Medical Device Link.

Two new events dedicated to the rapidly expanding orthopaedic manufacturing sector will be introduced by Canon Communications LLC next year. The OrthoTec Conference & Exhibition (www.orthoteceu.com) will debut in Europe on 29–30 September 2010 at the Mövenpick Hotel Zürich-Regensdorf in Switzerland. The companion US event (www.orthotec.com) is scheduled for 12–13 May 2010 at the Orthopaedic Capital Center in Warsaw, Indiana. Both events will comprise a conference and exhibition offering strategic and technical information.

“The OrthoTec conferences will focus on design and collaborative product development between orthopaedic surgeons and R&D directors from orthopaedic device manufacturers, as well as technical sessions on best manufacturing and quality practices,” says Kevin O’Keefe, Senior Vice President of Canon’s Events Division. “The events’ exhibitions will feature the world’s top suppliers to the orthopaedic manufacturing sector.”

The growth of the orthopaedic market, which is currently valued at US$40 billion worldwide, is illustrated by the fact that the number of hip and knee replacements has doubled in recent years. It is expected to double again by 2016, according to a recent report by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The spinal implant and fracture repair devices sectors are expected to continue to expand at a steady clip, attaining an annual growth rate of more than 15%.

“The strong growth of the orthopaedic sector, and for that matter the entire medical device market, comes as no surprise considering the demand statistics,” notes Canon CEO Charles McCurdy. “For example, 41% of all Americans are now over the age of 45, and in the EU, there are more than 90 million people older than 65. Companies supplying products and services for the orthopaedic sector and the overall medical device manufacturing market certainly have bright prospects,” says McCurdy.