To visit MedTech West, enter Sahlgrenska Hospital by the main door and take the elevator or stairs at D to the sixth floor – this is where the new spacious premises of the research center are located.
MedTech West held the official opening of the new premises in Blå stråket 5 last Wednesday, with a social gathering and a bite to eat.
Göran Pegenius and Magnus Thordstein were occupied in one of MedTech West’s new labs installing the equipment they use during transcranial magnet stimulation (TMS) investigations. TMS under navigation is used to study how the brain works before, during and after surgery.
“We can map various functions, such as language and motor functions. The technology is used not only for diagnosis, but also to support the surgeon during brain surgery,” says Magnus Thordstein, Consultant at the Department of Clinical Neurophysiology.
He sees many advantages of MedTech West’s new location.
“We have managed to collect a great deal of technology right in the center of the hospital. This makes it easier to achieve productive collaboration between the healthcare system, scientists, and the companies that are in the forefront of technical development. Working at an advanced technical level requires technicians, physicists and engineers in the team to make sure that everything works.”
Magnus Thordstein and Göran Pegenius, a medical laboratory scientist, are convinced also that the day-to-day contact with MedTech West gives many positive effects, such as new ideas to pick up and work on.
“I’m sure that it’s important for the development of both research and medical care. And the opening of Boic, the Imaging and Intervention Centre, will provide even more opportunities for us,” says Magnus Thordstein.
Some guests are chatting to Henrik Mindedal, Director of MedTech West at the entrance. He believes that the move will provide great new opportunities.
“The labs here are extremely high quality; we have considerably more workplaces than previously and more light. The greatest advantage is that everything is together in one place. Now we have a truly innovative environment with expertise in medical technology and clinical issues, right in the center of the hospital. This is an environment close to the patients where new solutions can be born, develop and where everyone is welcome,” says a smiling Henrik Mindedal.
The Academic Dean of the Sahlgrenska Academy, Olle Larkö, has recently taken over as Chairman of the Steering Committee for MedTech West from Lars Grip, Director of Research, Development and Education at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
By: Monica Havström
