​​​​ ​​Marthinus Bekker, the genius behind the Unified Incubation and Detection System (UIDS).​​

Bekker, a Clinical Engineering graduate, works as a medical device consultant and educational expert for a medical device company based in Germany.

“My active daily duties include, training of engineers on Hematology and Hemostasis analysers and development of course material. I also run my own privately funded think tank where I specialise in designs and inventions relating to medical technology,” he says.

Bekker explains that the UIDS, which was published by his employer, focuses on reducing the size of specific medical diagnostic devices and the technology used.

“The design does not change the current main goal of testing blood samples but it allows for major system components to be integrated into one assembly. This integration thus allow for a smaller instrument footprint with regard to throughput, samples to be loaded in a measurement ring and yet be able to deliver results on moving samples,” he adds.

The Pretoria-born inventor says he is currently working on another private design which focuses on assisting surgeons during Aortic Arch Surgeries when DHCA is applied.

“With this design, I also want to focus on providing a solution to Human Torporing to assist during possible future missions to Mars,” he indicates.

He says although most of his inventions rely on international interest as most major medical device manufacturers are located in Europe, Asia or America, he plans to bring some of these designs to the South African market.

“I currently don’t have any plans to return to South Africa, but I will definitely be visiting from time to time. I do however, dream of remotely driving R&D centers in South Africa, thus allowing talented students to develop their ideas with support,” he concludes.

For more information on the Tshwane University of Technology please contact Willa de Ruyter on tel: 012 382 5352 or send an email to deruyterw@tut.ac.za.