VARTA Microbattery GmbH

At the Virtual Compamed 2020, which takes place from 16th to 19th November, the technology company from Ellwangen (Germany) will present its broad product portfolio of microbatteries for intelligent applications in the medical sector. One of the highlights is the Hydrogen Gas Generating cell (H2 cell), which is used, among other applications, for so-called Smart Pills.

The hydrogen generator cell from VARTA’s product portfolio makes innovative and mobile dosing devices such as Smart Pills possible: A capsule which can be swallowed provides diagnostic information and can administer a dosed medication at an exact place. The principle of an H2 cell is based on the build-up of gas pressure, which triggers the release of substances through displacement.

In addition to the H2 cell, VARTA, with the latest CoinPower® series, offers a high-performance lithium-ion cell for various technologically intelligent applications such as insulin pumps or smart monitoring systems, for example for infants, seniors or athletes. VARTA also provides optimal energy for products of the Internet of Medical Things with its proven and powerful lithium primary and silver oxide button cells. The Ellwangen-based company is thus making an important contribution to the further development of medical devices which, thanks to their small size, help to improve the quality of life, safety and comfort for the users.

„Our microbatteries work with the latest technology that is available on the market and thus enable many smart and vital applications and devices of the Internet of Medical Things. The medical sector will make a quantum leap in the coming years, which we would like to advance further and faster with our products“, Philipp Miehlich, General Manager OEM VARTA Microbattery, says.

At the Virtual Compamed, Johannes Durschang, Key Account Manager at VARTA Microbattery will speak in an online session on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at 10:00 am focussing on the topic of "Technologies To Enable Smart Medicals".
The participation in the online event is free. The registration can be done using the following link: https://virtual.compamed.de/

"Please keep your distance" is certainly one of the sentences most often heard and read at the moment. Signs, markings on the ground and barrier tape are common means of protecting people from the risk of infection with Covid-19. The Austrian SAFEDI Distance Control GmbH takes a completely different approach. Its product innovation SAFEDI is intended to also help industrial companies minimise the risk of coronavirus infection in their workforce.

Based on the further development of Bluetooth technology, the sensor system is able to determine the distance between two or more people in the near and facial area, which is particularly sensitive to infections. Detection is done quickly and does not require any physical contact. "In order for the clip to fulfil its purpose reliably, it is dependent on a safe energy source. VARTA CoinPower, which is characterized by high quality and reliability, is of course the first choice," explains Philipp Miehlich, General Manager OEM at VARTA Microbattery GmbH. For example, the distance alarms are equipped with a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery, the CP1654 cell from the CoinPower series. Within a very short time, VARTA succeeded in adapting the assembly of the cells specifically to SAFEDI's requirements, so that the new product could be brought to market quickly. The battery is rechargeable via Micro-USB cable. In a field test with four companies from different industries, SAFEDI has proven its suitability for practical use, and series production has started. Christian Beer, owner and managing director of the Dornbirn-based company, explains the idea behind it: "With our distance warning device, we want to help shorten the economic and social standstill, because companies can use it to maintain their operations."

"We are enthusiastic about the SAFEDI innovation, which enables companies in the Corona crisis to resume operations and protect workers. By using the device, companies are also living up to their social responsibility towards their employees, and VARTA supports this commitment with full conviction," emphasizes Philipp Miehlich. VARTA plans to use the distance warning device in its own factories.

The 15 gramme clip is about the size of a coin and can be attached to clothing or worn on a chain. Its range is up to eight metres. As soon as people approach each other, the SAFEDI device triggers an optical signal as a pre-warning. If two people fall below the minimum distance, optical and acoustic signals are continuously released. All users can register their devices online and keep an anonymous close contact log. The log records which ID numbers have come close to each other. Once an infection is detected, those SAFEDI devices are notified that were in close contact with the infected person, according to the close contact log. This is done via push notification, which contains recommendations for required action. All users remain completely anonymous. The system works completely without personal data. Only the SAFEDI ID of the device is registered for keeping the close contact log, not the person. All ID numbers older than the possible incubation period of 14 days are automatically deleted.

