security, Risk and Resilience around the Dams in Sub Arctica • Eco Pilots • Ergonomics and transfers in the bathroom • Footprints and future • Local Cultivation- Global Impact Part 1 – Development of a communications system Part 2 – Development of a national concept for waste heat driven ecocycle adapted greenhouses Part 3 – In-depth study of a waste heat driven ecocycle adapted greenhouse in Berga, Haninge • The walking frame as a lifting device • Safety management in the building process – the construction planner’s influence on the work environment • Roller door for residential use • Video Phone for Alzheimer patients • The Management and Logistics of Care Part 1 – The Chain-of-Care in reality Part 2 – Video phone for primary care diagnostics • Walking frame accessibility – basic requirements for Swedish housing • Salt water penetration in wells partners – universities and institutes Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienst und Wohlfahrtspflege, Germany, Cambridge University, Central Queensland University, Technical University of Denmark, Imperial College, Karolinska Institutet, Luleå University of Technology, Umeå University, Uppsala University, Zaragoza University. 6 school of technology and health Adjustment of dwellings and accessibility Eco Pilots Research leader: Professor Tore J Larsson Research leader: Associate Professor Eva-Lotta Thunqvist Researcher: PhD Student Hanna Svensson An initial study will invent how ordinary homes in ten Swedish councils are being adapted and given increased accessibility, and evaluate the cost efficiency of the different methods used. A second study will analyze how the actions taken correspond to the needs of the elderly. In further studies, conclusions from previous studies will be practically implemented in a new infrastructural and housing project in the municipality of Haninge. DAMMED – Security, Risk and Resilience around the Dams in Sub Arctica Research leader: PhD May-Britt Öhman, Uppsala University Researchers: PhD Elisabeth Ilskog, Project leader Anna Wahlberg A number of Eco Pilots have been established in the municipalities of Haninge and Tyresö. They are, through coaching and education, helped to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions and other environmental impact. The purpose is to visualize the possibilities, due to lifestyle changes, for municipal inhabitants and employees of increasing their purchase of local products and of reducing the external carbon footprint and the consumption of virtual water. Ergonomics and transfers in the bathroom Research leader: Professor Tore J Larsson Researchers: Associate Professor Eva-Lotta Thunqvist, Associate Professor Maria Udén, Luleå University of Technology, Associate Professor Camilla Sandström, Umeå University Researcher: PhD Student Jenny Hjalmarson A supradisciplinary and gender research project which analyzes the sociotechnical aspects of security, safety and risk in regard to large dams through the integrated lenses of four scientific disciplines. The tasks of assisting disabled persons are analyzed with help from 30 professional home care staffs. Installations, configuration of supports, equipment, postures, workload and job techniques are empirically assessed in the full-scale laboratory, in order to define good design and methods. The project draws primarily on qualitative research and a collaborative approach with local and regional stakeholders in the north of Sweden and national authorities and organizations. The bathroom and toilet are critical functions for independent living and present problems to caregivers in terms of workload and job techniques. school of technology and health 7 Footprints and future Research leader: Associate Professor Eva-Lotta Thunqvist Researchers: Assistant Professor Stefan Lundberg, PhD Elisabeth Ilskog There has to be easier methods than the Ecological footprint-analysis to estimate the consumption of energy and other resources, that yet make it possible to compare the status of a country or region. The aim of the study is to develop a simple methodology based on present research, measuring the environmental balance of a local society, to identify activities with a high rate of consumption and to show consequences for infrastructure and planning. Local Cultivation - Global Impact Researchers leaders: Associate Professor EvaLotta Thunqvist, PhD Elisabeth Ilskog Part 1 – Development of a communications system Creating a strategy for communication of questions regarding sustainable development and how consumption in Sweden affects the climate. The strategy will constitute an important basis in the planned establishment of a centre for environmental communication, cultivation and research. Part 2 – Development of a national concept for waste heat driven ecocycle adapted greenhouses Greenhouses are big energy consumers, and will soon no longer be exempted from energy and carbon taxation. To use waste heat could be a way of reducing energy costs. The study comprehends an inventory of the supply for waste heat on the Swedish market, with special emphasis on appliance in greenhouses. 8 Part 3 – In-depth study of a waste heat driven ecocycle adapted greenhouse in Berga, Haninge An in-depth pilot study of a waste energy driven greenhouse for demonstration and further development to a concept which can be applied in other locations to create new business concepts and contribute to develop and link together rural and urban areas. The walking frame as a lifting device Research leader: Professor Tore J Larsson Researchers: Research Engineer Bo Glimskär, PhD Student Jenny Hjalmarson Falls are a big manual handling problem and constitute one of the heaviest and most risky tasks in care work. A technical development project seeks different solutions for combining the walking frame with a manual support and lifting device, particularly aimed at assisting people to get up from the floor. Safety management in the building process – the construction planner’s influence on the work environment Research leader: Professor Tore J Larsson Researchers: PhD Student Lena Almén Part-project: Work environmental coordinators in construction projects. Since 2009, every construction project must have two work environmental coordinators, one for the performance (BAS-U) and another one for the planning (BAS-P). The coordinators shall work together with other participants in the project to increase the security on the construction site. The purpose of the study is to find out which prerequisites BAS-P has for his/her work. Who are school of technology and health chosen as BAS-P? Which tasks do they perform? Which obstacles do they meet? Roller door for residential use Research leader: Professor Tore J Larsson Researcher: Research Engineer Bo Glimskär Ordinary doors create problems for the disabled in their homes. A roller door solution might be costefficient, since it makes more floor and movement space available. A roller door prototype, aimed to be a cost-efficient retro-fit adjustment solution for inner and bathroom doors, is developed and usability tested in the full-scale living laboratory by persons with disabilities, and by subjects aged over 75. Video Phone for Alzheimer patients Main Research leader: Associate Professor Louise Nygård, Karolinska Institutet Research Leader Sub-Study A: Associate Professor Louise Nygård, Karolinska Institutet Research Leaders Sub-Study B: Assistant Professor Stefan Lundberg, PhD Inga-lill Boman, Karolinska Institutet Two interrelated sub-studies aim to explore and compare self-initiated strategies and potentials for learning and adaptation in technology use in people with Mild Cognitive Impairment, MCI, or Alzheimer’s disease, AD. We also intend to identify what makes technology easy and difficult to use. Another aim is to design and introduce an easy-touse videophone for persons with AD, taking their learning potential and self-initiated management strategies into account. The Management and Logistics of Care Research leader: Professor Tore J Larsson Researchers: Professor Tore J Larsson, Professor Björn-Erik Erlandsson, Assistant Professor Stefan Lundberg, Research Engineer Bo Glimskär, Research Engineer Peter Steiner, PhD Johan Forsberg, Mobile Robotics Sweden AB The project introduces a prototype of a central control tower for council-funded care and assistance in Haninge in order to improve safety management and accessibility in primary and geriatric care. The patients are equipped with a personal computer or device for storing and communicating their personal medical information. Flats and homes will be equipped with sensor technology, remote monitoring systems and technology for medical self care, according to need for assistance and support in home care services. Part 1 – The Chain-of-Care in reality Research leader: Professor Tore J Larsson Sixty people over 65 years of age with multiple diagnoses, who have been granted home services, are asked to keep a diary of all their formal and informal health contacts. During six months, researchers will continuously visit and interview participants and all involved care givers. The mapping of the contact pattern in the 60 chains-of-care will provide basic information for the design of a management and decision support system for distributed primary care and geriatrics. school of technology and health 9 Part 2 – Video phone for primary care diagnostics Salt water penetration in wells Research leader: Professor Tore J Larsson Research leader: Associate Professor Eva-Lotta Thunqvist Researchers: Assistant Professor Stefan Lundberg, Research Engineer Bo Glimskär A video phone capable of transmitting diagnostic data in real time between home and care giver is evaluated with regard to quality and reliability of primary care consultations. Diagnostic scenarios of the most common medical problems in primary healthcare are included in tested distance visitations. The consulting physician will examine the patient via video phone and assess the quality and completeness of the video consultation at a personal meeting. The purpose is to compile analyses of individual wells and to identify areas with risk of increased chloride content. The results of analyses of drinking water taken from a public inventory will form the basis of the study. The study is conducted on assignment by the municipality of Haninge. Special emphasis is placed on identifying increased chloride levels and to investigate probable causes. Walking frame accessibility – basic requirements for Swedish housing Research leader: Professor Tore J Larsson Researchers: Professor Tore J Larsson, PhD Student Hanna Svensson, Research Engineer Bo Glimskär Measurements, technology, access and usability for walking frames will be evaluated empirically for different kinds of target populations and social environments. The study is part of the program Technology for the Elderly, funded by the Government through the Swedish Institute for Assistive Technology, (SIAT). 