In Germany, people with statutory health insurance are entitled to medical aids from their health insurance fund. The medical aids directory of the GKV-Spitzenverband (National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds) includes various product groups such as
- Vision and hearing aids (glasses, hearing aids)
- Prosthetics (prostheses)
- Orthopaedic aids (orthopaedic shoes, wheelchairs)
- Orthoses and bandages
- Incontinence and stoma products
- Care aids
- Other medical aids
The medical aids directory not only lists medical aids, but also specifies binding requirements for medical aid manufacturers regarding the function and quality of individual medical aid groups.
Discover our service portfolio for medical aids and consumer products
Compression stockings
We test and evaluate medical compression textiles according to RAL-GZ 387 or DIN 58133 for you:
- Compression effect of stockings according to RAL-GZ 387/1
- Compression effect of armsleeves according to RAL-GZ 387/2
- Compression effect of hosiery systems for the treatment of ulcus cruris according to RAL-GZ 387/3
Orthoses and bandages
We test and evaluate the microclimate and wear comfort according to AiF 11283.
In order for a bandage or orthosis to be included in the medical device directory, certain thermophysiological requirements must be met. During use of the products, the relative humidity in the microclimate between the skin and the product must be below 80% RH and the temperature must be below 35°C.
Depending on the product, these requirements are checked by means of test subjects or by measuring the material structure on our Hohenstein skin model in accordance with DIN EN ISO 11092 and the specifications of AiF 11283.
Incontinence products
We test and evaluate for you product features such as absorbency, leak protection, breathability, and processability.
Common test methods for determining absorbency and leakage protection are:
- Test method No. 12/2015 MDS-Hi (testing of absorbent incontinence aids, includes fluid absorption, absorption speed and rewetting)
- ISO 11948-1 (urine collection aids, part 1: testing of the entire product – ‘Rothwell test’)
For reusable incontinence products, safety and effectiveness must be proven when new and after the number of reprocessing cycles specified by the manufacturer.
