On 29 April, Furtwangen University (HFU) hosted the HFU Health Conference 2026, which this year focused on the theme: ‘Health for all ! Effective strategies through personalised healthcare?’.
The event highlighted the opportunities offered by personalised healthcare in the areas of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care. It also provided an opportunity to explore ways of realising the ambition of “health for all”.
Discussions focused on ethical issues, innovative medical concepts, digital solutions and care models tailored to the specific needs of different target groups.
Professor Volker Bucher’s team from the Institute of Microsystems Technology (iMST) at the HFU, a partner in the HelpMeWalk project, took part in the conference.
On this occasion, they provided an overview of their work and the results achieved as part of their contribution to the project.
The aim of the HelpMeWalk project was to develop a digital alternative to traditional plaster casting for the manufacture of custom-made orthoses. To this end, a smart bandage was developed; it is equipped with magnetic sensors that enable anatomical measurements to be taken and relies on modelling software.
One of the main focuses of the work carried out by the iMST at the HFU was the development of a suitable coating and encapsulation for the sensors, in order to make the bandages washable.
Nicolas Pfaff presented the results achieved as part of the project via a poster entitled: ‘
Washable encapsulation of flexible printed circuits’.
Many thanks to all our visitors for the interesting conversations and the positive feedback!