10 school of technology and health school of technology and health 11 ergonomics 12 school of technology and health head of division: jörgen eklund Ergonomics is a domain of interdisciplinary research and application which, with a holistic approach, handles the interactions between people, technology and organization. The aim is to, through human capabilities and needs, understand and develop theories, principles and methods for designing work systems that are healthy and efficient. At the Ergonomics Division, research is conducted with focus on industrial and healthcarerelated work systems. The research assumes both an organizational and an individual perspective, aiming to create good physical and psychosocial working conditions, while contributing to operational efficiency. research areas: 20307 Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics 30301 Healthcare Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy 30302 Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology 30303 Occupational Health and Environmental Health Research and development projects are run in cooperation with companies and organizations, and are sometimes carried out as assignments. school of technology and health 13 partners – industry and public sector Stockholm County Council, Karolinska Institutet, Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, Uppsala University Hospital, S:t Erik’s Eye Hospital, HUI, KCF, LI, Livs, Scania, Atlas Copco Tools, Arla Foods, Toyota BT, Siemens, Stena, Saab, Astra Zeneca, Volvo, SVT, Sensia. partners – universities and institutes University of Bordeaux, Ryerson University, University of Wisconsin Madison, Hiroshima International University, Vanderbit University, State University of New York in Buffalo, University of Leeds, University of Nottingham, University of Valencia, , DTU, CNAM, Lund University, Chalmers University of Technology, Linköping University, Jönköping University. 14 ongoing research projects • Job content and ergonomic implications of Lean Production - an intervention study • The Production Initiative - Lean in medium-sized manufacturing companies • The Operations Initiative – Lean in municipalities and health care • Healthcare workers and Lean implementation - Working conditions, workers’ health and performance • Meat cutters’ working conditions • Applied behaviour analysis in management • Ergo-Index • Integrating health of optimization models to assess systems of work long-term effectiveness • Occupational Health Services for the future • Lighting in shops – a knowledge overview • Lighting and development of examination rooms. Innovative multifunction rooms in health care • Making use of research based knowledge • Implementation of Lean principles • Leadership and critical media focus • Leadership and stress • Work organization and sick leave in human service organizations school of technology and health Job content and ergonomic implications of Lean Production - an intervention study The Operations Initiative – Research leader: Professor Lotta Dellve Research leader: Professor Jörgen Eklund Researchers: Professor Lotta Dellve, Professor Jörgen Eklund, PhD Student Malin Håkansson Researchers: PhD Student Pernilla Lindskog, PhD Student Mikael Brännmark Lean Production, LP, is a production concept implemented in many Swedish industrial companies. The overall aim is to identify how job content, physical and psychosocial working conditions and health of industrial workers are affected by the introduction of LP. The knowledge produced creates a basis for science-based health promotion strategies that can be incorporated at an early stage in the process of change. Verksamhetslyftet is a national program for health care and municipalities in Sweden, supporting the implementation of Lean Production. The Production Initiative - Lean in medium-sized manufacturing companies Research leader: Professor Jörgen Eklund Researcher: PhD Student Mikael Brännmark Lean in municipalities and health care The project focuses on two research questions: How Lean can be used to conduct sustainable development work and how Lean affects the working conditions of the employees. The research project uses an interactive approach and therefore research will be performed together with the participating organizations and stakeholders. Healthcare workers and Lean implementation - Working conditions, workers’ health and performance Research leader: Professor Lotta Dellve The purpose is to monitor and analyze the experience of Produktionslyftet. The national program supports the implementation of Lean Production in medium-sized manufacturing companies in order to increase the efficiency of industry and to create a national structure of production. Researchers: Professor Jörgen Eklund, Assistant Professor Andrea Eriksson, Research Assistant Anna Williamsson, Assistant Professor Richard Holden, Professor Magnus Sverke, Stockholm One study evaluates the program’s organization and management, steering committees, program management and ownership at the national and regional level. Another study focuses on the effects of the change process in the participating companies. The purpose is to identify how different implementations of Lean Production in different hospitals and clinical units influence healthcare workers. How do working conditions, worker health, engagement, and performance change following the implementation of Lean? How do employee consequences of Lean depend on the characteristics of the unit or hospital and the characteristics of Lean implementation? Four hospitals are being followed during three years, for studies of short and long-term effects. University. school of technology and health 15 Meat cutters’ working conditions Applied behaviour analysis in management Research leader: : Professor Jörgen Eklund Research leader: Associate Professor Ned Carter, Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions Researchers: PhD Student Kjerstin Vogel, Associate Professor Inga-Lill Engkvist, Linköping University, Associate Professor, Göran Hägg, Assistant Professor Johan Karltun. This is an interactive research project, carried out in cooperation with employers and unions together with the meat branch in Sweden. The aim is to improve working conditions for the meat cutters and to improve company performance simultaneously. Issues of musculoskeletal load, safety, work organization and technology used are at stake. Developments of knifes and sharpness of these are of great importance, as well as work pace and quality of work results. Researcher: PhD Student Simon Elvnäs This study intends to identify supervisory behaviours of managers in Swedish workplaces. What do supervisors do when they consider themselves being managerial, and what is the effect on employee or workgroup workmanship and performance? The study also addresses change and improvement of supervisors’ behaviours. It will include data collection of approximately 200 field observations, video documentation, conduct analysis of supervisors, development of analytical methods, measurement techniques, categorization and impact and development of the supervisors’ behaviour. Ergo-Index Research leader: Associate Professor Linda Rose Researcher: Associate Professor Linda Rose The project aims to develop a practical analysis tool, the Ergo-index. It can be used in enterprises to analyze different ways of doing a job from the ergonomic aspects of timing. In this way you can motivate and choose production methods that reduce the physical load and the risk of developing musculoskeletal injuries combined with good production economy. The aim is also to apply the method on some typical tasks in the construction industry, to collect examples of one such bank, and to disseminate results among businesses, educators and researchers. 16 school of technology and health Integrating health of optimization models to assess systems of work long-term effectiveness Research leader: Associate Professor Linda Rose Researcher: PhD Student Carl Lind The aim is to develop, implement, and disseminate an IT-based ergonomic assessment tool for work and provide a framework to find an appropriate way of acting and take action when needed. The tool is made freely available to analyze manual jobs such as warehouse work. Occupational Health Services for the future Research leader: Professor Jörgen Eklund Researchers: Professor Ann-Beth Antonsson, Professor Magnus Svartengren, Swedish Work Environment Authority, Professor Mats Ericson, Post Doc Teresia Nyman, PhD Student Kristin Eliasson, PhD Student Lisa Schmidt. The project focuses on developing methods and tools to analyze contents and driving forces of Occupational Health Services, OHS, and on content and motivations for OHS. Another aim is to come up with methodologies for systematic continuous follow-up and evaluation, which are needed in order for OHS to remain competitive and add business value in a rapidly changing working life. Lighting in shops – a knowledge overview Research leader: Professor Jan Ejhed Researchers: Professor Jan Ejhed, Research Assistant Caroline Moberg Shops use substantially more light and have higher costs for energy than most other companies. The purpose of this project is to make a knowledge overview of the importance of light in shops and of which aspects of light design that attract customers. Lighting and development of examination rooms. Innovative multifunction rooms in health care Research leader: Associate Professor Kristina Fahnehjelm, S:t Erik’s Eye Hospital. Researchers: Professor Jan Ejhed, Professor Jörgen Eklund, Reader Per Nylen, PhD Student Susanne Glimne, S:t Erik’s Eye Hospital, PhD Student Federico Favero A new hospital – The Eye Centre of Excellence, ECE – is planned in Stockholm in 2018. Hospital rooms are aimed at being individually adjustable and designed for ultimate professional outcome. The project aims at finding creative innovations in functionally illuminated and energy saving rooms especially designed for eye care professionals. The solutions will be tested in a multifunctional test room with help from eye care professionals and patients. The resulting knowledge will be used in the planning of ECE. school of technology and health 17 Making use of research based knowledge Research leader: Professor Jörgen Eklund Researchers: PhD Jostein Langstrand, Linköping University, Researcher Annika Vänje ability to successfully implement and sustain a Lean-based business-system. This study is a case study in a mechanical industry. Leadership and critical media focus Research leader: Professor Lotta Dellve This project aims at creating innovative models for knowledge dissemination and for supporting organizations in their processes of change. The focus is in particular to make use of research based knowledge about implementations of Lean. In this project, improvement of working conditions has high priority. Researchers: PhD Student Maria Wramsten Wilmar, Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg and University of Borås, Associate Professor Christian Jacobsson, Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Associate Professor Gunnar Ahlborg, Institute of Stressmedicine, Region Västra Götaland Implementation of Lean principles