Institution news
Q: Could you briefly explain your role, involvement and experience with regards to this conference?
Justin Cobb (JC): I am one of the keynote speakers at the Engineering the Knee conference, having attended the Institution’s events for many years.
Q: What are the main challenges facing the industry at the moment and what are the most common issues you hear from colleagues?
JC: In the knee, we are still waiting for an industrial revolution, similar to the cataract revolution, where technology transformed a long and difficult procedure into a very quick one. While hip replacement is a relatively cheap and effective procedure, knee replacement is more expensive and less effective. The numbers of people with bad knees is increasing steadily, but we have neither reduced the cost nor improved the product. An industrial revolution is needed.
Q: What key topics are you excited to speak about?
JC: I am excited to talk about how science and technology is going to transform the replacement of sore knees, from being expensive, dangerous and of limited effectiveness into a better value, safer and more effective intervention.
Q: Is there anything you have seen recently in the news that will be covered in the programme?
JC: Yes, the recent opening of the Sir Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering hub.
Q: What developments are you most interested in for the future and why?
JC: In science terms, machine learning will transform the bigoted and biased world of clinical diagnoses, allowing patients to access objective data for themselves.
In technology, the additive manufacturing world will deliver the next generation of devices that are fit for purpose for each person as an individual, with a particular lifetimes needs.
In the regulatory affairs world, a major revolution is needed – the barrier to innovation right now benefits the ‘old way’ of doing things, preventing innovation and stifling invention.
Want to hear more?
Orthopaedic innovation requires close collaboration between clinicians and engineers. The Engineering the Knee conference, which takes place from 10-11 December, 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.