Systems used in the Exist in practice.
From the initial concept to regulated small-batch production: our projects demonstrate how precise development and in-depth domain expertise drive progress for hospitals, laboratories and industry partners.
Medical assistance systems
BiSOP — Hand exoskeleton for the operating theatre
An active forearm exoskeleton that provides ergonomic relief for surgeons during day-to-day operating theatre work. Controlled by haptic sensors and adapted to actual hand forces.
Background & Objective
Overall project: Development of a hand exoskeleton for use in the operating theatre.
Surgeons are subjected to considerable physical strain in the operating theatre: repetitive postures, high grip forces, and procedures lasting several hours. The BiSOP project is developing an active forearm exoskeleton that specifically offsets this strain without compromising the precision of hand movements.
Using haptic sensors, the system detects the application of force and intended movement in real time and provides precisely measured assistance exactly where it is needed.
Our contribution
- Development of drive kinematics and joint guidance
- Integration of haptic sensors for force control
- Prototype development and iterative usability testing in a clinical setting
- Technology transfer to other exoskeleton applications
- Preparation of regulatory documentation in accordance with the MDR
University of Leipzig
Chemnitz University of Technology
Fibercheck GmbH
imk Industrial
MultiDiag — Early detection of Alzheimer’s from blood plasma
A platform combines DNA PCR, RNA PCR and protein immunoassays in a fully automated process. A single run, no need to change equipment, results within hours. Developed in collaboration with Roboscreen and EDC Engineering.
Background & Objective
Alzheimer’s is often not diagnosed until symptoms are already noticeable. MultiDiag aims to use blood biomarkers to detect the disease years before clinical onset.
At its heart is a fully automated benchtop platform which, for the first time, combines three types of assay (DNA PCR, RNA PCR and protein immunoassay) without the need to change equipment. Samples in, results out.
Our contribution
- Development of the mechanical automation platform
- Integration of immunoprecipitation and real-time PCR into a single workflow
- Fully automated sample-to-result processing with no manual steps
- Parallel analysis: Alzheimer’s biomarkers and hepatitis multi-markers
- System validation and preparation for regulatory approval
EDC
Roboscreen
Laboratory automation
SealCompact — Automated heat sealer
Ultra-compact sealing module for PCR and deep-well plates. Fully automatic, seamlessly integrable, no manual intervention required.
Background & Objective
Manual plate sealing is a common bottleneck in automated laboratory processes: it is error-prone, time-consuming and difficult to scale. SealCompact solves this problem with a fully automated module that integrates seamlessly into existing laboratory infrastructures.
Thanks to the SiLA protocol, automatic material and adapter recognition, and an ultra-compact footprint, SealCompact can be integrated into existing workstations without the need for structural modifications.
Highlights
- Fully automatic loading, sealing and unloading
- Automatic seal and adapter detection
- Compatible with PCR plates and deep-well plates
- 250 seals per cartridge for low-maintenance continuous operation
- Integration via Ethernet, RS232 and SiLA 2.0
IVD
HeatMagX — RNA/DNA extraction module
Compact extraction module with heating up to 99 °C and magnetic bead separation. Fully hands-free and capable of being integrated directly into existing automation systems.
Background & Objective
The extraction of RNA and DNA is a critical step in molecular diagnostics: it is prone to errors when performed manually and represents a bottleneck in automated workflows. HeatMagX solves this problem with a fully automated module that combines thermal lysis and magnetic bead separation in a compact housing.
Highlights
- Heating up to 99 °C directly in the sample liquid
- Magnetic bead separation for high-purity nucleic acid extraction
- Completely hands-free; no manual intervention required
- Seamless integration into existing laboratory automation systems
- Compact design for space-saving use
IVD
MODAPLEX — Molecular Precision Diagnostics
A multi-gene testing platform for mutations, gene fusions and biomarker analyses. Up to 48 parallel reactions, fully developed and manufactured in small batches in collaboration with imk Health.
Background & Objective
Oncological diagnostics require precise information on mutation status, gene fusions and copy number variations, ideally within a few hours and directly in hospital. MODAPLEX makes this possible: a compact benchtop system that analyses up to 48 molecular reactions in parallel.
IMK Health Intelligence played a key role in the development of the platform, from the initial concept through to design, prototyping and MDR certification, right through to small-batch production in Chemnitz.
Highlights
- Simultaneous detection of mutations, gene fusions and CNVs
- Up to 48 reactions in a single run
- 4-hour in-house workflow; no external sequencing required
- Precise DNA quantification and molecular tumour profiling
- Manufactured directly in Chemnitz by imk Health
Planetary helical gearboxes — IMS Gear
Compact automotive gearbox with significantly improved NVH performance and direct gearing, optimised for cost-effective injection moulding.
Background & Objective
Modern automotive applications place the highest demands on smooth running, whilst at the same time facing massive cost pressures. The planetary screw gear for IMS Gear combines a compact design with significantly improved NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) performance.
By directly coupling the ring gear to the planetary gears and designing the system specifically to accommodate injection moulding tolerances, we produce gearboxes that are quieter, smaller and more cost-effective than conventional two-stage solutions.
Highlights
- Significant improvement in NVH performance (smoothness and noise)
- Reduced installation space compared with a two-stage planetary gearbox
- Comprehensive design optimisation for injection moulding production
- Direct coupling of the ring gear to the planet gear for improved efficiency
- Application-specific efficiency adjustment via next|gear
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