Healing cooling systems in medicine: technotrans steps up activities in the focus market of healthcare

"The healing effect of cold, for exampleapplied to bruises, has been proved for a long time in the medical context. There are numerous ways cooling can be used for this purpose. In view of the growing number of patients suffering from civilisation diseases or sports injuries, we are convinced that the demand for thermal solutions will increase considerably," says Jan Kröger, managing director of termotek GmbH (in future: technotrans systems GmbH). The potential areas of application of the cooling solutions include joint and tissue injuries, pain treatments, rheumatoid and connective tissue diseases as well as muscle relaxation or the treatment of paralysis.

At present, several technotrans solutions for medical applications are being developed and tested. The highlight among the new products is the cooling system Cooral® by BrainCool AB: technotrans has been working together with this European manufacturer of medical devices for several years to develop cooling attachments for oral use by patients undergoing cancer treatment. Cancer is often treated with chemotherapy. The drugs used for this treatment can have strong side effects, such as open wounds or the detachment of the mucosal lining of the mouth (oral mucositis). These side effects cause considerable pain to the patients and can lead to inflammation or even life-threatening sepsis. Cooling decreases the circulation of blood and the metabolism in the affected areas so that the active ingredients of the drugs do not penetrate the mucous membranes of the mouth. This helps to prevent or at least reduce oral mucositis. At present, the device is in the final project phase. After a successful clinical trial, the market launch is planned for later this year.

Flexible areas of application and energy-efficient operation

Another innovative product is the cooling cuff for the treatment of civilisation diseases and sport injuries such as bruises or rheumatoid disorders. The system consists of a trolley with a hose and a gel cuff for cooling the affected skin area. Thanks to a smart 3D chip, the cooling output is precisely adapted to the patient. In addition, the device can also be used for warming the affected areas. The system only requires very little maintenance and is characterised by its compact size, low noise level and excellent reliability. technotrans uses sustainable natural refrigerants such as propane and isobutane for these devices. The cooling cuff system will undergo clinical tests in 2022.

As a specialist for thermal management solutions, technotrans relies on its long-standing experience in the medical engineering sector when it comes to the development of innovative solutions. The company also develops customised laser cooling solutions for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. In line with its "Future Ready 2025" group strategy, which identifies the healthcare & analytics sector as an important focus market, technotrans will expand its activities in this field. Michael Finger, spokesman of the Board of Management of technotrans SE, explains what the company has envisioned for this market: "Our aim is to develop compact, safe and technically sophisticated cooling and temperature control solutions for a wide capacity range." The group will focus particularly strongly on a high level of energy efficiency and the environmental friendliness of the devices. "These characteristics are particularly important for systems for thermal applications in the medical sector. That is why sustainability and the lowest possible CO₂ footprint play a decisive role in product development," adds Michael Finger.