A Tradition of Excellence

A lot of innovation can happen in five years in the orthopedic industry. For the past half decade, the Orthopedic Design & Technology Conference and Exhibition has been a forum to learn about new technology, network with prospective business connections, debate the industry’s opportunities and challenges, and explore the manufacturing partnerships that are at the heart of this dynamic growth sector. This year’s event will be held Sept. 22-23.

The conference returns to the Grand Wayne Convention Center in downtown Fort Wayne, Ind., which has been home to the ODT Expo since its inaugural program in 2006. With more than 400 attendees expected—OEM industry leaders, orthopedic surgeons, hospital leadership, select suppliers and service providers—this year’s installment promises a strong conference agenda, along with multiple networking opportunities on an expansive exhibit floor, which will include live video feeds on the show floor for some of the event’s conference sessions.

The second day of the conference features a broadcast of a live surgery performed by C. Lowry Barnes, M.D., of the St. Vincent Orthopaedic Center of Excellence in Little Rock, Ark. The knee arthroplasty procedure will feature the new Evolution Medial-Pivot Knee System from Wright Medical Technology Inc.

“Often, total knee replacement patients complain that their replaced knee does not feel normal, citing noises or sensation of the joint slipping, especially as they descend stairs,” Barnes said. “The Evolution implant’s more refined medial-pivot design may feel more normal for patients.” According to officials from Arlington, Tenn.-based Wright Medical, the procedure during the ODT Expo will showcase the new knee system’s enhanced instruments, improved sizing options and posterior stabilization.

“The live surgery broadcast will be part of an enhanced experience for attendees that includes robust educational sessions, extensive supplier exhibits and valuable networking opportunities,” commented Howard Revitch, Group Publisher of Orthopedic Design & Technology magazine. “We look forward to celebrating our fifth anniversary as the only true orthopedic manufacturing event in the Fort Wayne/Warsaw area.”

In addition to the surgery, the two-day global event includes general conference sessions and two tracks of breakout sessions (engineering and design, and orthopedic manufacturing strategy).

Notable panel sessions for this year’s conference include discussions about the obstacles startup firms face when entering the orthopedic market as well as reimbursement and pricing pressures. Attendees also will benefit from key engineering-focused presentations, such as“Project Management and Workflow Analysis for Orthopedic Manufacturers—Tactics for Engineers to Improve Efficiency.”

Another don’t-miss session is sponsored by the Institute for Health Technology Studies, or InHealth, a non-profit medical device research group located in Washington, D.C.

Titled “Seeking Value in Orthopedic Implants,” the presentation will be moderated by Steve Halasey, InHealth’s vice president of programs. Halasey will interview Frank A. Sloan, Ph.D., the J. Alexander McMahon professor of health policy and management and professor of economics at Duke University. Audience participation for this session is encouraged.

Along with a strong roster of content, ample networking opportunities will be available, including an exhibitor and attendee reception at the new Parkview Field, which is across the street from the convention center. The field is home of the TinCaps minor league baseball team, Midwest League champions in 2009. In addition to the cocktail reception, the evening’s festivities will include tours of the field.

To take part in the fifth annual Orthopedic Design & Technology Conference and Exhibition or learn more about the agenda, please visit www.odtexpo.com.