The University of Pécs, in a consortium with Innomed Medical Plc., submitted a European Union grant application in 2022. The successful project, primarily financed through EU funds, was titled “Development of a Clinical Defibrillator Adapted for the Diagnosis and Therapy of Post-Covid Patients” and received over HUF 700 million in non-repayable support. The initiative aimed to create an advanced clinical defibrillator with new diagnostic algorithms and sensors, offering capabilities beyond those of existing devices.
The primary focus of the project was to enhance the detection of cardiac arrhythmias and recurrent circulation, while optimising the energy levels required for defibrillation and cardioversion—that is, restoring normal heart rhythm.
At the University of Pécs Clinical Centre, First Department of Internal Medicine, extensive data collection underpinned the research and development process. This included ECG monitoring of patients undergoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, both acute and elective cardioversion, and intensive care.
Using the EU grant exceeding HUF 733 million the consortium’s industrial partner developed a prototype of the new device, which is currently undergoing testing, as announced at a recent press conference.
If clinically successful, the device’s advanced features could improve resuscitation outcomes. In the event of a pandemic, reduced patient care times could also lower infection risks for both patients and healthcare personnel. The sophisticated algorithms and sensors aim to ensure faster and more reliable care for critically ill patients, improving success rates, reducing time required for accurate diagnosis and treatment, and mitigating certain procedural complications.
Professor Kálmán Tóth, the project’s scientific leader, noted during the presentation of results that “our experiences have been shared at several domestic congresses attended by international experts. Regarding certain new technological methods arising from the defibrillator development, patent applications are currently underway.”
The research and development project sought to produce a modern, market-ready clinical defibrillator incorporating advanced diagnostic procedures and algorithms, with new functional capabilities.
Innomed Medical Plc., as a project partner, continues to leverage university knowledge bases in its ongoing research and development efforts. The company aims to play a leading role in clinical defibrillator innovation, introducing new medical solutions and services to the sector. University-based targeted research provides the scientific foundation, which Innomed, as a manufacturer, seeks to shape and support in line with market needs.
Over the past two years, Innomed increased its clinical defibrillator production volume by approximately 60%, yet market demand still exceeds supply. Significant EU-supported investments have expanded manufacturing capacity, which will be available from this autumn. The goal is to introduce innovations in the diagnosis and treatment of post-Covid syndrome patients with the new clinical defibrillator models.
Beyond novel clinical functions, product development also focuses on “classic” objectives: reduced weight and size, greater performance, ergonomic design, and improved usability.
The research and development project was implemented with a 67% funding intensity, of which 59% originated from EU funds (ERDF).
(Source: szabadpecs.hu)
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
