If there’s one word that Ulf Pilz hears every day now, it’s probably networking. Dr.-Ing. Ulf Pilz has been the new professor for medical technology at the department since the 2022/2023 winter semester Applied Sciences at the Technical University (TH) Lübeck.
From the energy electronics technician via medical technology at Drägerwerk AG to the university
Ulf Pilz comes back to the university from practice: After training as an energy electronics technician, Ulf Pilz deepened his practical knowledge in the field of measurement, control and regulation technology by studying electrical engineering in Hamburg-Harburg.
My dissertation dealt, among other things, with the construction of a quadrocopter fleet for autonomous formation flight under communication topologies that change over time and the application of these algorithms on the basis of a real-time operating system, says Pilz.
After completing his doctorate, he was drawn to industry at the interface between medicine and technology. He dealt with the basic development of technology projects such as heat therapy devices, non-contact vital data acquisition and modular anesthesia devices. Most recently, he worked in medical technology at Drägerwerk AG as a strategic technology manager in the development area for anesthesia devices.
Teaching with a view to application and transfer
Teaching and especially the supervision of students has been a matter close to his heart over the years: Parallel to his professional activity, Pilz supervised numerous student theses and internships, and as a lecturer gave lectures on medical technology systems, methods of medical technology and anesthesia at various universities.
I particularly appreciated the mutual exchange and therefore never gave up contact with the universities over the years, says Pilz.
For his teaching, he wants to keep in touch with industry and keep up the intellectual exchange. In addition, he plans to keep his well-equipped laboratory up to date in exchange with various companies. “This promotes transfer, strengthens our ability to cooperate, and our students are optimally prepared for their jobs using the latest technology,” said Pilz. “My approach will be: How do you quickly develop functionality that can be tested on medical devices?”
Research topic networking of medical devices
The networking of medical devices will also be the most important aspect of his research work. “Especially in the operating room, a lot of data – eg blood pressure, heart rate or arterial oxygen saturation – is collected in a short time,” he cites as an example. The anesthetic machine controls the administration of the anesthetic, and opiates and muscle relaxants are usually administered via a syringe pump. All of this data has to be recorded quickly and constantly adjusted in a clever way so that the patient is well on the one hand and the staff is relieved of routine work on the other. So far, this adjustment has been standardized – it would be better if it were individualized. “The increasing automation and networking of therapy devices in operating theaters and intensive care units on the one hand and, at the same time, the control of a therapy that is precisely tailored to the individual patient – that will be the focus of medical technology in the future,” Ulf Pilz is certain. Both physicians and patients will benefit.
I look forward to many collaborative projects that are possible for this topic.