KliNet5G

Clinical networks via 5G

© Project KliNet5G

Project description
KliNet5G will evaluate the feasibility of a 5G-based network infrastructure based on OpenRAN in hospitals with medical technology, biosensor and hospital logistics applications. Technically, a clinical 5G test field will be set up using the Technology toolbox from the lead projects with a two-stage strategy. The use cases are selected to represent a broad spectrum of the performance parameters of 5G: from high bandwidth and low latency to high numbers of subscribers and very low power consumption. Due to the close interlocking of the consortium with the lead project, requirements can be reflected back at an early stage and new developments can be tested. The pilot applications are each developed by an industrial partner and a university partner and evaluated together with the hospital IT and external experts. In addition to the technical applications, the focus is also on risk considerations, licensability and possible operator models.

Market perspective and product promise
Available powerful networking technologies are a driver for the development of mobile applications in hospitals. At the same time, the trend within hospitals is moving towards more flexible working environments and thus towards changing requirements for the infrastructures provided. 5G technology covers the new requirements for innovations in the hospital market as well as in the medical technology and IT market. The companies involved in the project are substantially developing their products to better meet the new market requirements and gain a competitive advantage. It can be assumed that the concepts of KliNet5G can also be transferred to other areas, e.g. care centres, mobile patient care or nursing. The high requirements and the complexity of the infrastructures are enormous hurdles for the establishment of 5G in the healthcare sector. The concepts and applications in KliNet5G are a decisive impulse for the transformation of the healthcare market towards the use of modern communication technologies. This transformation will sustainably increase supply and demand for innovative medical technology solutions and open up long-term market prospects for companies.

Challenge and innovation
The introduction of a new communication infrastructure is a major challenge in the medical context. Due to the high demands on security and stability combined with the increasing need for flexible networks, adaptations can only happen in close cooperation with hospital operators, manufacturers of medical devices and the providers of the network infrastructure. The use of mobile technology within hospitals opens up new possibilities for the flexible use of rooms and new medical technology applications. Through the use of OpenRAN, in addition to strengthening technological sovereignty, greater flexibility in the selection and use of network components can be achieved. As a result of the project, the technologies will be integrated into the hospital infrastructure by means of demonstrators and evaluated together with the various stakeholders. Furthermore, guidelines for manufacturers of medical devices as well as for hospital operators will be developed.

Use Cases
• Tracking of medical equipment within the hospital grounds
• Wireless transmission of video data in compliance with medical requirements (loss-free transmission, very low latencies, high resolution)
• Biosensor technology for location-independent patient monitoring
• Wireless control of medical devices with real-time requirements

All use cases are considered holistically. In addition to the technical implementation, the challenges of operation and approval are addressed.

Consortium
Universitätsmedizin Leipzig (Innovation Center Computer Assisted Surgery (ICCAS) und Universitätsklinikum Leipzig AöR, Konsortialführer), Schölly Fiberoptic GmbH, steute Technologies GmbH, Inova DE GmbH, MotionMiners GmbH, TU Chemnitz (Lehrstuhl für Kommunikationsnetze), Universität Rostock (IMD)

Duration
April 2022 - March 2025

Budget
Total funds: 4.1 million €
Funding amount: 2.7 million €