Upcoming conferences ( 3)

Swiss Society of Biomedical Enginnering (SSBE) annual meeting 2007 . (CSEM Neuchatel,Switzerland) ,september 13th and 14th. Deadline for abstracts: June 12th.

more information : http://www.ssbe.ch/2007_Meeting/

Complex biomedical devices; combining Pharma & medical technology

In the past, there used to be a quite distinct cut between medical devices and pharmaceutical products and intersection of devices and drugs occurred only at use. Examples of these kinds of medical devices are PCA pumps and imaging agents.

However, nowadays Drugs are added to devices to add value to medical devices and improve their function and efficiency. Moreover, sophisticated drug delivery systems integrate drugs and devices. We can mention transformal patches, coated catheters and drug eluting stents as some examples.

It is not really clearer if a combination of device-drug should be classified as a medical device or a pharmaceutical product. This becomes extremely important when it comes to regulatory affaires. Currently regulatory systems for pharmaceutical products and biomedical devices are totally different and not always really easy to handle for companies. Mostly this classification is claimed by the company and challenged by authorities. However, that may not end to a same classification in all the regions of the world. These kinds of Complex devices may be accepted in one region as a pharmaceutical product and in the other one as a biomedical device requiring two completely different procedure in the view of clinical trial and regulatory procedures. The problem may be much more important when it comes to devices combined with stem cells, tissue engineered materials and so on.

Deep Brain Stimulation

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), is currently used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and other complex movement disorders and affective syndromes.
This process requires using different mechanical devices as well as image processing methods and micro drive mechanisms. Medtronics is one of the companies offering a solution for this intervention process. Take a look at their device Activa:
http://www.medtronic.com/physician/activa/

Physiome Project

Have you already heard of the Physiome Project? This is an idea to '' provide a computational framework for understanding human and other eukaryotic physiology. It aims to develop integrative models at all levels of biological organisation, from genes to the whole organism via gene regulatory networks, protein pathways, integrative cell function, and tissue and whole organ structure/function relations. ''

Although their website may not seem very interesting at the first look, you can find a lot of useful information in the ''Roadmap'' or through the review articles that you can find on the homepage. Take a look at it! The idea is great and they have some useful tools and databases to use as well. ENJOY!