The University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich (UniBW M) was founded in 1973 under the name “University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich” at the request of the then Federal Minister of Defense, Helmut Schmidt. It is one of two universities that the Bundeswehr has to train its officer candidates and young officers. The university belongs to the civilian department of human resources and is assigned to the Federal Ministry of Defence.
On 11.08.2020, UniBw M opened a new "Center for Digitization and Technology Research of the Bundeswehr" (dtec. Bw). dtec. Bw is part of the Federal Government's economic stimulus package to overcome the COVID-19 crisis and is provided with research funds from the economic stimulus package via the Federal Ministry of Defense (BMVg). The MEXT project is supported by dtec. Bw promoted.
In the MEXT project, UniBw M intends to develop a high-performance pulse source with a variable pulse shape for use in transcranial magnetic stimulation, which will complement current research and significantly expand existing therapeutic options.
The object of the contract is the development of a high-performance pulse source with variable pulse shape for use in transcranial magnetic stimulation.
In the course of the MEXT project from the DTEC initiative, research is being carried out in the field of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). It is a painless, non-invasive stimulation of the brain by means of a stimulation coil. A pulsed magnetic field is generated under the coil that passes through the skull, inducing an electric field in the brain and generating an action potential in the stimulated area of the cerebral cortex. TMS is used in basic neurocognitive science research and is used for therapeutic purposes. The aim of the project is to develop new hardware modules for TMS devices, in particular in the form of a high-power pulse source with variable pulse shape for use in transcranial magnetic stimulation, which can be used to complement current research and significantly expand existing therapeutic options. This opens up completely new therapeutic possibilities. In this context, certification according to the medical device standard is also sought for the approval of the new device.
The new stimulator will be evaluated with regard to its improved performance profiles, for which neurophysiological, neuromotor and psychological tests and measuring stations will be developed and used. A clinical trial on therapeutic efficacy is also planned. Various faculties and external partners are working on the design and evaluation of the new stimulator. With this new interdisciplinary TMS approach, UniBw M has a great opportunity to become the location of highly innovative, medically relevant technology development.
On the basis of the first two prototypes for the modular multilevel TM stimulator developed at UniBw M, the contractor must further develop these prototypes, taking into account standards and ease of manufacturability. Within the project, the contractor must develop, among other things, capacitors and semiconductor modules. The contractor must respond to these developments, as UniBw M developed them specifically for the project and they meet the specific requirements of the application.
The object of the contract is the development of a high-performance pulse source with variable pulse shape for use in transcranial magnetic stimulation.
UniBw M has a total budget of EUR 230,000.00 (gross) at its disposal for the development services.
UniBw M reserves the right to exclude bids that exceed this budget from the award procedure and to cancel the procedure if only bids above the budget are received.
Details can be found in the service description.