Fresh start for flooring that reduces fall injuries
A new flooring technology can drastically reduce fall injuries among the elderly. Rubber spikes activate in the event of a sudden impact and can prevent, for example, femoral fractures. The technology is based on KTH research and was initially developed with the support of the Kraftcentrum Flemingsberg program.
The idea for the new flooring technology is based on research conducted at the same Flemingsberg hub responsible for the successful Mips helmet technology. Taking the step towards reducing fall injuries originated from a suggestion made by a business coach at Flemingsberg Science.
“Something that was initially a side avenue has become an important product that could help large numbers of people. It feels great and I really hope that we can get exposure for the product,” says Svein Kleiven, professor at KTH.
A preliminary application of the flooring was made in 2017 at the Verklighetslabb at Stureby elderly care home, where a gym floor was fitted with the fall-dampening flooring, an installation that was renewed in spring 2019 with a new type of rubber flooring.
“We had a few problems that have since been addressed. The next step is further development to produce a solution for wet-rooms,” he says.
The idea is that every apartment at the home is fitted with the fall-dampening flooring.
The flooring is also installed in Flemingsberg in a smaller bedroom at KTH Integration lab. The lab has a full-scale mock-up of an apartment for technical healthcare innovations.
“We’re planning to install our flooring in all rooms in the apartment once we’ve developed a wet-room solution. We’ll start work on this in the autumn,” says Kleiven.
When the complete solution is ready, it will be time to distribute the product more widely on the market. Product development is being conducted by the Igelkott Golv company: that name in English? Appropriately: Hedgehog Carpet.
How can the ATMP facilities at KI and Karolinska support your product development?
Developing Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) is a growing field. Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital have unique facilities and expertise in this field.
“We want to increase the interest from the industry to collaborate with researchers”
The pre-GMP laboratory at Karolinska Institutet gives companies the opportunity to develop products, drugs and treatments. It is hoped for an increased interest from the industry to cooperate. Professor Matti Sällberg, head of the pre GMP unit, talks more about how this can be helpful early in the development.
Flemingsberg Science Award STARTUP open for contestants
STARTUP is a competition for startups with a clear connection to Flemingsberg, either as students, residents or otherwise active in the area. In addition to the prize money of SEK 10,000, the winner will also have a free place for three months in Flemingsbergs Sciences' innovation environment. Deadline for participation is April 5.
Flemingsberg Science celebrates ten years – follow the journey to today
This year marks the 10 year anniversary of the start of the the Flemingsberg Science Foundation. The decade has seen a number of initiatives that have contributed to the development of Flemingsberg as a regional city center in southern Stockholm. A new publication summarizes the ten-year journey made by the Flemingsberg Science Foundation during the years 2011-2021. Here, the foundation's three periods of activity are described under the headings: More new knowledge-intensive companies, Collaboration for a strong campus and A living and open university city.
Dance collective focusing on young people takes the stage at Flemingsberg’s stage art residence
The dance collective Johanssons pelargoner och dans will be the first to appear on the stage art residence established by Huddinge municipality and Södertörn University. In 2021, the collective will, among other things, develop workshops and give open rehearsals in Flemingsberg.
Stockholm Life Science Conference
On May 25, Karolinska Institutet is organizing Stockholm Life Science Conference, a full-day event to co-create the life science system of the future.