Liquid Crystal Elastomers for a Dissipative Spinal Disc Replacement Device by Dr. Ross Volpe, Impressio Tech
Webinar
Liquid Crystal Elastomers for a Dissipative Spinal Disc Replacement Device
Ross Volpe, Ph.D.
Principal Scientist
Impressio Tech
Wednesday, May 19, Webinar at 6:30 PM Pacific time
Abstract:
Nearly every person over 60 years old experiences degenerative disc disease, a condition characterized by pain due to intervertebral disc deterioration. When surgical treatment is required, spinal fusion has begun to lose attractiveness due to long-term complications. Over the past two decades, motion-sparing disc replacement devices have gained acceptance. A new generation of disc replacements incorporates a viscoelastic polymer core to restore motion to the spine. However, currently available products still do not address short- and long-term issues such as adjacent level disease. Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are unique materials that mimic natural tissue and have similar properties to our intervertebral discs: soft, highly dissipative, and mechanically anisotropic. Traditional elastomers cannot achieve this combination of properties. The unique building blocks of LCEs, called mesogens, are rod-shaped molecules that naturally assemble into pockets of oriented domains. We have developed 3D printing and other processing techniques to direct the assembly of mesogens in LCE to enhance its tissue-mimicking properties.
Impressio is developing a disc replacement device with an LCE core to restore functionality to the spine. We have integrated the LCE core with 3D printed titanium endplates and demonstrated a robust connection between the two materials. Recently, we have built prototypes to match the natural disc's compressive, shear, and torsional properties. Using advanced manufacturing, including multiple additive technologies, we accelerate R&D workflows, advancing from concept to prototype in about ten days. We will present our recent findings and outline our next steps to commercialize the LCE disc replacement device.
Speaker Background:
Ross Volpe has degrees in Bioprocess Engineering (BS, SUNY ESF), Biomedical Engineering (MS, CU Anschutz) and Mechanical Engineering (PhD, CU Denver). His research interests have evolved from engineering plastic-producing cells, to using synthetic polymers in orthopedic implants that address clinical challenges. At University of Colorado, he developed materials for 3D printing biomedical devices in collaboration with surgeons, engineers, and material scientists. Now as Principal Scientist at Impressio Tech, he specializes in developing biomaterials for orthopedic and arthroplasty implants. His primary areas of interest are medical device design, commercialization of healthcare technologies, and materials science engineering. Before joining Impressio Tech, Ross has previously worked as a mechanical engineer designing and clearing medical devices through the FDA. Additionally, he has several years of experience at CU Innovations, working with inventors and licensing professionals to enable translational research at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.
EVENT DATE: Wednesday, May 19
Registration deadline: Monday, May 17, 1:00 PM.
Registration may close earlier than the nominal deadline if capacity is reached.
This event will be FREE OF CHARGE, but we still require you to fill out the registration form. In particular, we need to have your name and email address for you to be able to participate. Please provide affiliation also if you can, as t helps us judge audience interests.
If you can spare a small amount, GGPF requests an optional donation of $5 (or more) but this is not required to register and attend the webinar.
To register for free, use the pull-down toggle to select "All registrants ($0.00)" choice.
To donate, use the pull down toggle to select "GGPF donation ($5.00)". This will direct you to a link where you can use PayPal or any credit or debit card. For larger donations, use the "Donate to GGPF" link on the front page GGPF.org
Webinar Timing: Webinar Time 6:30 PM.
(Zoom meeting room will open earlier)
Attendees who complete the registration form will receive information by email for how to participate. It is requested that people join the meeting invitation well before 6:00 to avoid delays.
Registrants will receive the information needed to join the webinar within a day of the event in an email from “events@ggpf.org” To be certain of seeing the note, please add events@ggpf.org to your safe mail senders list, and/or look in your spam, updates, or other mailbox locations in addition to your primary In Box.
Please register on the web page.
You should receive email confirmation of your registration; if not, please contact us again.
Do not reply to email from events@ggpf.org
For questions or other assistance, contact:
Eveleen Tang
etang@intersectent.com
Attendees will be added to the GGPF email announcements list unless they request otherwise.
LOCATION:
Anywhere you want, or anywhere you are busy socially distancing, sheltering in place, working, or waiting it all out. Good luck!
Price: $0.00
Date: May 19, 2021
Available Spaces: 876
Bolt Threads: From Recombinant Silk to Mycelium Leather by Dr. David Breslauer, A joint event with SVACS
Webinar
Bolt Threads: From Recombinant Silk to Mycelium Leather
David Breslauer, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer and Co-Founder
Bolt Threads
Wednesday, June 9, Webinar at 6:30 PM Pacific time
Abstract:
Bolt Threads is a material solutions company. Taking nature as our inspiration, we invent and scale cutting-edge materials that put us on a path towards a more sustainable future. Bolt was founded on technology to produce recombinant spider silk fibers for apparel, Microsilk(TM), and has since broadened its product portfolio to include Mylo(TM), a mycelium-based leather alternative, and B-silk(TM), a spider silk protein-based personal care ingredient. This seminar will explore the history and evolution of Bolt and its material offerings, as well as other opportunities to use nature to recreate our current materials in a more sustainable way.
Speaker Background:
David Breslauer, PhD, is the Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Bolt Threads, a biomaterials company delivering sustainable products for consumer apparel and personal care. David leads technology innovation at Bolt, creating and incubating biomaterials for improved consumer products. His passion for biomaterials began with graduate research on spider silk during his 2010 Bioengineering Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and UCSF. He earned a B.S. in Bioengineering from UC San Diego in 2005.
EVENT DATE: Wednesday, June 9
Registration deadline: Monday, June 7, 1:00 PM.
Registration may close earlier than the nominal deadline if capacity is reached.
This event will be FREE OF CHARGE, but we still require you to fill out the registration form. In particular, we need to have your name and email address for you to be able to participate. Please provide affiliation also if you can, as t helps us judge audience interests.
If you can spare a small amount, GGPF requests an optional donation of $5 (or more) but this is not required to register and attend the webinar.
To register for free, use the pull-down toggle to select "All registrants ($0.00)" choice.
To donate, use the pull down toggle to select "GGPF donation ($5.00)". This will direct you to a link where you can use PayPal or any credit or debit card. For larger donations, use the "Donate to GGPF" link on the front page GGPF.org
Webinar Timing: Webinar Time 6:30 PM.
(Zoom meeting room will open earlier)
Attendees who complete the registration form will receive information by email for how to participate. It is requested that people join the meeting invitation well before 6:30 to avoid delays.
Registrants will receive the information needed to join the webinar within a day of the event in an email from “events@ggpf.org” To be certain of seeing the note, please add events@ggpf.org to your safe mail senders list, and/or look in your spam, updates, or other mailbox locations in addition to your primary In Box.
Please register on the web page.
You should receive email confirmation of your registration; if not, please contact us again.
Do not reply to email from events@ggpf.org
For questions or other assistance, contact:
Len Radzilowski
lradzilo@te.com
650-361-3264
Attendees will be added to the GGPF email announcements list unless they request otherwise.
LOCATION:
Anywhere you want, or anywhere you are busy socially distancing, sheltering in place, working, or waiting it all out. Good luck!
Price: $5.00
Date: June 9, 2021
Available Spaces: 959
