Medical Experts Highlight Innovative Work with Nanomaterials and Medical Devices
CLEVELAND (August 2, 2006) - Three renowned keynote speakers will describe the spectrum of materials-related challenges in orthopedics and spinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, neurology and neurosurgery, and minimally invasive surgery at the upcoming Materials, Medicine and Nanotechnology Summit, to be held in Cleveland Oct. 2-5, 2006.
Hosted by Cleveland Clinic, ASM International and the Nano-Network, the Summit will bring together clinicians, materials experts and medical device manufacturers and suppliers to discuss the latest materials advances, nanotechnology discoveries and medical applications for the healthcare industry.
Plenary keynote speakers include:
Edward C. Benzel, M.D., Chairman of the Cleveland Clinic Spine Institute, the Director of the Neurological Surgery Residency Program, the Director of the Spine Surgery Fellowship Program, and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Benzel will discuss the future of spine surgery and opportunities for using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and nanotechnology which will allow neurosurgeons to perform tasks with greater precision perform tasks that previously were not done at all, and monitor patients more accurately and with greater safety.
Leonard A.R. Golding, M.D., Director of the Innovative Ventricular Assist System (IVAS) Program at Cleveland Clinic, who will discuss the state-of-the-art cardiac pump for use in patients with terminal heart failure that was developed at Cleveland Clinic. The pump is designed to replace the function of the left ventricle muscle - either partially or completely - in these patients. The pump is part of the CorAide Cardiac Assist System which is currently in clinical trials in the United States and already being used by some patients in Europe.
Ali Rezai, M.D., Chairman of the Center for Neurological Restoration and Director of the Brain Neuromodulation Center at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Rezai is one of the leading functional neurosurgeons in the world and was among the first in the country to perform a highly promising neurosurgery procedure involving the use of a "pacemaker" for the brain that haults the occurrence of tremors in patients with Parkinson's disease. At the Summit, Dr, Rezai will discuss the brain surgery technique called deep brain stimulation and the pacemaker device has led to improved quality of life from patients suffering with Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches or other chronic pain syndromes, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and stroke survivors.
The Summit will feature a Nanomedicine track focused on biomedical sensors, drug delivery, cellular diagnostics, tissue engineering and clinical opportunities for nanoparticles. A parallel program track on Materials and Processes for Medical Devices (MPMD) will recognize the role of materials selection and processes in the development of new devices.
On Monday, Oct. 2, the Summit will feature a day of Materials and Processes for Medical Devices training courses covering polymers, basic metallurgy, Nitinol, and fracture and fatigue for medical devices. Morning sessions are designed for engineers and materials professionals, with afternoon sessions designed for clinicians and medical practitioners.
Please visit the conference website at www.nanomedicinesummit.org for registration and exhibitor information.
Cleveland Clinic, located in Cleveland, Ohio, is a not-for-profit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Cleveland Clinic was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation's best hospitals in its annual "America's Best Hospitals" survey. Approximately 1,500 full-time salaried physicians at Cleveland Clinic and Cleveland Clinic Florida represent more than 100 medical specialties and subspecialties. In 2005, there were 2.9 million outpatient visits to Cleveland Clinic. Patients came for treatment from every state and from more than 80 countries. There were nearly 54,000 hospital admissions to Cleveland Clinic in 2005. Cleveland Clinic's Web site address is www.clevelandclinic.org.