The increased focus on managers has increased the need for better knowledge about external communication and support related. Research leader: Professor Lars Bengtsson, University of Gävle Researcher: PhD Bengt Halling The purpose of this project is to obtain knowledge about factors and processes that are important for successful and sustainable implementation of Lean principles. One interest is to research if, and in that case, how the Lean implementation process is integrated with health and safety at work and how the Lean implementation affects health among the people in the organization. Management processes in Lean implementation Research leader: Professor Lars Bengtsson, University of Gävle. Researcher: PhD Student Jonas Renström The purpose of this research project is to increase knowledge regarding factors and processes of significance for management processes and their 18 The objective is to increase understanding of how prolonged unfavorable media focus may influence the individual as a persona and his/her managerial practice in the health care organization. The project will produce a knowledge base to be used for practical guidance about external and internal communication processes to individual managers as well as to organizations. Leadership and stress Research leader: Professor Lotta Dellve Researchers: Professor Ewa Wikström, University of Gothenburg Shool of Business, Economics and Law, Researcher Ellinor Tengelin, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Assistant Professor Karin Allard and Associate Professor Anders Pousette, Department of Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Assistant Professor Katrin Skagert, Institute of Stressmedicine, Region Västra Götaland, Professor Annika Härenstam, Department of Sociology, University of Gothenburg . school of technology and health These are qualitative and quantitative research as well as mixed method studies with the overall aim to develop knowledge about organizational and individual conditions of importance for sustainable leadership. Managers’ working conditions are studied and an instrument has been developed. In intervention studies, the effects of feedback to managers are assessed. The knowledge is transformed for practical use in learning labs, web based stress management, study materials, books etc. Work organization and sick leave in human service organizations Research leader: Professor Lotta Dellve Researchers: PhD Student Linda Åhlström and PhD Student Ceilia Ljungblad, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Associate Professor Stefan Scuzs, Department of Social Work, University of Gothenburg, Assistant Professor Kristina Holmgren and Professor Gunnel Hensing, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Gothenburg These are epidemiologic research projects with data from ongoing cohort studies (females on long-term sick leave, nursing personnel in selected organizations) and register studies (all home care workers in Sweden). For some projects, project management for the unique project is at other institutions. The overall aim is to study associations between workers’ health and working conditions, leadership as well as organizational conditions. school of technology and health 19 informatics, logistics and management 20 school of technology and health head of division: björn-erik erlandsson The division was established in 2011 and develops technology to increase the quality, cost efficiency and efficiency of care and thereby the improvement of healthcare and patient safety. The field is interdisciplinary, and needs knowledge from several disciplines to illuminate the interaction between people, technology and organization and the implications on healthcare. The research is directed towards information structure, management and logistics, eHealth in general and the influence of social media on healthcare and nursing. Other areas of interest are the application of the national information structure in healthcare and also how standards for health informatics will improve healthcare and patient safety. Furthermore, the application of ICT tolls for e-Health and e-Learning, the development of smart and affordable diagnostic devices for applications in the developing countries, informatics in medication management are studied for improvement of patient safety. research areas: 10202 Information Systems 20699 Other Medical Engineering 20105 Transport Systems and Logistics 30301 Healthcare Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy 30399 Other Health Sciences 50804 Systems Engineering, Information Systems and Informatics with Social Scientific Orientation. school of technology and health 21 partners – industry and public sector Stockholm County Council, Karolinska University Hospital, Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Swedish Accident Investigation Authority, Swedish Council on Health Technology Assessment, Swedish Standard Institute, Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, Swedish National Board for Health and Welfare, Medical Products Agency, Swedish Association for Local Authorities and Regions, Swedish Medtech, Sweden Bio, Stockholm Medtech Growth, Mawell AB, Scania AB, Medtech West, Nikon, Haninge Kommun, Oslo Naeingseiendom AS, Grameen Communications, Grameenphone, Bangladesh, St Jude Medical in Sweden (to Dec 2011) and other. ongoing research projects • System security in IT-centric systems in healthcare • Social Media in Health Care partners – universities and institutes KTH Executive School, Karolinska Institutet, University of Houston, Umeå University, Karolinska University Hospital, Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Uppsala University Hospital, Bangladesh Engineering University and Medical Universities, Rural ICT Centres, Engineering University, Hyderabad, India, Uppsala University, CEN/CENELEC/ISO. 22 school of technology and health Social Media in Health Care Research leader: Professor Björn-Erik Erlandsson Researcher: MSc Altug Akay Social media enables communication, collaboration, information collection and sharing in the healthcare space. System security in IT-centric systems in healthcare Research leader: Professor Björn-Erik Erlandsson Researcher: MSc Fredrik Ström To extract knowledge and trends, social media could be modeled using available network modeling and computational tools, such as graph theory. A network model could be used for simulation studies of various network properties such as understanding how users disseminate information among themselves. Community detection could facilitate the extraction of valuable information for the healthcare industry, healthcare providers, doctors and patients. The complexity of the IT support used in prescribing pharmaceuticals in healthcare sometimes leads to incorrect prescriptions. Mistakes are made at all stages of pharmaceutical management. The study aims to increase knowledge about the safety of medicines management that can be improved in Swedish healthcare, in order to reduce drug related health adverse events. An area which will especially be studied is how the patient can be involved in drug dealing and be a part of the safety. school of technology and health 23 medical sensors, signals and systems 24 school of technology and health head of division: kaj lindecrantz In the field of Medical Sensors, Signals and Systems (MSSS) the researchers work with recording of physiological signals of various kinds, such as ECG, EEG and blood pressure. From these signals medically and clinically relevant information is extracted, which in different forms is returned to the health care professionals and/or patients. Using a similar approach, mobile wireless sensor systems are also developed for measuring, interpreting and presenting sports performancerelated data to athletes in real time. research areas: 20205 Signal Processing 20604 Medical Equipment Engineering 20699 Other Medical Engineering 30308 Sport and Fitness Sciences school of technology and health 25 partners – industry and public sector Karolinska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Trisquel Medical AB, Z-Health Technologies AB. partners – universities and institutes Karolinska Institutet, University of Borås, University of Alcalá, Spain, Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Chalmers University of Technology, The Swedish Sport Confederation, The Swedish Olympic Committee, The Swedish School of Sports and Health Sciences. 26 ongoing research projects • Monitoring of the brain in newborns • Stroke Diagnostics • Monitoring of renal failure patients • Management of Patient in Out-of-Hospital Care • Sensor systems for sports performance and medicine • Kayak and rowing performance • Feedback for running performance • Camera Based Motion Analysis • Wireless Sensor Networks and Mobile Applications for Healthcare and Sports • Textile-enabled and Bioimpedance • Monitoring Systems school of technology and health Monitoring of the brain in newborns Research leader: Professor Kaj Lindecrantz Researchers: PhD Johan Löfhede University of Borås, Associate Professor Magnus Thordstein, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg/ Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Professor Ingemar Kjellmer,The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, PhD, MD Anders Flisberg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital This project was established to develop an automated computerized system to assist in analysis and interpretation of neonatal EEG. Premature infants and babies with a difficult birth can have an increased risk of brain damage, but although the brain produces signals containing a lot of information about its condition, it is often left without specific monitoring. The reason is mainly that interpretation of the EEG signal is a narrow specialty that requires years of experience and an expert’s constant attention. Stroke Diagnostics Research leader: PhD Fernando Seoane Researchers: MSc Reza Atefi Many of the devastating consequences of stroke can be avoided by rapid onset of proper treatment, but making an accurate diagnosis is complicated by stroke being caused by either hemorrhage or infarction of the brain, which require different treatments. A method is developed, through analysis of transcephalic bioelectric impedance, to diagnose a probable stroke and to distinguish between hemorrhage or infarction in an easy and fast way. The method can then be applied during ambulance transport or directly in the emergency department. Monitoring of renal failure patients Research leader: PhD Fernando Seoane Researchers: MSc Javier Ferreira, MSc Farhad Abtahi, Professor Bengt Lindholm Karolinska Institutet/ Karolinska University Hospital, Professor Peter Stenvinkel Karolinska Institutet/ Karolinska University Hospital, Associate Professor Annette Bruchfeld Karolinska Institutet/ Karolinska University Hospital There is lack of adequate methods for monitoring fluid status in the patient during dialysis treatments, especially at home. In the project, we study how it is possible to assess the amount and distribution of body