Elastomers in Medical Devices

Title: Elastomers in Medical Devices
Event: Afternoon Technical Discussion Meeting
Date: Friday 11th June, 2004
Start time: 2pm
Venue: IOM3, 1 Carlton House Terrace, LONDON
Location: map and directions

A series of short talks will be given by researchers

Attendance at the meeting will be free of charge, but you must reserve your place by first contacting Vince Coveney:

Organiser: Dr Vince Coveney
Address: Engineering, Medicine & Elastomers Research Centre, University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol, BS16 1QY
telephone: +44 (0)117 32 82639
fax: +44 (0)117 32 83800

Programme

Start 2:00pm

1. "The Challenge of Elastomer Selection for Medical Devices"
   Adrian Lyszkowski (SSL International, Cambridge)
   (**Brief abstract to follow**)
   
   
2. "Modelling Elastomers for Medical Device Applications"
   Dr. John Clark (Fine R and D, King's Lynn, Norfolk)
   Medical devices fall into two market segments: established commodities, like splints; and novel high-value devices, for example for drug delivery. The latter are attractive to pharmaceutical companies for their ability to extend the proprietary life of drugs, especially as the 'pipeline' of new
   drugs is drying up. The developers of these devices face many business challenges, such as toughening regulatory hurdles, including the need to demonstrate economic as well as clinical benefits, the need to shorten the very long product development cycles typical of this industry, and increasing cost pressure as the ability of governments and healthcare management organisations to raise taxes and premiums to fund healthcare has saturated. This talk will show how judicious use of modelling can address these issues. It will discuss both the benefits and difficulties of such modelling.
   
   
3. "Rubber in the milking machine"
   David Boast (Avon Rubber, Westbury, Wilts)
   A crucial aspect of the use of rubber in the milking machine concerns its interaction with the cow's teat; this interaction is the main focus of the talk.
   
   
4. TBA
   Mark O'Brien of Advanced Medical Solutions
   

4:00pm Group Discussion
4:20pm Tea