HEALTH
Join the networkThe network is run by the Innovation Skåne lead project HealthTech Nordic.
We work with Skåne’s public sector in the areas of health, food, and mobility to improve services for residents of Skåne, create better tools and work processes for employees and organizations, and increase the ability to innovate and drive change within the organization. We have a long history of contributing to the creation and implementation of innovations – new and improved solutions for residents, employees, and society as a whole – in collaboration with Region Skåne, municipalities in Skåne, private companies, and academia. Our experience has shown that the best results are achieved when all parties are involved.
We offer:
✓ Support for development and innovation initiatives
✓ Safe collaborations with relevant external partners
✓ Market intelligence, incl. international forerunners, adopted solutions and technological trends
✓ Assistance in acquiring financing for development and innovation initiatives
✓ Tools to promote development and innovation
✓ Support regarding procurement issues
As a subsidiary of Region Skåne, Innovation Skåne has a unique mission in improving the quality of life for people in Skåne and beyond – through the use of innovation. We have a history of developing and implementing new solutions to benefit residents, employees, and society in collaboration with Region Skåne, municipalities in Skåne, private companies, and academia. Our goal is to use innovation to address challenges and make a positive impact on the world.
Our expertise lies in the fields of health, food, and mobility, as well as an extensive experience in innovation and collaboration with public and private sector partners, academia, and other members of the innovation ecosystem.
We are innovation managers. Our main focus is using innovation to help the public sector overcome challenges. We are experienced in leading change and working with other organizations to achieve solutions. We believe that external collaboration and knowledge sharing is essential for success, and we strive to foster these relationships in all of our work.
In our work, we rely on our four core competences:
Rewrite: If you’re looking for support and guidance in using innovation to address challenges in the public sector, we can help. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the areas of health, food, and mobility, and we have a strong track record of working with other organizations to identify needs and develop solutions. Simply fill out the form and we’ll be in touch to discuss how we can work together.
You don’t have to have all the answers – let’s define the problems and potential solutions together.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Do you work for Region Skåne and have an idea for a product or service that could improve health care, transportation, or food production in Skåne or elsewhere? No matter the scope of your idea, submit it to us using the form below!
If your idea is novel, useful, and has potential for commercial success, we will help turn it into a product or service and connect you with a private company to finalize and sell it. As the project progresses, you may be eligible for financial compensation.
YOU CAN ALSO REACH OUT TO ONE OF US DIRECTLY:
If you wish to pursue your idea independently, you will need a letter granting you the right to the idea. Contact us via the form below and we will assist you in applying for such a letter. All approved applications are signed by the regional director.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
We specialize in supporting startups that have international aspirations and a strong desire to succeed in the areas of health, food, and mobility. We focus on startups in Skåne, but we also collaborate with businesses from Skåne and other parts of Sweden and the world.
Our goal is to use innovative solutions to improve quality of life in Skåne and beyond, and to work with established businesses, the public sector, investors, academia, and other members of the innovation system to achieve sustainable progress. We believe that everyone benefits when we work together, and that is why we prioritize collaboration in all of our efforts.
We offer startups operating in the areas of healthtech, foodtech and mobility to join our industry networks, free of charge, in order to gain access to:
✓ Industry-specific business advice
✓ Business opportunities, incl. opportunities to meet potential customers
✓ Access to a large network, with physical and digital gatherings
✓ Industry-specific training, workshops and tools
✓ International visibility, e.g. at trade fairs and in marketing
✓ Support in acquiring financing
✓ Test beds to test products in their right context and environment
✓ Market intelligence, incl. international forerunners, adopted solutions and technological trends
Are you an established business operating in the fields of health, food, or mobility, and looking to connect with innovative startups, expand your network, and stay up-to-date on industry developments? Join one of our industry networks for free and take advantage of the opportunity to share knowledge, establish collaborations, and access market intelligence.
The network is run by the Innovation Skåne lead project Foodtech Innovation Network.
Innovation Skåne also supports the co-workers within Region Skåne to develop their ideas for new products. We verify the needs, investigate the market and in some cases, we develop prototypes and apply for patent. But we do not finalise, market or sell the products. Instead, we look for companies that want to take product ideas to the market.
Here we list product ideas that are ready for final development. Please click on each heading for more information. Do you want to know more or bring a product to the market? Get in touch!
The need
When moving a patient from one treatment room to another, there is often more than just the bed to move. In the case of patients who require a ventilator, for example, this heavy piece of equipment has to be moved alongside the bed, without the various lines and tubes that run between it and the patient stretching or coming loose. There is a need for a transport aid capable of attaching the ventilator to the bed, enabling both these units to be moved by one person in a safe and practical manner.
The solution
Our solution comprises a new, multifunctional transport aid that features a semi-flexible lever arm, which connects the ventilator to the bed. The quick-release coupling is designed to be easy to attach, but also easy to release, if needed.
Status
Our new transport aid is currently in development, with a functional prototype having been produced for active testing in simulated care settings. We are now seeking a partner with development, production and sales capabilities to help further develop the product and bring it to market.
