A series of interviews from EMDT that offers personal perspectives on the diverse and dynamic medical device industry. Here we talk to Arne Hengerer.
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| Arne Hengerer |
Q If I wasn’t talking to you right now, what would you be doing?
A I would be preparing an expert meeting on new concepts in clinical diagnostics. At this meeting, heads of development teams of various Siemens Healthcare entities and scientific and medical experts will discuss how to advance innovative technologies to make the entire continuum of healthcare more efficient. I am a principal expert, this is a particular Siemens’ position, and I am expected to illuminate the field of molecular medicine.
Q How did you get into the industry?
A I was involved in biosensor development during my PhD studies. It was advanced technology in those days and still has great potential to develop and commercialise completely new diagnostic tools. It is important that there is close collaboration between the medical device industry and biotechnologists. That is why I applied a decade ago to work at Siemens Healthcare and was the first biologist to be employed by the company.
Q What is the best thing about your work?
A It is the thrilling challenge to distinguish between technically unfeasible or economically unviable concepts and real innovations that have the potential to contribute to a better diagnosis of diseases. This of course includes networking with luminary experts all over the world.
Q What do you think is the most important medical device invention ever?
A For me, this is still to come. It would be the true integration of complex biological systems into (electric) diagnostic devices to interrogate health status. Or from another perspective, it would be the integration of electric devices into complex biological systems to substitute for biological malfunctions. These concepts are still futuristic, however, we are moving towards achieving them.
Q What should people give more attention to?
A It is critical to balance a vision of the future to drive innovation with realism about its economic viability. This implies that there is a vision, which is of course absolutely mandatory to the process of innovation.
Q What is the most exciting development on the horizon?
A Molecular imaging contrast agents that unveil topographic biochemistry in situ. In this way, molecular imaging contrast agent modalities can provide complementary information on the position and amount of molecular markers in vivo, thus extending the emphasis of radiological imaging beyond the anatomical and functional level.
Q What do you want from your suppliers?
A shared vision and trusting partnerships; this encourages continuous innovations.
Are you interested in more views on what is the most important device invention ever or what developments are on the horizon? Our interviewees work in different sectors and locations of the industry and offer a variety of perspectives. See previous interviews in the Five Minute Interview series at www.emdt.co.uk/department/five-minute-interview [3]