Siemens is a leader in European patent applications
26 July 2006
News
With 1548 patent applications at the European Patent Office, Siemens has demonstrated its leadership in filing European patent applications. During the most recently-completed fiscal year, Siemens AG said it spent 5,2 billion Euros on research and development.
"With 207 key patents registered, medical technology played a special role among our applications," says Professor Winfried Büttner, head of Siemens Intellectual Property.
Prime examples that these investments pay off include the 'Somatom Definition' dual-source CAT scanner that produces images of even fast-beating hearts with a previously unknown level of detail while emitting 50% less radiation, and the Quicklab, a credit card-sized mini-lab with which any doctor can reliably identify pathogens in only one hour.
The Somatom CAT scanner is said to be the first such system in the world to use two parallel-rotating X-ray emitters that speeds up the examination while reducing the radiation exposure for patients and raising the image quality and the number of images per second. The Quicklab uses an electronic bio-chip that automatically extracts and analyses the genetic information of viruses and bacteria from blood samples or other bodily fluids. It outputs the diagnostic information in the form of an electrical signal, making it simpler and faster than complex optical procedures.
"Once again, our innovative strength makes us No. 1 in registrations with the German Patent Office, No. 2 at the European Patent Office, and among the Top Ten in the US," says Büttner. "The company is highly selective when it comes to determining which inventions are worthy of a patent application. The focus is on patent quality."
For more information contact Siemens Southern Africa, +27 (0)11 652 2000.
Further reading:
Rooibos heads to space
News
A South African scientific initiative linking agriculture and space research has officially launched today with the Rooibos in Space programme at Parklands College’s Innovation Centre in Cape Town.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Local can be international
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
Welcome to the July 2026 issue of
Dataweek. As you can see from this introduction,
Dataweek’s regular editor, Peter Howells, is on extended leave and I am filling the void in his editor’s column – hopefully without being too boring.
Read more...
Landis+Gyr EMEA introduces new company name: EYKON
News
EYKON is the new company name of Landis+Gyr EMEA, formerly part of the Landis+Gyr Group. The company supports electricity, gas, water and thermal utilities in managing increasingly complex networks, improving operational efficiency and enabling more sustainable use of resources.
Read more...
Yamaha Robotics will show visitors to EFX
Manufacturing / Production Technology, Hardware & Services News
Yamaha Robotics will show visitors to EFX 2026, the Expo for Electronics Manufacturing, in Stuttgart from 6-8 October 2026, how advanced surface-mount automation helps companies grow their business and increase productivity.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: The art of measuring the truth
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
All electronic measurements are a lie. The trick is making the lie as small as possible.
Read more...
TSE has relocated
News
The Technology Station in Electronics (TSE) has entered a new chapter with its relocation from the CSIR campus to TUT-owned building at Ditsela Place in Hatfield.
Read more...
Innovative MyLegrand app
RS South Africa
News
Legrand SA is set to launch the MyLegrand mobile application, a digital platform designed to strengthen engagement across its professional network.
Read more...
Kulani Energy acquires critical assets from Optipower
News
Kulani Energy preserves engineering, procurement, and construction capability and positions a wholly women-owned firm at the forefront of South Africa’s grid expansion.
Read more...
From Cape Town to Johannesburg
News
Würth Elektronik South Africa has taken a significant step forward with its recent relocation from Cape Town to Johannesburg, marking a new phase of growth and ambition for the company.
Read more...
Lesley Havenga: Building partnerships for Africa’s electronics future
Editor's Choice News
As Würth Electronik expands its footprint across South Africa and the broader sub-Saharan region, Havenga’s blend of manufacturing expertise, supply chain knowledge, and people-centred leadership appears well suited to the task.
Read more...
printer friendly version