BRITE/EURAM workshop on biomaterials and medical devices

The first BRITE/EURAM workshop on biomaterials and medical devices will take place on 10-14 September 1994 in Pisa, Italy, during the 11th European Conference on Biomaterials.

The workshop will include the presentation of the results of research funded by the BRITE/EURAM programme. Of the 1,000 projects financed under previous and current BRITE/EURAM programmes, 42 concern biomaterials and medical devices. The aims of the BRITE/EURAM biomaterials area are to:

- Develop new biomaterials for application as orthopaedic and dental implants, soft tissue and body fluid replacements;
- Develop technologies for cost-effective operations for item manufacturing, clinical procedures and rehabilitation systems.

The projects to be presented during the workshop cover all the major materials and technologies used in medical devices, such as:

- Surface treatment;
- Bio-degradable polymers;
- Bio-artificial materials;
- Surgical tools and materials;
- The study of tissue materials interaction.

The workshop will conclude with a forum entitled "Modifying existing materials to develop novel biomaterials: Which is the best approach for improving the long-term integration of implanted devices while complying with the new regulatory and healthcare schemes?"

In addition to the BRITE/EURAM presentation, projects from other Community-funded or supported programmes dealing with technologies for medical devices, such as AIM, ESPRIT, BIOMED and EUREKA, will also be presented in order to provide a better understanding of EC-funded research programmes and to identify possible synergies between ongoing projects.
For further information please contact:

European Commission
Dr. Giorgio Clarotti
DG XII/C-2
200 rue de la Loi
B-1049
Tel. +32-2-2965894; Fax +32-2-2960550