INDUSTRY NEWS
Conference Considers Revisions to the Medical Devices Directive
A conference scheduled for 29–31 January at the Courtyard Marriott in Brussels, Belgium, will examine forthcoming amendments to the Medical Devices Directive in 2007. Topics to be considered at the conference include medical device classification, conformity assessment procedures, and postmarket surveillance. The conference also will assess how revision of clinical data and evaluation requirements will affect medical device production cycles.
For more information, contact Informa UK Ltd., Bookings Department, P.O. Box 406, Byfleet KT14 6WL, Surrey, UK; phone: +44 20 70177481; fax: +44 20 70177823; Internet: www.informa-ls.com/mddrevisions.
International Trade Fair for Sealing and Polymer Technologies Announced
The ISGATEC trade fair is an international event dedicated to sealing and adhesive technology. Held in Nuremberg, Germany, on 27–29 March, the show also will offer advanced training on sealing technology, included in the admission price. POWTECH (an international trade fair for mechanical processing technologies and instrumentation) and the International Trade Fair for Life Science Process Technologies will be held concurrently with the event.
For more information, contact ISGATEC GmbH, Hans-Thoma-Str. 49–51, 68163 Mannheim, Germany; phone: +49 621 71768880; fax: +49 621 71768888; e-mail: info@isgatec.com; Internet: www.isgatec.com.
University of Leeds Hosts Nonwovens Conference
The third annual Nonwovens Research Academy will take place in Leeds, UK, on 29 and 30 March. Open to R&D professionals and students, the conference will cover a variety of research areas relating to nonwovens science and technology.
The event is hosted by the University of Leeds with the partnership of the Nonwovens Research Group of Leeds.
For more information, contact EDANA, Avenue Eugène Plasky 157, B-1030 Brussels, Belgium; phone: +32 2 7349310; fax: +32 2 7333518; e-mail: info@edana.org; Internet: www.edana.org.
Brussels Conference Addresses European Chemicals Policy
A conference will analyze new European legislation regarding the registration, evaluation, and authorization of chemicals. Expected to go into effect on 1 June, the regulation for the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals (REACH) will apply to all EU member states.
In light of the new regulation, the conference will address challenges involved with manufacturing and trading products containing chemicals.
The event will take place from 17–19 April at the Marriott Hotel in Brussels.
For more information, contact Rapra Technology Ltd., Shawbury, Shrewsbury, Shropshire SY4 4NR, UK; phone: +44 1939 250383; fax: +44 1939 252416; e-mail: conferences@rapra.net; Internet: www.rapra.net.
Workshop Examines Device Joining and Surface Modification
A workshop scheduled for 14 March in Birmingham, UK, will bring together academics, clinicians, and industry representatives to explore medical device applications of new joining and surface modification technologies. The workshop will highlight new generations of medical polymers, recent developments in laser joining technology, and the use of surface modification to improve polymer biocompatibility. On the microtechnology front, topics will include the work of the Healthy Aims project in developing advanced medical sensors and implants, shape-memory alloy joining, and new methods of assessing medical device reliability. The event also will scrutinize polymer-based biomaterials and the use of microtechnology for implanting active sensing and electronic devices for disease treatment and diagnostics.
Representatives from GE Plastics, TWI, and Lumonics are scheduled to make presentations that will be followed by sessions assessing the commercial prospects of new joining technologies.
For more information, contact Medilink West Midlands Ltd., 5 Greenfield Crescent, Edgbaston, B15 3BE W Midlands, UK; phone: +44 121 4525630; fax: +44 121 454 2325; e-mail: info@medilinkwm.co.uk; Internet: www.medilinkwm.co.uk/events.
Conference Examines Medical Moulding and Extrusion
Medical Moulding and Extrusion 2007 is scheduled to take place on 24–26 April at the Maritim Hotel in Cologne, Germany. The conference is designed to give medical device supply-chain professionals the opportunity to discuss technical and commercial issues facing the industry.
Starting with an evening cocktail reception, the conference will be followed by a two-day programme of presentations. Topics to be discussed at the conference include cleanroom manufacturing, biocompatible materials, transparent polymers, medical extrusion and injection moulding, and the use of polymers as metal replacements.
For more information, contact Maud Lassara at Applied Market Information Ltd., 45–47 Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3QP, UK; phone: +44 117 9249442; fax: +44 117 3111511; e-mail: ml@amiplastics.com; Internet: www.plasticsconferences.com.
Symposium on Polymeric Materials to Be Held in Québec
The Industrial Materials Institute of the National Research Council of Canada and the Québec Materials Network have announced the International Symposium on Polymeric Materials for Regenerative Medicine. The symposium will bring together international scientists involved in polymeric materials development for applications in regenerative medicine. The event will be held at the Industrial Materials Institute in Boucherville, QC, Canada, on 2–4 April.
For more information, contact International Symposium on Polymeric Materials for Regenerative Medicine, 75, de Mortagne Boulevard, Boucherville, QC, Canada; phone: +1 450 6415238; fax: +1 450 6415105; e-mail: sylvie.lamontagne@cnrc-nrc.gc.ca; Internet: www.pmrm.ca.