fluid by Electrical Bio-Impedance Technology. The project also uses analysis of heart rate variability to detect and monitor autonomic influence, since many patients suffer from inflammatory diseases affecting the autonomic nervous system. Management of Patients in Out-of-Hospital Care Research leader: Professor Kaj Lindecrantz Researchers: Professor Bengt Arne Sjöqvist, Ortivus/ Chalmers University of Technology, PhD Anna Gund, Chalmers University of Technology school of technology and health 27 The aim is to increase knowledge on how to use eHealth solutions to improve the ”treatment compliance” in patients. The main goal is to improve access to individualized care detection and to warn of relevant health deterioration in the individual patient, and to gain acceptance for the solutions from all involved users. Other aims are increased understanding of how the solutions can be used in developing healthcare ”disease management” based individualized treatment protocols, and to find commercial exploitation models. Sensor systems for sports performance and medicine Research leader: Researcher Martin Eriksson (Kjartan Halvorsen) Researchers: Researcher Kjartan Halvorsen, PhD Student Dennis Sturm, Research Engineer Khurram Yousaf A versatile sensor system has been developed, based on wireless sensors communicating with a mobile phone. The sensor nodes are either custom-made based on an existing platform or on commercial sensor nodes. Feedback to the performer is given either as graphics on the phone’s screen, or as sound. Sound is particularly interesting to use in a sports performance situation. The researchers are collaborating closely with a research group at the department of Speech, Music and Hearing at the CSC school (Roberto Bresin’s group). 28 Kayak and rowing performance Research leader: Researcher Kjartan Halvorsen Researchers: PhD Student Dennis Sturm, Research Engineer Khurram Yousaf For flatwater kayaking, a wireless system is developed for measuring the force and movement of the paddle, the force on the footrest and the movement of the whole boat. The system is designed for easy attachment to the athlete’s own paddle and boat. For rowing, a complete wireless instrumentation of a rowing ergometer has been developed. This will enable athletes to train on-land with full information about their technique. Feedback for running performance Research leader: Researcher Kjartan Halvorsen Researchers: Researcher Martin Eriksson, PhD Student Dennis Sturm In this project systems are developed that will give meaningful real time feedback to runners, to help achieve a more economic running technique with decreased risk of overuse injuries. The performance of a prototype for improving running economy has been presented. The movement of the center of mass is presented to the runner as graphics or as sound. Currently, a prototype for measuring the impact of the foot and presenting it as sound to the runner is being developed. school of technology and health Wireless sensor networks and mobile applications for healthcare and sports Research leader: Associate Professor Thomas Lindh Researchers: Lecturer Ibrahim Orhan, Lecturer Jonas Wåhslén The work has been focused on performance monitoring and control in wireless sensor networks, and time synchronization of multiple wireless sensors for data fusion. The research has resulted in a system for performance monitoring and feedback control for wireless sensors in ZigBee/IEEE 802.15.4 networks. One application is monitoring of signals from wireless ECG’s in ambient assisted living. Developments in textile technologies and bioimpedance measurement instrumentation are fostering the proliferation of monitoring applications targeting new types of patients and monitoring scenarios. Research about textile electrodes and textilecustomized measurement instrumentation is performed with several different aspects, from raw textile material and manufacturing, to clinical applications of measurements garments. Applied signal processing and measurement artifact issues are also investigated to ensure the signal quality required in clinical practice. The second research result is synchronization algorithms for data fusion of multiple wirelessly sensors connected via Bluetooth to a mobile phone as well as sensors connected via ZigBee/IEEE 802.15.4 to a coordinator. One application is feedback for physical training and sports. Textile-enabled and Bioimpedance Monitoring Systems Research leader: PhD Fernando Seoane Researchers: MSc Ruben Buendia, MSc Juan Carlos Marquez, MSc Javier Ferreira, MSc Geng Yang, I-pack KTH, Professor Ingvar Bosaeus, Nutrition/ Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Professor Bengt Lindholm Karolinska Institutet/ Karolinska University Hospital, Professor Peter Stenvinkel, Karolinska Institutet/ Karolinska University Hospital, Business Developer Fredrik Johansson, FOV Fabrics school of technology and health 29 medical engineering 30 school of technology and health head of division: anna bjällmark The Division of Medical Engineering conducts research in the frontier area of technology and medicine, focusing on technical development of new methods and improvement of existing methods for more efficient, safer and cheaper diagnostics, monitoring and treatment in health care. The main area of research concerns medical imaging systems with several projects in ultrasound imaging, x-ray imaging (radiography, CT) and nuclear imaging (gamma camera, SPECT and PET). research areas: 20603 Medical Image Processing 20604 Medical Equipment Engineering 20699 Other Medical Engineering 21001 Nano Technology 21103 Interaction Technology The close contact with health services, through collaboration with the Karolinska University Hospital, the Stockholm County Council and Karolinska Institutet, means that each research project is based on a clinically relevant question and the development of technical solutions is integrated with the health system. school of technology and health 31 partners – industry and public sector partners – universities and institutes Clinical partnerships: Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, Division of Orthopaedics, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, Division of Medical Imaging and Technology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, Division of Physiology, Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery (MMK), Karolinska Institutet, Uppsala Research Center, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, CREATIS, Université de Lyon, France, IBiTech – bioMMeda, Gent University, Belgium, The Computational Technology Laboratory (CTL), KTH, Center for Medical Image Science and Visualization (CMIV), Linköping University, Swedish School of Sports and Health Sciences, Functional materials, KTH, Centre for Image Analysis, Uppsala University, Institute of Nuclear Research, Hungarian Academy of Science, Debrecen, Hungary. Department of Cardiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, ECMO Center, Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Department of Clinical Physiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Department of Renal Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Department of Orthopedics, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Department of Radiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Department of Cardiology, Uppsala University Hospital, Center for Fetal Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Department of Biomedical Engineering – R&D, Norrland’s University Hospital. Enterprises: GE Vingmed Ultrasound AS, St Jude Medical, Adolesco AB, Elekta, GrippingHeart AB, BBS Medical AB, SuperSonics, Setred. 32 school of technology and health ongoing research projects • MiniXpose - Enhanced X-ray image quality with minimized radiation dose • Ultrasound impact on cells • Cardiotom • Mini PET • HoloSpect – Design and construction of a compact photospectrometer with high precision Evaluation of speckle tracking-based velocity and deformation imaging • Evaluation of ultrasound based methods for orthopedic applications • Multiple Pinhole Array masks for stationary 3D molecular imaging • PC-based real-time simulation of cardiovascular physiology • Ultrasound-based arterial strain imaging for improved detection of cardiovascular diseases • Non-Linear acoustics based osteoporosis diagnosis spectrometry • Production of high performance nano structures and surfaces • Three modality contrast imaging using multi-functionalized microballoons (3MiCRON) • Fetal tissue velocity imaging • Quantification and visualization of skeletal muscle dynamics by ultrasound • A new approach for describing cardiac mechanics • school of technology and health 33 Three modality contrast imaging using multi-functionalized microballoons (3MiCRON) Quantification and visualization of skeletal muscle dynamics by ultrasound Research leader: Professor Lars-Åke Brodin Research leader: MSc Frida Lindberg Researchers: PhD Matilda Larsson, PhD Dmitry Grishenkov, PhD Anna Bjällmark, MSc Malin Larsson, MSc VVN Satya Kothapalli Researchers: Professor Lars-Åke Brodin, PhD Christer Grönlund, Umeå University, Norrland’s University Hospital 3MiCRON is a three-year, EU-funded (FP7) large collaborative project involving 10 partners. Some of Europe’s premier medical and technical institutes are working together to bring multimodal imaging to a new level. The aim is to further develop ultrasound based methods for application on skeletal muscles. The long-term goal is a new objective method when analyzing chronic pain conditions and to provide a clinical tool for e.g. rehabilitation of different work related muscle disorders. To achieve the multi-functional property, we use micro-entities, so-called microballoons. These balloons can act as a contrast agent for ultrasound, and can also be modified to be used for other imaging methods (SPECT, MRI). In the future there is an ambition that the contrast agent will act as an invasive drug delivery system. Fetal tissue velocity imaging Research leader: MSc Nina Elmstedt Researchers: Professor Lars-Åke Brodin, Associate Professor Britta Lind, Professor Magnus Westgren, CLINTEC, Karolinska Institutet A new non-invasive assessment method for early recognition of risk-pregnancies is being developed, enabling an easier and more efficient diagnosis and hopefully the prevention of accompanying injuries. Our method is based on color-coded tissue velocity imaging, TVI. By analyzing divergences in the myocardial velocity curve it is possible to distinguish pathological patterns in the cardiac cycle of the featus. The detection method also consists of investigating the longitudinal motion of the myocardium and the generation of the state diagram of the heart. 