Newswise — CIMIT is staging its annual Innovation Congress Oct. 28-29 in Boston, with top keynote speakers, in-depth discussions about cutting-edge medical issues and close to 80 demonstrations of innovative medical devices and clinical systems.
Almost 600 doctors, researchers, scientists, military leaders, business executives, public policy makers and students will participate. About 64 percent of the attendees are new to the Congress this year.
The theme of the conference is "Forging Partnerships in Healthcare: Academia, Government & Industry." Close to 146 companies are represented, and 74 academic faculty members are taking active roles as presenters and panelists. Three-fourths of the technology exhibits have originated at academic institutions.
"We are celebrating our 10th year in operation and I am very pleased with the high level of discussion and demonstrations that we are offering," said CIMIT Executive Director John Parrish, MD. "We have assembled a world-class gathering of those interested in fostering innovation in medical technology."
Keynote speakers are Elias Zerhouni, MD, director, National Institutes of Health; James Peake, MD, U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs; Stephen Oesterle, MD, Senior VP, Medicine & Technology, Medtronic Inc.; Thomas Miller, CEO, Workflow and Solutions, Siemens Healthcare; and Maj. Gen. George Weightman, Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command.
Innovative technology at the hands-on Exploratorium includes a facsimile of new neo-natal intensive care unit; a demonstration of an imaging suite that provides the newest techniques in image guidance; and an exhibit of "care beyond the walls" that relates to new techniques of delivering health care at home and in community centers to support seniors, rehabilitating solders and caregivers at home. There is also an extensive exhibit of "cool stuff for old people," a demonstration of improved tools and techniques for seniors that includes a display of new electronics that will update the traditional use of canes, walkers, wheelchairs and hearing aids.
CIMIT's exhibit titled the Power of Virtual Experience (PoVE), demonstrates how cutting edge video games and virtual environments are changing the practice of medicine. Areas of focus include Simulation and Team Training, Education and Behavior Modification, and Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation.
A poster contest for students and post-grads drew more than 40 entries, with honorariums of $1,500, $1,000 and $500 going to the most compelling entries.
CIMIT is the Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology. A non-profit consortium of Boston-area teaching hospitals and engineering schools, CIMIT provides innovators with resources to explore, develop and implement novel technological solutions for today's most urgent healthcare problems.
Members of the consortium are Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Medical Center, Boston University, Brigham and Women's Hospital, the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Partners HealthCare and VA Boston Healthcare System.
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