A smart wheelchair cushion, EKG analysis and hemorrhoid treatment are some of the innovative solutions accepted to the entrepreneur program STING Test Drive Health. For the fifth year in a row, some 10 promising startups will be coached by STING to evaluate and develop business ideas in health.

The goal of the STING Test Drive Health program is to help create more companies in the health sector. People with their own innovative business idea with a large international growth potential in digital health, biotechnology, medical technology, diagnostics or food can participate.

STING Test Drive Health is led by Gisela Sitbon and Olof Berglund, coaches in health at STING. During the six evening workshops, they help the entrepreneurs to evaluate and develop their business ideas.

– We have a very inspiring and strong field of projects this year, and we see an increase in solutions that give individuals more control over their own health. Among the chosen projects, we have innovative products in areas such as surgery, orthopedics and utilities, but also diagnostics based on Artificial Intelligence and, of course, e-health-based services. It will be very exciting to help them move forward, says Gisela Sitbon, coach at STING (Stockholm Innovation & Growth).

The program, which is free, will be held at the newly opened startup hub H2 Health Hub. At the final workshop, “Best Health Project” will be selected and the winner will receive a prize of SEK 10 000, sponsored by one of the program partners, Merck.

> Read more about STING Test Drive Health 

The participating companies/projects in the STING Test Drive Health are (two of them are in “stealth mode”):

Allergea Technologies works with a holistic and intuitive solution for individuals who suffer from pollen allergies. The company is developing an application, free for the user, containing an artificially-driven digital personality, Amy. Amy optimizes and simplifies life for the user, both before and during the pollen season. www.allergea.se 

Backrefresh System develops a cushion to prevent premature back aging in people who sit for long times at their desks in front of a computer. By angling a portion of the seat cushion on the chair, one can spare your back.

BIOSIGNAL offers a comprehensive budget solution for recording and analysing EKG. The system includes recording equipment, data transmission and an analysis tool, and is aimed primarily at rural areas of developing countries where lack of access to both cardiologists and equipment often leads to loss of rapid diagnosis for heart problems, which is the key to increased survival. www.biosignalpi.org 

Developeration – PeaxyEasy develops a new surgical method for treatment of hemorrhoids. With the newly developed instrument, the operation can be done in much less time and without general anesthesia. The new method will reduce treatment costs by 80 percent and provide the elderly and people with severe heart conditions an opportunity for treatment.

HipStab develops a hip-stabilizing cushion to be used on patients with a suspected hip fracture and/or luxation. The HipStab cushion reduces patients’ physical and mental suffering, obtains stability in the leg and reduce the use of potent drugs. Each year, 18 000 Swedes break their hips. From the time a patient gets to the hospital until he/she gets surgery, notmally takes an average of 22 hours.

Loovia is a marketplace and healthcare platform that makes it easy for the elderly and their families to find, evaluate and book home care and personal services in the home. With Loovia, more elderly people are able to live at home longer, get the right custom care, higher quality of life and greater security.

MedCush develops a wheelchair cushion to improve ergonomics and facilitate movements backwards in a wheelchair. The pad is designed as a conveyor belt in a fixed position where the roller belt, by means of a lever or an electric motor, can be pulled back. This prevents heavy lifting for staff and reduces the risk of injury in a wheelchair.

OMG developed rehabilitation systems in several levels of complexity; from simple sensor bands (bracelets) with flashing LEDs that are activated by movement, to intelligent systems for controlling prostheses and other interactive systems. Optical sensors are developed and used to detect movements.

POAS develops product family BlyLätt™ whose protective clothing is made for health professionals working in direct proximity to intermittent X-ray sources. The value proposition represents a doubling of the equivalent led thickness of personnel protective clothing, an improved near-body vent and an overall ergonomic relief from all the weight of the protective clothing.

Team Infection develops digital tools to make it easier for patients and healthcare providers to meet, and create a more inclusive experience for the patient. Care can then be assigned to more people, with healthier patients.

Team Obstetrics focuses on creating innovative solutions in maternal health. The multidisciplinary team aims to combine existing sensors with software. The aim is to increase patient centricity and the availability of prenatal care. The hope is also to optimize maternal healthcare resources through preventive measures.