 

Inform about medical, wearables and IoT applications 
Our virtual booth is focusing on two virtual people who can be used to show visitors various applications using batteries. The spectrum ranges from medical applications such as measuring vital parameters, glucose monitoring, drug dosage and insulin pumps to data glasses, shoe sensors and smart security systems. The entire presentation is rounded off with Bluetooth headsets, fitness trackers and the innovative Safedi distance warning device, which was developed in the shortest possible time for use in the corona pandemic.

Those interested can contact VARTA directly via a chat function and be advised.

Many people have become more aware of the importance of ventilators during the current Covid-19 pandemic. They can save the lives of infected people and are also used in numerous other medical applications. An important aspect here is that they must always work consistently and reliably. The power supply plays a crucial role, especially for ventilators that are powered by batteries. “We want to support people and doctors as much as possible in preventing and combating the Covid-19 pandemic. Many manufacturers and users rely on batteries from VARTA for supplying power to their ventilators. They trust the security they associate with the name. This is no coincidence, because since 1887 the name VARTA has stood for intelligent energy storage systems of the highest quality and reliability ‘made in Germany’,” emphasises Philipp Miehlich, General Manager OEM at VARTA. VARTA Microbattery will be showcasing its range of battery solutions for medical applications at a new online congress, the ‘medical design - Mobile Health Exhibition and Conference 2020’. The event for mHealth applications is taking place from 25 to 26 August 2020. For autumn 2020 VARTA is also announcing a new generation of rechargeable Lithium-Ion cells.

Increased demand quickly met
VARTA is the market leader for Nickel-Metal Hydride button cells, which are also used in ventilators with an alarm feature. As Philipp Miehlich explains, manufacturers are also benefiting from this during the current pandemic: “When producers ask for considerably more batteries for ventilators because of the corona pandemic, we can respond quickly. For example, we have just produced ten times the number of batteries previously supplied to a manufacturer in a very short time.”

Increasingly smaller, increasingly higher energy density
Even without being ill, many people consider it very important to always be up to date about their own state of health or to always keep the necessary distance to other people. Both can make use of wearables, small technical helpers that measure physiological functions or warn when people are too close. A reliable and secure energy supply is also essential here. These electronic devices are becoming increasingly smaller and require rechargeable batteries with an increasingly higher energy density. “VARTA AG Group offers various battery solutions for a wide range of applications, which reliably supply energy at high capacity even on the smallest scale. As a result, we believe that we are optimally positioned in the corona pandemic to help in the crisis wherever possible,” says Philipp Miehlich.

This is achieved, for example, with the energy supply for a medical in-ear sensor that measures the heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and core body temperature. The device is used for medically monitoring Covid-19 patients remotely, thus helping hospitals, clinics and other medical facilities during the current crisis. Several clinical studies are currently underway where VARTA is supporting the manufacturer with the CP1254 rechargeable battery from the CoinPower series and is supplying large quantities of the battery in a short time.

Another wearable that is useful in corona times looks like a cordless headset but is actually a pulse monitor in the ear that also measures the heart rate variability and body temperature. Here too, a CP1254 cell from VARTA’s CoinPower series supplies the necessary energy.

Always maintaining a safe distance is one of the maxims during a pandemic. This is where the innovative SAFEDI distance warning device comes in, which is equipped with a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery, the CP1654 cell from VARTA’s CoinPower series. The dedicated efforts of VARTA’s design team enabled the new product to be launched within four weeks. The sensor system is based on the further development of Bluetooth technology and is capable of determining the distance between two or more people quickly and without contact. As soon as people approach one another, the coin-sized clip triggers a visual signal as an advance warning. If two people come within the minimum distance, visual and acoustic signals are continuously triggered.