34 Tissue Doppler and Speckle Tracking are two ultrasound based techniques used to identify contraction and relaxation patterns within the muscle. Validation and reliability tests of the commercial software are combined with clinical studies on muscular dynamics and activation strategies. A new approach for describing cardiac mechanics Research leader: MSc Jonas Johnson Researchers: PhD Fredrik Bergholm, Professor Reidar Winter, Department of Cardiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Professor Lars-Åke Brodin The goal is to develop and validate a new visualization system – a state diagram – as a sensitive tool for verifying changes of the heart mechanical pump- and regulating functioning. We have developed a software platform for advanced analysis of the heart mechanical pump- and regulating functions. The data necessary to produce the state diagram can be captured in different modalities, which allows accurate measurement of myocardial functions, from pressure devices, from accelera- school of technology and health tion sensors etc. Robust algorithms for automatic detection of interest points in velocity data are being developed. Ultrasound-based arterial strain imaging for improved detection of cardiovascular diseases Research leader: PhD Matilda Larsson Evaluation of speckle tracking-based velocity and deformation imaging Research leader: PhD Mattias Mårtensson The goal is to evaluate how accurate the speckle tracking algorithms in clinical ultrasound scanners measure tissue velocity and deformation. Clinical ultrasound imaging systems can be used for measurements of deformation parameters of the myocardium. To be of clinical value, the measurements must have certain accuracy and precision. This is a follow-up study of the earlier published study ”Evaluation of tissue Doppler-based velocity and deformation imaging: a phantom study of ultrasound systems”, where significant differences in measurements between different ultrasound systems were found. Multiple Pinhole Array masks for stationary 3D molecular imaging Researchers: MSc Erik Widman, Professor Jan D’hooge, Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium The goal is to develop a method to detect early signs of cardiovascular disease, to help identify arterial stiffness and characterize mechanical properties in atherosclerotic plaque areas for risk assessment. An ultrasound-based speckle tracking algorithm has been developed, tuned for the vascular setting to estimate the in-plane wall strain tensor of the artery wall. The feasibility of the ST algorithm to assess radial and longitudinal and circumferential strain of the carotid artery has been assessed in simulations. MiniXpose - Enhanced X-ray image quality with minimized radiation dose Research leader: PhD Hamed Hamid Muhammed. Research leader: Associate Professor Massimiliano Colarieti-Tosti Researchers: Jonatan Lindberg, Håkan Sund Researcher: Professor Andras Kerek The main aim is to get X-ray images with high image quality by processing low quality X-ray images acquired at minimized radiation dose. Advanced image enhancement algorithms are used for this purpose. We are aiming at developing a 3D SPECT camera that does not require any system motion. The advantages of such a system include a better trade off between image acquisition time and image quality together with lower maintenance costs and the possibility of bed-side SPECT examinations. Another important aim is to optimize these algorithms to be able to achieve realtime processing of X-ray image sequences, with enough number of frames per second to follow what happens during so called PCI or balloon/stent opening operations, when patients and healthcare staff are exposed to dangerous ionized radiation. school of technology and health 35 Ultrasound impact on cells MiniPET Research leader: MSc Lisa Hansen Research leader: PhD Ivan Valastyan Researchers: PhD Mattias Mårtensson, PhD Dmitry Grishenkov, PhD Anna Bjällmark, Professor Birgitta Janerot-Sjöberg, CLINTEC, Karolinska Institutet, Outi Hovatta, CLINTEC, Karolinska Institutet and Magnus Westgren CLINTEC, Karolinska Institutet Researchers: József Molnár, Institute of Nuclear Research, Hungarian Academy of Science, Debrecen, Hungary, Professor Andras Kerek, Associate Professor Massimiliano Colarieti-Tosti One of the aims is to investigate the impact on different cell types when being exposed by common clinical ultrasound, in applications with and without contrast bubbles. Another goal is to evaluate which intensity and exposure time of the ultrasound that gives negative effects on detectable cells. The main focus is to study the impact of ultrasound exposure on fetus and endothelial function in blood vessels. Cardiotom Research leader: Professor Andras Kerek Researchers: Professor Lars-Åke Brodin, PhD Dianna Bone, MMK, Karolinska Institutet Early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is important for rapid restoration of perfusion. The CARDIOTOM, a mobile gamma camera system is an ideal tool for making such an early diagnosis. It is based on ectomography a limited view angle method, which is an alternative method of acquisition to SPECT. Images are available for interpretation within 5-10 minutes, so valuable information is obtained without delaying treatment of the patient. 36 The aim is to develop a full ring small animal Positron Emission Tomography, PET, scanner with a FOV large enough for mice and rat imaging. 12 individual detector modules arranged in a ring configuration have been developed. The miniPET system is based on individual and modular detector blocks. The geometrical arrangement of the detector modules is only limited by the FOV and can even change during scanning to optimize the data collection rate and/or quality. This gives possibilities for designing dedicated PET for the breast or scanners for further purposes where different geometrical arrangements are required. HoloSpect - Design and construction of a compact photospectrometer with high precision Research leader: PhD Hamed Hamid Muhammed. Researcher: MSc Abdolamir Karbalaie The aim of the project is to design and construct a low-cost and a more compact photospectrometer to be used to measure spectra with a high precision that is enough for most of the applications within healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. The new spectrometer consists of a simple grating comprising a pair of reflective convex (micro) mirrors. Using reflective gratings makes it possible to design spectrometers for all types of electromagne- school of technology and health tic signals, regardless their frequencies (or wavelengths) within the electromagnetic spectrum. Evaluation of ultrasound based methods for orthopedic applications Non-Linear acoustics based osteoporosis diagnosis spectrometry Research leader: PhD Hamed Hamid Muhammed Researcher: MSc Muhammad Asim Faridi Research leader: PhD Mattias Mårtensson Researchers: MD Åsa Fröberg, CLINTEC, Karolinska Institutet The aim is to evaluate if ultrasound based quantification methods that today are standard methods in cardiology have clinical usefulness in orthopedic applications. One method is the speckle tracking technique. It could be used for evaluating treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures and examine the tendon function in individuals during rehab. It would most likely give better understanding of the tendon function than what is possible today. PC-based real-time simulation of cardiovascular physiology Research leader: PhD MD Michael Broomé Researchers: MSc Elira Maksuti, MSc Jonas Johnson, PhD Anna Bjällmark The goal is to develop a real-time simulation model of hemodynamics and oxygen transport in the entire human cardiovascular system to increase understanding of complex interactions in health and disease. Our vision is to develop basic and advanced education and ultimately to aid decision making in clinical diagnostics and therapeutics. The model is programmed and validated as a stand-alone compilated software based on earlier publications, clinical experience and physical properties of the cardiovascular system. The aim is to develop a method for diagnosis of Osteoporosis. The gold standard for diagnosis, Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA), inherits some drawbacks related to radiation, non compactness and cost. The use of ultrasound waves for bone tissue characterization in order to distinguish between diseased and healthy bone would be of greater advantage in order to tackle mentioned drawbacks. Production of high performance nano structures and surfaces Research leader: Professor Jan-Otto Carlsson, Uppsala University/Nanexa Researchers: Professor Lars-Åke Brodin, Professor Mats Boman, Ångström Laboratory, Uppsala University, Ph D Anders Johansson, Nanexa, Ph D Mårten Rooth, Nanexa This is a cooperation between STH, Ångström Laboratory and Nanexa AB. It is a research project specialized in designing surfaces of both polymers and metal oxides for a variety of medical applications. Among the applications wear resistant coatings, low friction films, optical coatings, antimicrobial and biocompatible coatings should be mentioned. A key deposition technology within the company is Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), allowing for film deposition down to a single atomic layer. Furthermore Nanexa has developed a technique to fabricate nanostructures such as filters and tubes with an extreme precision in size from 5 nm. school of technology and health 37 38 school of technology and health school of technology and health 39 neuronic engineering 40 school of technology and health head of division: hans von holst The Division of Neuronic Engineering is an interdisciplinary research collaboration between medical and technical expertise in clinical neuroscience. The main aims are to reduce the number of injuries as a result of external violence to the head and neck and thus the central nervous system, and to improve healthcare and rehabilitation. Research areas: 20299 Other Medical Engineering 20602 Medical Materials 20604 Medical Equipment Engineering The Division for Neuronic Engineering develops new and effective technology innovations for clinical treatment, primarily within neurosurgery. school of technology and health 41 partners – industry and public sector ongoing research projects • Medical applications of human FEM and Numerical modeling of the head and neck • Non-invasive diagnostic tools for brain injury • Visualization through Imaging and Simulation • Electrophysiology on Excitable Cells partners – universities and institutes • Tailored hydrogels for tissue ingrowth • Cell Behaviour in Electric Fields Karolinska University Hospital, Karolinska Institutet, KTH, National Board of Forensic Medicine, Luleå Technical University, Norrland’s University Hospital, Chalmers University of Technology, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Linköping University, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands, University of Dublin, Ireland, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, Freiburg, Germany, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway, Shanghai Jiatong University, China, University of New South Wales, Australia, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. • Conducting polymers • The Soft Extra Muscle • Minimally Invasive Implants for the stabilization of bone fractures • Optical Stimulation ACREO, MIPS