NeoQKat Kicks Off: New Technologies for Safer Catheter Positioning in Newborns
16 Oct 2026
This is where the new research project NeoQKat comes in. The project launched at ICCAS – Innovation Center Computer Assisted Surgery – in September, with the project partners coming together for a joint kick-off meeting at the end of the month.
The project aims to develop an electromagnetic catheter tracking system based on quantum-optical magnetic field sensors. The goal is to determine the position of the catheter tip with high precision and reliability.
ICCAS is responsible for key aspects of the navigation system’s development. Data from ultrasound imaging, catheter tracking and sensor technology will be integrated and visualised for clinical users. In collaboration with the Department of Neonatology at Leipzig University Hospital, the team will also define clinical requirements and evaluate the system in a preclinical setting.
NeoQKat brings together partners from research, technology development and medicine:
DLR Projektträger
Quantum Technologies GmbH
Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering (IOM)
HTWK Leipzig - Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur Leipzig
University Hospital Halle (Saale)
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
We look forward to working together on this project and combining expertise in quantum sensing, photonics, medical imaging and navigation.
The NeoQKat project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR).