Institution news
Q: Could you briefly explain your role, involvement and experience with regards to this conference?
Richard Cook (RC): I am an academic at the University of Southampton within the National Centre for Advanced Tribology. My research background is in the characterisation of biological tissues and biomaterials, encompassing mechanical, tribological and tribocorrosive performance. Over the last 10 years I have been involved with the performance evaluation and failure analysis of a range of implants which have required retrieval. I am part of the Beyond Compliance Retrieval Alliance. The Alliance aims to identify the causes of any retrieval of newly introduced implants to the market, so as to provide an earlier indication of poorly performing implants.
Q: What are the main challenges facing the industry at the moment and what are the most common issues you hear from colleagues?
RC: The introduction of the new medical device regulation has introduced a new level of patient safety and the conformity assessment requirements have vastly increased. This is putting a significant strain on medical device innovations, particularly for the small and medium-sized enterprises, who represent about 95% of the med-tech companies in Europe.
Q: What key topics are you excited to speak about?
RC: I am excited to be able to talk about implant retrieval analysis and the importance of the information that can be gained. I am also looking forward to highlighting the Beyond Compliance Retrieval Alliance to a wider audience to gather further support for the initiative.
Q: Who else are you most interested in hearing from on the programme?
RC: I am very much looking forward to the sessions on bone implant interfaces, implant materials and wear. The programme has a number of interesting talks about the latest advances both in materials and their testing.
Q: Why is it important for engineers and clinicians to join this conference?
RC: The performance of knee implants or any orthopaedic implant relies on a complex mixture of variables, including but not limited to the patient, the implant and the surgeon. If we are to succeed in making better performing implants we need input from all three, but principally from the engineers and clinicians. This conference provides a forum through which these communities can meet and discuss the advances.
Orthopaedic innovation requires close collaboration between clinicians and engineers. Engineering the Knee 2018 will feature speakers from all aspects of orthopaedic research, including academia, clinicians and industry to address the latest innovations in knee treatment and therapy. Over two days, the unique mix of sessions will serve as a platform for the future development of early and late-stage interventions in the knee. To book your place, please visit www.imeche.org/knee.