AB, OBOE Players AB, Bioservo Technologies Sweden AB, Synthes, Switzerland, NTT, Japan, Vinnova, Swedish Research Council, Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research, The Knowledge Foundation, Fordonstekniska Industrin, FFI, Innovationsbron, ALMI Företagspartner AB. 42 school of technology and health Medical applications of human FEM and Numerical modeling of the head and neck Visualization through Imaging and Simulation Research leader: Associate professor Svein Kleiven Research leader: Research Assistant Peter Halldin Researchers: Research Assistants Peter Halldin, Johnson Ho, Xiaogai Li, PhD Student Madelen Fahlstedt, Professor Hans von Holst, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Researchers: PhD Student Madelen Fahlstedt, Research Assistant Johnson Ho, Associate Professor Svein Kleiven, Professor Hans von Holst, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Initials versions of models of a male and a female head have been modeled using the Finite Element Method. They are based on geometry from ”The Visible Human Database” and are highly detailed with material models that capture the tissue’s complex strength behaviour. The goal is to continue developing the model, and to develop an anatomically correct model of the human head, which can be used to predict injury due to external force. This will give engineers an opportunity to test their ideas on safety systems. The Finite Element Method is used to generate 3D visualization in order to increase the knowledge in biomechanical events of wounds. The project will result in two demonstrators. VISed is determined to be used in education of medical staff. The web based platform VISweb visualizes the simulations and can be used as a reference book, enabling users to interactively choose course and magnitude of the acceleration as well as area and level of violence of a blow. Non-invasive diagnostic tools for brain injury Research leader: Research Assistant Johnson Ho Researchers: Associate Professor Svein Kleiven, Professor Hans von Holst, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital The project aims to develop a method to assess the seriousness of a stroke without surgery, using computer models. Patient information, such as extent of bleeding, is extracted from medical images taken at the first examination. A patient-specific model is then generated which calculates the intracranial pressure and brain deformation in terms of elongation. The procedure will aid physicians in treatment decisions and is also applicable to measurements of brain swelling and brain tumors. school of technology and health 43 Electrophysiology on Excitable Cells Cell Behaviour in Electric Fields Research leader: Assistant Professor Tobias Nyberg Research leader: Research Assistant Maria Researcher: PhD Student Rickard Liljemalm Researcher: Assistant Professor Tobias Nyberg The project studies signaling and electrophysiological responses in the nervous system at the cellular level. Since 2009, projects have been running where the behaviour of cells is studied in strong electric fields, up to 1 V/mm. Electrophysiologically active cells, such as neurons, can be triggered to signal through rapid electrical stimulation. A wide spectrum of cells also reacts to an electric voltage field over time. Some cells retain their ability to deliver electrical signals and respond to electrical stimuli, despite having been dissected from the nervous system and being kept alive in a petri dish. The cells can then be grown on microelectrode arrays which sense changes in tension due to cell signaling. Tailored hydrogels for tissue ingrowth Research leader: Assistant Professor Tobias Nyberg Implantable materials are developed to work as scaffolds for tissue regeneration. In many cases there is a need to facilitate the natural healing process, i.e. after tumor surgery, in the presence of osteoporosis or in the case of severe injury. If too much tissue is missing, or if the surrounding tissue is affected by disease, the healing can become incomplete. A platform of biocompatible polymers is activated to attract cells, and to finally get them to build up the right kind of tissue. 44 Asplund We use the microscope and timelapse digital photo technique to study cell behaviour over time. Tension is created through a specially built growing chamber. Conducting polymers Research leader: Assistant Professor Tobias Nyberg Researchers: : Research Assistant Maria Asplund, Professor Hans von Holst, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Since 2002, research has been conducted on conducting polymers to improve nerve electrodes. This work has resulted in a doctoral thesis. The integration of neural cells could be facilitated by making the electrode more similar to the surrounding tissue. Conducting polymer materials can be grown upon the electrodes and the polymer matrix can be filled with biologically active compounds, often even improving the electrode’s electrochemical properties. school of technology and health The Soft Extra Muscle Optical Stimulation Research leader: Professor Hans von Holst, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Research leader: Assistant Professor Tobias Nyberg Researchers: : PhD Student Mats Nilsson, Assistant Professor Tobias Nyberg Studying the effect on rehabilitation of stroke and polio patients using the SEM glove. Cooperation with the Department of Mechatronics at KTH, the Danderyd Hospital and the Karolinska University. Minimally Invasive Implants for the stabilization of bone fractures Research leader: Professor Hans von Holst, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Researchers: : PhD Student Rickard Liljemalm, Professor Hans von Holst, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital Within this project we are examining the possibility of using laser light to activate neuron cells. The research is based on both simulated models and practical neural cell culture. The project has been going on for around four years and a functioning experimental setup is being used. The cells are irradiated with a laser and their electrical response is detected. Tested fixation glues have too many shortcomings to be an alternative to metal implants. They lack mechanical strength, have low adhesion or are not sufficiently biocompatible. A new treatment method is developed based on reinforcing fibers with glue and applying the fiberreinforced adhesive as a patch on the fracture. The interdisciplinary project aims to tailor the crosslinked polymers in combination with biodegradable fibers to achieve optimal properties for fracture stabilization. school of technology and health 45 environmental physiology 46 school of technology and health head of division: ola eiken The Division of Environmental Physiology investigates the influence of environmental factors, such as gravity, ambient pressure and temperature, on physiological functions in humans. Environmental physiology is commonly associated with human performance in extreme environments, e.g. aviation, diving and human activities in polar and desert climates. However, the physiological functions challenged under such conditions typically play fundamental roles even in more routine and daily-life activities. research areas: 10699 Other Biological Topics 20601 Medical Laboratory and Measurements Technologies 20699 Other Medical Engineering 30106 Physiology Thus, interventions used in environmental physiology research include different types of physical loads as means to tease out mechanisms underlying normal physiological functions. Research projects conducted at the division can be divided in three different categories: Aerospace physiology, Barophysiology and Exercise and Temperature Physiology. school of technology and health 47 partners – industry and public sector ongoing research projects • Thermal balance during simulated patrol missions in desert climate • Regimens for high altitude acclimatization • Effects of cold habituation on local coldinduced peripheral vasodilatation • Effect on motion sickness on autonomic responses • Gas mixtures and decompression tables • Physiology-based adjustments of breathing apparatuses partners – universities and institutes • High–altitude physiology and hypoxia • Spatial disorientation Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Swedish School of Sport and Health Science, Institute Jozef Stefan, Slovenia, Portsmouth University, UK, Nottingham University, UK, Trondheim University, Norway, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, University of Udine, Italy, University of Wollongong, Australia. • Increased gravitoinertial load • Weightlessness Defence Medicine Centre, Diving- and Naval Medicine Centre, Swedish Armed Forces, Army Tactical Command Centre, Army Combat School, Swedish Material Administration, European Space Agency, QinetiQ, UK, Unimed Scientific, UK, BioMed Ltd, Slovenia, b-Cat, The Netherlands, Saab Aerotech, Interspiro, Poseidon Diving Systems, Maquet Critical Care, Artema Medical, Boule AB, SITECH AB, Aleris AB, Hamilton Research Ltd, Danish Navy Diving School. 48 school of technology and health Thermal balance during simulated patrol missions in desert climate Effects of cold habituation on local cold-induced peripheral vasodilatation Research leader: Associate Professor Ola Eiken Research leader: Associate Professor Ola Eiken Researchers: PhD Mikael Grönkvist, PhD, Michail Keramidas, PhD Roger Kölegård, and from the Jozef Stefan Institute, in Ljubljana: Professor Igor Mekjavic, PhD Student Ursa Cihua, from University of Wollongong, Australia: Professor Nigel Taylor Researchers: PhD Lena Norrbrand, PhD Michail Keramidas, PhD Roger Kölegård and from the Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana: Professor Igor Mekjavic, PhD Shawnda Morrsion, PhD-student Adam McDonnel The project concerns thermal balance in soldiers patrolling in desert climate. Under such conditions the soldier is at risk of suffering heat exhaustion or even heat stroke. Provisions for heat dissipation are limited due to the need of wearing ballistic protective garments while carrying heavy loads. Different techniques and strategies to increase heat dissipation are investigated. Regimens for high altitude acclimatization The project investigates the effect of cold habituation on cold-induced vasodilation (CIVD) during local cold provocation and on vasodilatory responses during rewarming. Exposure to cold typically induces peripheral vasoconstriction. During prolonged cold exposure cutaneous blood vessels, particularly in the hands and feet, may intermittently dilate. The mechanism, termed cold-induced vasodilation, is believed to protect the tissue from cold injury. Research leader: Associate Professor Ola Eiken Researchers: PhD Mikael Grönkvist, PhD Michail Keramidas, PhD Roger Kölegård and from the Jozef Stefan Institute, in Ljubljana: Professor Igor Mekjavic, and from Faculty of Physical and Cultural Education, Hellenic Military University, Vari, Greece PhD Stylianos N. Kounalakis People who need to operate at high altitudes commonly need to acclimatize to