Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB
Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB

Demo-medVer – Decentralized mobile medical care with autonomous test platforms for use in developing countries

In the "Demo-medVer" project six Fraunhofer institutes are developing an integrated system for mobile, distributed medical care. What makes it special is that all of the complete system’s components are modularized, are closely interconnected, and complement each other. A functional prototype is intended to be built by the end of 2021.

Modular system design: Standardized configuration as required with self-sufficient infrastructure

Fraunhofer researchers are opting for a modular design for its technical implementation. It can be standardized, thus making the system flexible to use and quick to set up and dismantle. The individual components of the modular system can be individually modified for different specifications: Technologies, such as disinfectant production or water purification, and facility components, such as an intensive care hospital room, can be custom combined based on on the country of operation (developed, newly industrialized or developing country), reason for use (pandemic, environmental disaster, meteorological disaster) or emergency response organization, such as the THW, fire department, emergency medical services, Doctors Without Borders, universal healthcare, and the infrastructure on hand (power, water, gas, heat).

Subproject MATSE – Autonomous test platforms for use in developing countries

Containment of SARS‑CoV‑2 requires a global approach. The risk of further rapid spread of the corona pandemic is particularly high in many developing and emerging countries due to inadequate hygienic conditions.

Four institutes of the SYSWASSER Alliance and the newly founded FIP‑WEF@SU in Stellenbosch, South Africa, are therefore pooling their technological expertise and experience from projects with Africa in order to jointly create solutions for combating SARS‑CoV‑2 on the African continent. To this end, self‑sufficient, fully and semi‑mobile platforms are to be developed, built, tested and, in the medium term, brought into series production, which can be used locally in slums, refugee camps, conurbations and rural areas.

The solutions include a laboratory for virus testing (initially for SARS‑CoV‑2), water and wastewater treatment with containers and pipelines made of materials that reduce biofilm formation, the production of disinfectants on board, and communication technology for telemedical examinations and technology for data collection. The mobile test platforms become energy self‑sufficient by being equipped with a stable PV hybrid energy supply.

To this end, Fraunhofer IGB will test various surface materials to determine whether viruses and bacteria are inhibited in their spread or inactivated.

Fraunhofer IGB is also responsible for providing hygienically safe water that is free of viruses and bacteria and for cleaning the wastewater.  The aim here is to develop solutions that work everywhere – even without an existing water infrastructure.

Project information

Project title

Cluster project "Demo-medVer – Decentralized mobile medical care" with subproject "MATSE – Autonomous test platforms for use in developing countries"

 

Project duration

September 2020 – August 2021

 

Project partners

  • Fraunhofer IFF (Coordination)
  • Fraunhofer ICT
  • Fraunhofer IFAM
  • Fraunhofer IFAM-DD
  • Fraunhofer IGB
  • Fraunhofer ISE
  • Fraunhofer IST
  • Fraunhofer FIP-WEF@SU

 

Project funding

This work was supported by the Fraunhofer InternaI Programs under Grant No. Anti-Corona 840267 ("Fraunhofer vs. Corona")