For more than 20 years, AIT has been represented at the Technopol Wiener Neustadt with a focus on medical technology. The fact that medical technology developments and know-how from Wiener Neustadt are internationally highly regarded is proven by the visit of the British Ambassador Robert Leigh Turner to the Technopol location on 31.08.2020.
Together with ecoplus supervisory board chairman Mayor Klaus Schneeberger, the British Ambassador informed himself about the activities at the research location Wiener Neustadt, whereby his special interest was focused on the Competence Unit Biomedical Systems (HBS) of the AIT.
In the past, HBS has already conducted research in the field of pulse wave analysis for various cardiovascular diseases and has also succeeded in applying the technology in space, on the International Space Station ISS. Due to the resulting expertise, the team was invited by the Artery Society, a research network based in Great Britain and specialized in this field, to participate in a study on the consequences of COVID-19. This is because the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the resulting disease affects not only the respiratory system but also, and above all, the cardiovascular system.
A research team around the pulse wave specialist Siegfried Wassertheurer explains to the British ambassador and the mayor of Wr. Neustadt the successes achieved so far in pulse wave analysis. This includes worldwide use by many cardiological specialists and, of course, on board the ISS in two different projects. There was also an outlook on the future developments of pulse wave analysis for dialysis patients and the use in future wearables for monitoring and better control of vascular aging. Currently, AIT's pulse wave analysis is used in the CARTESIAN study of the Artery Society to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on heart, vessels and organs.
Christopher Mayer, project manager at AIT, adds: "The study is a great opportunity for AIT to further expand its scientific networks and excellence in order to further advance the research topics also made possible by the state and to increase its international visibility".
Manfred Bammer, Head of Competence Unit Biomedical Systems: "In order to make such outstanding successes possible, years of continuity in R&D topics is required. This is also promoted by the Province of Lower Austria by setting priorities at its Technopol locations".
"The pandemic is still keeping the world in suspense and much about the pathogen is still unknown. I am therefore particularly pleased that a research team from Wiener Neustadt is contributing to understanding this disease with its unique expertise. Once again, this confirms the international importance of Wiener Neustadt as a high-tech research location", says ecoplus supervisory board chairman Mayor Klaus Schneeberger.