hypoxia prior to the altitude exposure. The project is comparing physiological responses to different regimens used to achieve altitude acclimatization, such as “live high train low”, “train high live low” and “intermittent hypoxia exposures”. Effect on motion sickness on autonomic responses Research leader: Associate Professor Ola Eiken Researchers: PhD Gerard Nobel, PhD Arne Tribukait and from the Jozef Stefan Institute, in Ljubljana: Professor Igor Mekjavic, from Portsmouth University Professor Michael Tipton The project investigates the effect of motion sickness on autonomic responses, in particular thermoregulatory responses to cold stress. school of technology and health 49 Gas mixtures and decompression tables Research leader: MD PhD Mikael Gennser Researchers: CE Oskar Frånberg, Research Engineer Eddie Bergsten, PhD Roger Kölegård, and from SLB Consulting, England PhD Lesley Blogg, and from Hamilton Research ltd, Tarrytown USA PhD Dave Kenyon The project group develops and tests decompression tables for breathing gases other than air – nitrox and trimix – to meet requests from the Swedish Navy. Experiments are also conducted to increase understanding of the mechanisms underlying decompression sickness, such as the effect of exercise prior to and after diving, and temperature challenges before and during diving. The work includes both computer simulations and tests on human subjects in pressure chambers and during open sea dives. Physiology-based adjustments of breathing apparatuses Research leader: MD PhD Mikael Gennser Researchers: CE Oskar Frånberg, Research Engineer Björn Johannesson and from QinetiQ PhD Gavin Anthony This project concerns investigations on the effects of breathing apparatuses on human respiratory functions, as well as techniques for surveillance and testing of oxygen dosage in closed or semiclosed rebreathing apparatuses. 50 High–altitude physiology and hypoxia Research leader: MD PhD Mikael Gennser Researchers: PhD Mikael Grönkvist, PhD Lena Norrbrand, Associate Professor Ola Eiken and from the Jozef Stefan Institute, in Ljubljana: Professor Igor Mekjavic, PhD Studies on the effects of reduced partial pressures of oxygen on mental and physical performance during acute and prolonged exposures have been carried out, as well as studies on high-altitude decompression sickness during rest and physical exercise. Presently comparisons between normobaric and hypobaric hypoxic exposures with different gas densities are carried out to challenge the equivalent air altitude model. school of technology and health Spatial disorientation Weightlessness Research leader: PhD Arne Tribukait Research leader: Associate Professor Ola Eiken Researchers: Associate Professor Ola Eiken, PhD Mikael Grönkvist, Research Engineer Eddie Bergsten, Research Engineer Björn Johannesson Researchers: PhD Mikael Gennser, PhD Roger Kölegård, PhD Michail Keramidas, PhD Britta Lind, Professor Lars-Åke Brodin and from the Jozef Stefan Institute, in Ljubljana: Professor Igor Mekjavic, PhD Shawnda Morrsion, PhD-student Adam McDonnel., from University of Nottingham Professor Ian MacDonald, PhD Liz Simpson, from University of Udine Professor Bruno Grassi, PhD Desy Salvadego, from University of Trieste Professor Gianni Biolo, from Dutsche Luft und Raumfarts Institut Professor Jörn Rittweger, From University of ;Milano Professor Andrea Aliverti, from Munchen University Professor Alexander Choeker This project investigates how complex stimulation of the vestibular system in a centrifuge and in fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft affects an individual’s subjective horizontal plane, and how flight experience affects such responses. The project’s objectives span from elucidating basic vestibular mechanisms underlying spatial orientation/disorientation in aviation to evaluation of spatial orientation training regimens for pilots. Increased gravitoinertial load Research leader: Associate Professor Ola Eiken The project investigates physiological responses to sustained bed rest in combination with hypoxia. Researchers: PhD Mikael Grönkvist, Research Engineer Eddie Bergsten, PhD Roger Kölegård, Research Engineer Björn Johannesson and from the university of Copenhagen PhD Morten Damsgaard, PhD Student Sine Arvedsen Several of the physiological adaptations to microgravity may be induced by means of ground-based –1 G – simulation models, of which prolonged, sustained recumbency is the most common. The project investigates physiological responses to increased G load and develops G-protective garments and techniques. It deals both with basic acute and long-term physiological responses. The experiments are conducted in a multinational collaboration (FP-7) and are aimed at elucidating effects of living in future planetary habitats, in which people will be exposed to reduced gravity and hypoxia. In addition, the effects of increased G load, pressure breathing and anti-G-suits on pulmonary ventilation and blood perfusion distributions are investigated. The project also deals with development and modifications of anti-G suits and pressure-breathing schemes. school of technology and health 51 Patient Safety 52 school of technology and health head of division: richard i. cook The Patient Safety Division at STH possesses unique competence where technology and healthcare meet. Patient Safety is an interdisciplinary field and the research is based on a systems perspective on technical work with focus on practitioners and patients. Knowledge is gathered and developed using multiple, converging methods to illuminate the interaction between people, technology and work organization and its consequences for patient safety. Research areas: 30301 Healthcare Service and Management, Health Policy and Services and Health Economy 30399 Other Health Sciences The division collaborates with other departments at KTH School of Technology and Health, other schools at KTH, as well as other universities and academies. In order to strengthen the interdisciplinary work in patient safety research, in 2010 the division initiated a Swedish research network, and it is also a member of the Nordic Research Network on Safety and Quality in Health Care. school of technology and health 53 partners – industry and public sector National Board of Health and Welfare, Karolinska University Hospital, Healthcare Provision Stockholm County, Astrid Lindgren Children’s Hospital, Stockholm County Council, Swedish Radiation Safety Authority partners – universities and institutes Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm University, Linköping University, Uppsala University, Faculty of Engineering at Lund University, Jönköping Academy, University of Gothenburg. University of Stavanger, Patient Safety Learning Center, Technical University of Denmark, University of Southern Denmark 54 ongoing research projects • A Study of the new Swedish Patient Safety Law • A pilot study of cancer care • Analysis of the LUST data - the introduction of European Working Time Directive and effects on work hours, work satisfaction and well-being • A Risk Inventory in Home Care with Focus on Medication • Complex Operations in Home Care - Leadership and Management Needs • Diabetes Study -”Patient Safety and Home Healthcare with focus on patients with diabetes.” • Practitioner cognition in the first minute • Discovering practitioner adaptations to complex situations with multiple tasks and variable risk school of technology and health A pilot study of cancer care Research leader: PhD Mirjam Ekstedt A Study of the new Swedish Patient Safety Law Research leader: PhD Synnöve Ödegård The study is based on the new Patient Safety Act (2010:659) and planned in two phases - before and after the law has come into effect. The first aim is to get an idea of the steps taken in healthcare before the introduction of the new law and to which extent certain requirements are already in place. In the second phase the “outcome” will be studied. The study will eventually be implemented in cooperation with other Nordic countries. The purpose is to examine cancer care from a patient safety perspective. The initial aim is to find identifying factors or indicators that may affect safety negatively, as a basis for a more extensive study. The project aims to study what guidelines and regulations govern the care and how they are perceived by staff and what kind of healthcare related injuries can be identified with the GTT method. Other questions posed are which weaknesses at the system level can be inferred from this method and how patients’ waiting times differ throughout the care process. Analysis of the LUST data - the introduction of European Working Time Directive and effects on work hours, work satisfaction and well-being Research leader: PhD Anna Dahlgren The aim is to study how the European Working Time Directive, EWTD, affects health and fatigue. The project is a collaboration with Karolinska Institutet. An extensive longitudinal data set has been collected over eight years. The nurses participating in the study were followed with surveys in their last semester of training and their initial period of work life. During data collection, EWTD has been introduced in healthcare, making it possible to study the effects of the working shift. school of technology and health 55 Risk inventory in home care with a focus on medication Research leader: Synnöve Ödegård, PhD Diabetes Study - ”Patient Safety and Home Healthcare with focus on patients with diabetes.” Research leader: Synnöve Ödegård, PhD A business with hospital connected home care has implemented a change in medication from prescription to their own medical supplies with dosett-sharing of drugs to patients, which was seen as potentially risky. The initial study focused on an problem inventory and risk mapping. Interviews identified risk and need for improvement in several broad areas. Further work will focus on an in-depth analysis of the material and the identification of improvement based on the risks identified. The study aims to give increased knowledge of the factors likely to affect adversely the safety of patients, and to then initiate and implement improvements based on the risks identified. It is one of several sub-studies in Dignified Care – a joint project between KTH, KI and Stockholm County Council. Complex Operations in Home Care Leadership and Management Needs Research leader: Marianne Lagerstedt, PhD Student Advanced inpatient care is performed increasingly by home healthcare with many stakeholders involved and shared responsibility. The special challenges raise questions about managerial needs and appropriate management. The outcome of two studies form a knowledge base for leadership, management needs and capacity management for safe care at home. From a management science perspective a range of issues has been identified. 