In this project, Connected Consumables (ConnCons GmbH) and its partners researched the foundations for fully digitized infusion therapies – from chemotherapy to dialysis – by embedding data and connectivity directly into medical consumables such as tubing and connectors.
Goal
The objective of the project was to explore the technological and regulatory foundations for seamless digital connectivity in medical fluid systems. The core vision: medical consumables such as tubing, connectors, medication containers, and pump interfaces should serve not only to guide fluids, but also to transmit information and ultimately to enable higher degree of automation in therapy processes. To this end, the partners investigated communication technologies for smart consumables, concepts for multi-inlet pump systems, and a digital platform capable of connecting hospital information systems, logistics, pharmacy, and billing workflows. Work on an intelligent infusion port represented a further area of focus. At the same time, the project established the regulatory and quality management foundations required for the approval of automated infusion therapies, including potential future application in home-care settings.
Results
The project successfully validated the core concepts of data over medical tubing and end-to-end connectivity. Key achievements include:
- Functional transmission path from pump through tubing to bag, tested in dual-hop architecture
- Cross-component ID transmission across consumables demonstrated in system-level testing
- System demonstrator with software connectivity and GUI (Graphical User Interface) illustrating the overall system vision
- Regulatory approval concept, risk strategy, and quality management documentation for an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) system
- With these results, the project has delivered the technical and regulatory foundation it set out to establish – bringing a new generation of digitally integrated, automated infusion therapy meaningfully within reach for both clinical and home-care settings.
Some areas were scoped back to focus resources on the core technology: the infusion port sensor platform, the ASIC specification, and full end-to-end software integration were not completed in full depth. These are the natural next development steps on the path to a market-ready system.
Project Partners
To achieve the project goals, SITEC Industrietechnologie GmbH, Murrplastik Medizintechnik GmbH and Medizinische Klinik 1 of the University Hospital Dresden worked together with Connected Consumables (ConnCons GmbH).
Facts and figures
Coordinator: TU Dresden, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Dresden
Project Partners: SITEC Industrietechnologie GmbH, Murrplastik Medizintechnik GmbH, Connected Consumables (ConnCons GmbH)
Start Date: November 01, 2023
End Date: March 31, 2026
Total Funding: € 695.000
The project is co-funded by the European Unionsupported by the Saxon state: Europe supports Saxony (Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB) and European Fund for Regional Development (EFRE)).
Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the granting authority. The granting authority can not be held responsible for them.