Description:

“Shape Memory and Other Functional Polymers for Biomedical Applications: From Benchtop to Startup”

Prof. Robin Shandras
Professor & Chair Dept. of Bioengineering, and School of Medicine
University of Colorado, Denver

Abstract
Over the last 8 years, our research group has focused on developing thermo-sensitive shape memory polymers (SMP) as base materials for next-generation minimally invasive medical devices. This work has resulted in a family of acrylate-based SMP systems that have found utility in a variety of clinical applications, ranging from orthopedics to cardiovascular to ophthalmology to gastrointestinal, and has generated subsequent development through the formation of start-up companies.

I will provide here an overview of our approach, and the design, manufacturing, and regulatory challenges that have to be overcome to bring a new material into the medical device market. In addition, I will discuss recent work focused on generating additional functionalities into the base SMP system, including increasing material modulus substantially through the incorporation of composite materials and enhancing medical imaging of the material through incorporation of functional groups and nanoparticles. I will end with an introduction to a few new polymer technologies currently under development.

Speaker Background

Dr. Shandas is Professor and Founding Chairman of the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Colorado Denver and the University of Colorado School of Medicine, with joint appointments at The Children’s Hospital of Colorado in Pediatric Cardiology and the Department of Surgery. His primary research interests focus on application of bioengineering principles and techniques to the development of novel diagnostics and treatments in heart disease, with particular focus on pediatric pulmonary hypertension. He also leads an active technology development effort around novel materials for biomedical devices. A firm believer in translational bioengineering, he has also started up 6 companies in areas ranging from new shape memory polymer materials for medical devices (the focus of this talk) to next-generation ultrasound imaging techniques.

Date:

Thursday, October 9

Location:

Michael's Restaurant at Shoreline Park
2960 N. Shoreline Park
Mountain View, CA 94043

Directions

Map

Timing:

6 PM social hour
7 PM dinner
8 PM lecture

Cost:

	Employed/postdoc	Student/unemployed/retired
Early Registration	$30	$15
Registration	$35	$20
Walk-in (not guaranteed)	$40	$25

Lecture-only is free.

 

Payment:

We accept cash or checks at the door, or online payment via credit card. No-shows are responsible for full payment of registration fee.

Registration:

Please register on the web page https://ggpf.mystagingwebsite.com/ or contact:

Len Radzilowski
email: lradzilo@te.com
phone:650-361-3264

Deadline for registration:

11:59PM, Wednesday, October 1 for early registration discount.
5PM, Wednesday, October 8 for regular registration.

Dinner Selection:

Seafood - Broiled salmon with lemon beurre blanc
Chicken - Breast of chicken with portobello mushrooms
Vegetarian - Eggplant parmagiana

You should receive confirmation of your registration; if not, please contact us again.