56 school of technology and health Practitioner cognition in the first minute Research leader: Professor Richard Cook The study examines how practitioners make sense of disordered, incomplete, or conflicting data about patients assembling a model of individual patients under direct observation. The test cases are derived from actual patient data and reflect real persons and the practitioners are experts. The research explores abilities of practitioners to accomplish a representative cognitive task that is frequently part of the first few seconds of a patient encounter. The results will shed light on a core feature of clinical cognitive work. Discovering practitioner adaptations to complex situations with multiple tasks, high uncertainty and variable risk Research leader: Professor Richard Cook The study examines practitioner work in clinical situations that involve task switching across patients in settings where patients may be at high risk for bad outcomes but where uncertainty about individual risk likelihoods can only be coarsely gauged and where task demands vary. Such situations are typical for e.g. intensive care units and disaster situations. The research will show how practitioners adapt successfully and unsuccessfully to changing situations. The results may be used to design cognitive artifacts to aid task switching. school of technology and health 57 structural biotechnology 58 school of technology and health head of divison: hans hebert Within the Division of Structural Biotechnology physical methods are used to depict biological objects on a cellular and molecular level. The aim is to understand biological processes, in particular the connection between structure and function. The acquired knowledge is to be used in collaboration with other groups to understand different medical conditions and to contribute to the development of new treatment methods. The properties and biological interactions of nanostructures developed for medical purposes are also being studied. research areas: 10601 Structural Biology 10602 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 10603 Biophysics 20908 Medical Biotechnology 21001 Nanotechnology 30108 Cell and Molecular Biology 30401 Medical Biotechnology school of technology and health 59 partners – industry and public sector ongoing research projects • Structure of proteins and complexes involved in inflammation • Structure and function of ion channels • Molecular mechanisms of mucin barriers and defects during cystic fibrosis • The structure of molecular chaperones • Rescue mechanisms at stalled bacterial protein synthesis and implications for development of new antibiotics • Characterization and biointeractions of microbubbles developed to be used as multimodal medical imaging contrast media. • Synthesis and applications of nanodiscs for nanobiotechnology applications • Method developments for high resolution transmission electron microscopy Vironova AB, NovaSaid AB. partners – universities and institutes Karolinska Institutet, Gothenburg University, Lund University, Uppsala University, Umeå University, Århus University, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Stanford University, Biocenter Basel, Kyoto University. 60 school of technology and health Structure of proteins and complexes involved in inflammation Molecular mechanisms of mucin barriers and defects during cystic fibrosis Research leader: Professor Hans Hebert Research leader: Professor Hans Hebert Researchers: Dr Caroline Jegerschöld, Dr Pasi Purhonen, PhD Student Qie Kuang, Professor Ralf Morgenstern and Professor Per-Johan Jakobsson, Karolinska Institutet Researchers: Dr Harriet Nilsson, Professor Gunnar Hansson, Dr. Daniel Ambort, University of Gothenburg Current work is focused on structural refinements, co-crystallization with ligands and inhibitors, and studies of protein complexes. Previous research has resulted in an atomic model of microsomal glutathione transferase 1, MGST1, an important milestone in the membrane associated proteins in eicosanoid and glutathione metabolism, MAPEG, field. A more recent electron crystallographic analysis of Microsomal Prostaglandin E synthase 1, MPGES1, resulted in an atomic model. The researchers have also observed a difference in behaviour between rat and human MPGES1. Structure and function of ion channels MUC2, the major colonic mucin, forms large polymers by N-terminal trimerization and C-terminal dimerization. The packing and secretion of MUC2 has not yet been studied in molecular terms. By using electron microscopy the researchers could show that MUC2 mucin is packed in secretory granulae of goblet cells owing to its N-terminal domains (MUC2-N). One aim is to understand formation of the viscous mucus phenotype of the disease cystic fibrosis. The structure of molecular chaperones Research leader: Associate professor Philip Koeck Researchers: PhD student Johan Härmark, , Professor Cecilia Emanuelsson, Lund University Research leader: Professor Hans Hebert Researchers: Dr Caroline Jegerschöld, Dr Pasi Purhonen, PhD student Qie Kuang The project is a study of the Kch potassium channel. Both the channel part and the full length protein including a regulating RCK domain have been overexpressed, purified and crystallized for electron crystallography analysis. It is now for the first time possible to study a complete putative voltage gated RCK regulated potassium channel. Unfolding proteins are prevented from irreversible aggregation by small heat shock proteins (sHsps) through interactions that depend on a dynamic equilibrium between sHsp subunits and sHsp oligomers. By single-particle electron microscopy, homology modeling, and lysine-specific chemical crosslinking a structure model of Arabidopsis thaliana Hsp21 has been obtained. Continued work is directed towards improving resolution of this and other chaperons. school of technology and health 61 Rescue mechanisms at stalled bacterial protein synthesis and implications for development of new antibiotics Research leader: Docent Martin Lindahl Transmission electron microscopy has been used to study the structure of the MBs and confirm the binding ability of SPION. The bio-interactions of these MBs are also being characterized. Researchers: Professor Hans Hebert, Professor Måns Ehrenberg, Uppsala University The tmRNA/SmpB complex performs surveillance and rescue of stalled ribosomes in all eubacteria and some eukaryotic organelles. CryoEM studies have provided some insight into the accommodation of the tmRNA/SmpB complex to ribosomes processing a messenger lacking a stop codon. Recently, the group has characterized for the first time the accommodated state after release of the elongation factor. The aim is to characterize other states during the translation process, which could be the target for development of new antibiotics. Characterization and biointeractions of microbubbles developed to be used as multimodal medical imaging contrast media. Research leader: Associate Professor Philip Koeck Researchers: PhD Student Johan Härmark, Professor Gaio Paradossi, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Dr Andreas Fery and Dr Melanie Pretzl, Univeristy of Bayreuth, Professor Kenneth Dawson, University of Dublin and Professor Kenneth Caidahl and Dr. Torkel Brismar, Karolinska Institutet The next generation of contrast agents has to meet the criteria of working as a multimodal imaging device, combining different imaging techniques. A modified poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) microbubble (MB), with super paramagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) embedded in the shell, can work as both ultrasound and MRI contrast agent. 62 school of technology and health Synthesis and applications of nanodiscs for nanobiotechnology applications Method developments for high resolution transmission electron microscopy Research leader: Dr Caroline Jegerschöld Research leaders: Associate Professor Philip Koeck, Docent Martin Lindahl Researchers: : PhD Student Ramki Kumar, PhD Student Lin Zhu, MSc Rampradeep Samiappan, Dr. Jens Lagerstedt, Lund University and Dr. Agnes Rinaldo-Matthis, Karolinska Institutet Both the constructs of natural High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) and discoidal reconstituted HDL particles (nanodiscs) are studied, in the latter case for formation of protein assembles. Most focus has been laid on formation of protein complexes reported to be of importance for biosynthesis of mediators of pain, fever and inflammation. However, we can foresee a large number of usages related to several of the projects and also a translation to applications as drug carriers for targeted therapy. Researchers: Dr. Ozan Öktem, Applied Mathematics, KTH Application of Single particle cryo electron microscopy (cryoEM) puts considerable demands regarding processing and ability to collect very large data sets. Both hurdles are addressed by developing new algorithms and by implementing high throughput methods using one of the division’s microscope/CCD systems. Electron crystallography can offer near-atomic resolution, yet many projects remain at around 10 Å. Single particle processing of locally averaged unit cells could improve the quality and possibly the resolution of three-dimensional maps. school of technology and health 63 centre for technology in medicine and health, ctmh 64 school of technology and health head of centre: bertil guve The Centre for Technology in Medicine and Health, CTMH, is a collaboration between Karolinska Institutet, The Royal Institute of Technology and Stockholm County Council. Its mission is to contribute to the development of Stockholm as a world-class medical technology cluster. The vision is the realization of the potential that the partners together amass to create and constitute a medical technology R&D environment unique in Sweden and among the world’s top five. CTMH organizes activities and creates arenas that stimulate and develop interactions between the industry, the universities and the healthcare systems in the boundaries between Technology, Health and Research and Applications. CTMH constitutes a forum and driving force to obtain better usage of the resources in the intersection between medical and technological knowledge, with applications for improvements of human health through three spheres of activity: partners – industry and public sector Karolinska Univeristy Hospital, Arjo-Huntleigh, Getinge, Maquet AB, Neodynamics AB, Swedish Medtech, SP, Swedish Cancer Society, Diabetes Tools, Bactiguard, Mölnlycke Health Care AB, Sahlgrenska Hospital, Stiftelse Flemingsberg Science, Diabetes Tools, Health Solutions, Hök Instrument AB, Sense Air AB, etc. partners – universities and institutes School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Laboratory, Karolinska University Hospital, KTH CHE, KTH CSC, KTH EES, KTH ITM, KTH SCI, Skåne Regional Council, Stockholm County Council, Uppsala University, Municipality of Haninge. school of technology and health 65 Research – school of technology and health Photos by: Staffan Larsson Photo page 46 by: US-Airforce Photo page 50 by: NASA Photo page 58 by: Hans Hebert, Caroline Jegerschöld Photo page 62 by: Hans Hebert, Caroline Jegerschöld Photo page 63 by: Hans Hebert, Martin Lindahl 66 school of technology and health STH 2012
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