Miniature innovation saves lives worldwide and strengthens Aachen's reputation as a MedTech location
Dr. Thorsten Sieß was awarded the Aachen Engineering Prize on September 6, 2025, for the development of the Impella® heart pump, the smallest of its kind in the world. This pump, measuring only a few centimeters, has already saved approximately 400,000 lives and is considered a milestone in medical technology. Dr. Sieß earned his doctorate at RWTH Aachen University, where he researched minimally invasive heart pumps and realized his vision of combining the pump and motor in a single cardiac catheter.
The award recognizes his tireless dedication as an engineer and entrepreneur. After founding his startup and going through numerous development phases, the company was acquired by the US corporation Johnson & Johnson in 2022. Today, Sieß is CTO at Johnson MedTech | Heart Recovery. Around 70 engineers in Aachen are working on further developments such as intelligent pump systems and solutions for children's hearts.
At the ceremony in Aachen's town hall, RWTH Aachen University Rector Prof. Ulrich Rüdiger and VDI President Prof. Lutz Eckstein praised Sieß's contribution to engineering and Germany's future viability. The Impella pump remains a temporary solution – with the aim of giving the heart time to recover naturally.
Source: www.medzin.nrw
