"Orthopaedic Devices Are Over-Engineered" Says Medtec UK Speaker

Main Category: Bones / Orthopedics
Also Included In: Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 16 Mar 2013 - 0:00 PDT


Current designs of orthopaedic devices are over-engineered and not optimised for in-service life, and standard tests are not addressing the needs of patients, according to an industry-leading speaker at this year's MEDTEC UK Conference (London Olympia, May 1 & 2).

Dr Anne Roques, Chief Research and Development Engineer at Aurora Medical, will tell delegates that designs are over-engineered, sometime at the expense of the implanted construct.

"Implant design can be focused to pass tests," she says, "and therefore are not optimised for the in-service life or performance of the implant-patient."

Dr Roques will also point out that current standard test methodologies do not address the full loading spectrum and increased activities of the younger patient. Her presentation will supported by case study insights into, for example:

• Field failure analysis
• Impact loading in hip replacement
• Long term performance, fatigue assessment - the effect of residual stresses, bone remodelling.

Her presentation is part of the MEDTEC UK Conference 'Engineering perspectives in Design and Development of orthopaedics devices' track (on Thursday May 2), which will also embraces the session 'Eco-friendly and cost-effective coating technology for biomaterials and devices'.

Presented by Professor Kwang Leong Choy, Chair in Materials, Faculty of Engineering, at the Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Nottingham, her session will include:

• Progress and challenges in eco-friendly and cost-effective processing of thin/thick films and nano structured coatings
• Emerging eco-friendly and non-vacuum coating manufacturing technologies
• The process principles, characteristics and advantages of electrostatic spray-assisted vapour deposition (ESAVD) and aerosol-assisted ion deposition (AAID) - plus a comparison of ESAVD and AAID with other coating technologies
• The structure, coating performance, reliability, reproducibility, sustainability, throughput and cost of ESAVD and AAID.

These exclusive sessions are just part a series of Conference presentations that will deliver the latest strategies, tools, technologies and innovations to enable medical device manufacturing organisations to stay ahead of the game in this fast-developing industry.

The MEDTEC UK Conference - which complements a showfloor packed with the latest products and services for effective and efficient manufacture, sub-contracting and supply chain management - will present some of the leading  industry thinking to keep delegates one step ahead in terms of regulation, drug delivery, orthopaedic devices and surgical instrumentation.

Plus there are sessions on wearable wireless medical devices and helping manufacturers do business in the UK and overseas with advice on tapping into the potential in BRIC markets and how filing for patents in the UK could secure tax rebates.

In addition, a series of Innovation Briefings will enable medical device manufacturers to present innovations to intellectual property experts, private equity managers and potential partners, and special Networking areas will bring together start-up companies and potential partners, like-minded engineers and delegates looking for professional advice and expertise.

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