The need
Laparoscopic procedures use long medical instruments, such as laparoscopic forceps, and disposable instruments. During surgery, the user needs to put the instrument down temporarily in a hygienically safe manner. Today, a typical solution involves using pockets on the surgical sheet with plastic inserts. These are not ideal in terms of design, ease of use and patient safety.
The solution
We have developed a separate, optimised holder for long medical instruments.
Status
We are seeking a partner with development, production and sales capabilities to help further develop the product and bring it to market.
The need
In some critical care situations, the patient needs to be placed in the prone position, lying with the face down, for a prolonged period. The design of existing headrests makes adjustment difficult and impractical and does not always allow for positional adjustment for optimal positioning.
The solution
We have developed a number of headrest design types that enable easy and precise adjustment in a number of dimensions and solid angle ranges.
Status
The project must now make a selection from the existing design types. We are seeking a partner with development, production and sales capabilities to help further develop the product and bring it to market.
The need
The radiological activities of hospitals include examinations, or scans, carried out using computerised tomography (CT). During some of these scans, the arms are positioned above the head. Some patients find it difficult to lie in this position. Consequently, the arms often end up in a position that interferes with optimal imaging.
Solution
We have developed a simple but innovative solution that provides practical and comfortable support for the arms when a patient cannot be positioned with their arms above their head. The solution is suitable for all body sizes and is easily adjusted to fit almost anyone. Design protection for the solution has been applied for.
Status
We are seeking a partner with experience in the production and sale of products for positioning of the human body for medical imaging.
The need
In operating theatres, it is common for patients to have to be repositioned on the operating table while anaesthetised. An anaesthetised patient is not only heavy to move, but also susceptible to skin and joint damage. These injuries can occur when pulling the patient to move them into the correct position. To reduce the risk of such injuries and improve ergonomics for healthcare staff, it is desirable to reduce friction under the patient. However, high friction should be maintained when desired.
The solution
We have evaluated an early but relevant prototype, with positive results. The now patent-pending technical solution consists of a transfer sheet with adjustable friction. In an expanded state, such as when inflated, the surface of the sheet exposes the component cells, producing a certain amount of friction. In the corresponding collapsed state, other parts of the sheet are exposed, with a different amount of friction as a result.
Status
We are now seeking a partner with experience of medical devices in surgical environments. A potential partner should have sales experience and production capabilities in this field.
The need
During anaesthesia, continuous monitoring of the patient’s core temperature is of the utmost importance. At the same time, a nasogastric tube also needs to be inserted to drain the patient’s stomach. Today, these separate units require two separate and distinct procedures to be performed. There is a general need to minimise the number of different actions required during invasive procedures on a patient.
The solution
An improved nasogastric tube that accommodates both gastric drainage and core temperature monitoring.
Status
The solution is currently at the conceptual phase. We are seeking a partner with development, production and sales capabilities to help further develop the product and bring it to market.
The need
During hip surgery, the patient’s arm needs to be kept out of the way. Today, various solutions are used, such as adjustable holders attached to the operating table and resting against the patient’s upper arm, or attachment of the patient’s gown to the mattress using pean forceps. None of the current solutions are user-friendly or meet the need for individual adjustment very well.
The solution
We have developed a solution based on a new type of adjustable triangular bandage (“Coxitellan”). Adjustable attachment points allow the tractive force from a stationary attachment point, such as part of the operating table, to be distributed across the triangular bandage in such a way that the arm is held back in an optimal way, with minimal risk of, for example, shoulder injuries.
Status
A functional prototype has been developed, which is being optimised through testing in a simulated care environment. We are now seeking a partner with development, production and sales capabilities to help further develop the product and bring it to market.
The need
In psychiatric care, situations sometimes arise where the patient’s mental state requires mechanical restraint, in order not to self-harm or harm others. This is a controversial method and there is a great need for alternative solutions.
The solution
A specially designed robust and thick mattress, which is also soft, with minimal possibilities for self-harm, allows the care of patients without the use of mechanical restraint.
Status
A design-protected and peer-reviewed prototype mattress has been developed. We are seeking a partner with development, production and sales capabilities to pursue final development of the product and bring it to market.
The need
Some patients who have to avoid putting weight on their feet or lower legs, such as those with foot ulcers or a cast on their leg, find it difficult to move around despite the support of, for example, upright walkers, walking frames or crutches.
The solution
We have developed a knee support that can be mounted on an existing upright walker. The knee support folds out to the “active position” and can be used to take weight off the affected leg.
Status
Our new type of legrest is in late stage development. We are seeking a partner for targeted final development, production and market launch.
The need
Every year about 100,000 people die in Sweden. The current practice, when shrouding the deceased, is to use conventional sheets. Occupational health and safety restrictions mean the sheet cannot be secured after shrouding with safety pins or similar devices, which forces healthcare staff to use other inadequate substitutes, such as tape. There is a need for a more effective solution for shrouding.
The solution
In collaboration with students at the Ingvar Kamprad Design Centre (LTH, Lund), we have developed a new type of stretcher sheet for easy opening and closing, which allows safe transport, is reusable and, most importantly, provides a dignified shroud. The students’ report, which includes further details, can be downloaded here: http://gofile.me/4VxYS/L8t9II2w4
Status
Our new type of stretcher sheet is in late stage development. We are seeking a partner for production and market launch.