Philips Research - Technologies

Innovative early diagnosis technology detects disease before it develops

Philips is a leading developer of innovative technology for early diagnosis and treatment. Over the last few years, the company has revolutionised the quality of the imaging technology that gives both hospitals and doctors in private practice deep insights into the human body. This technology allows risks and illnesses to be detected in their initial stages and the type, location and extent of symptoms to be determined. Medical tomography equipment, x-ray systems, ultrasound machines and specialised products enable particularly in tumour patients the most modern examination methods, particularly for tumour patients. At the same time, these technologies ensure optimum care of patients with multiple or serious injuries as well as those suffering acute emergencies such as strokes or cerebral haemorrhages. Imaging technology also provides an essential control mechanism in minor surgical procedures like tissue biopsies and stent implantations, and enables treatment progress to be visually monitored.

Medical technology is the main focus of around 350 researchers in Aachen and Hamburg. Aimed at detecting diseases before they reached their advanced stages, these researchers are investigating new molecular diagnostic methods that enable problems to be detected early and to be treated before they develop into more serious illnesses.

Radiation-free MRI Scanner Provides Whole-Body Imaging in Minutes
Philips is currently leading the field in imaging diagnostics. “Our MRI scanner can scan a patient’s entire body in minutes, producing a series of high-resolution, highly detailed 3-D diagnostic images. This enables problems like tumours to be clearly seen, even in their early stages”, Jochen Franke, general manager of Philips Medical Systems, reports.

According to Franke, the German market provides a great deal of potential for advances in medical technology: “Experts estimate that the accrued investment backlog could be as much as 20 billion euros.” He predicts s a continuing increase in the willingness of hospitals to update their equipment: “As a result of structural changes in the health system, clinics and medical practices are becoming more and more competitive. Investment in early diagnosis equipment is also proving to be a cost-cutting measure. Early detection avoids patient suffering and reduces the cost burden on third-party payers.” Radiation-free MRI technology is also being increasingly used as a favourable alternative to diagnostic cardiac catheterisation. The high-performance system looks deep into the heart muscle and provides high-quality images of the blood circulation and movement as well as of tissue damage caused by heart attacks, for example.

New Projects from Philips German Research
Rob Gossink, general director of Philips’ German research division, explains: “Early detection and disease prevention are now playing a greater role in diagnostic medicine. We are currently working on new molecular diagnostic methods. This involves methodically expanding and improving existing imaging procedures and using more targeted contrast agents.” Using “pharmacokinetic modelling”, as this process is called, enables you to see not only how the contrast agent or active ingredient is distributed throughout the body, but also to gauge the speed of the illness-related biological processes in the body. This additional knowledge enables more effective therapies to be implemented at a molecular level, which can, in turn, lead to clear improvements in cure prospects for cancer sufferers, for example.

A further area of research in the field of molecular medicine is the “electronic blood test” using a chip. Patients who today are suspected of having meningitis have to wait for up to three days for test results. Molecular diagnostics allows the genetic fingerprint of the pathogen to be determined within half an hour. This means that, instead of prescribing broad-spectrum antibiotics, targeted treatment could be started immediately, resulting in a shorter treatment time.

For more information:
Philips GmbH, Corporate Communications Department
Veronika Hucke, Tel.: +49 40 2899 2215
Email: veronika.hucke@philips.com

Philips Medizin Systeme GmbH
Michel Rodzynek , Tel.: +49 40 442326
Email: michel.rodzynek@philips.com