A 3D game-based platform for virtual training in surgical techniques, new software that aids the mechanical ventilation of patients and a certification for artificial intelligence systems in health are the three proposals of the CREB UPC that have been selected in the “la Caixa” Foundation’s 2021 CaixaResearch Validate call. This programme was launced in 2015 in collaboration with Caixa Capital Risc and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT Health), it will support 17 of the 97 projects presented in the call, aimed at early-stage innovation proposals. Projects will each receive up to 100,000 euros to validate their technologies and design a roadmap for their valorisation process.

The euproject Smart Autonomous Robotic Assistant Surgeon (SARAS), participated by Dr. Alicia Casals from CREB UPC has the goal to develop the next-generation of surgical robotic systems, increasing the social and economic efficiency of a hospital while guaranteeing the same level of safety for patients.

What are Catalonia’s strengths as an ecosystem of innovation in health technology? How can effective open innovation be established between the different actors? What should be the role of the public and private sector in the dynamization and promotion of these processes? These are some of the questions that have been resolved in “Building Bridges for HealthTech Innovation”, the first event in a series of conferences organised by Xartec Salut (CREB UPC) to promote synergies between the entire ICT community.

Pel que fa a l’àmbit de la Inclusió, el projecte guanyador ha estat ‘Tecnologia per a la millora de la inclusió i la qualitat de vida de persones amb malalties neuromusculats’, del Laboratori d’Enginyeria Biomecànica (BIOMEC) del CREB. D’altra banda, ‘WOMEN-UP: method with biofeedback for training muscles of the pelvic floor’ ha rebut el Premi de Valorització de la Recerca en la modalitat de millor patent. Desenvolupada pels investigadors del CREB UPC del grup de recerca BIOsignal Analysis for Rehabilitation and Therapy (BIOART) i del grup de recerca Instrumentació Electrònica i Biomèdica (IEB).

It’s been quite a ride this past year watching digital health catapult from a niche sector to a mainstream market. Seismic shifts from the COVID-19 pandemic launched digital health into high gear, and the momentum has only accelerated. In USA, 2021 first semester already surpassed 2020’s overall funding record. Monthly funding in June 2021 ($3.1B) was almost triple that of June 2020 ($1.1B).