Flinders at Tonsley was a hive of activity last month with a number of high level dignitaries visiting the Medical Device Research Institute (MDRI) and other activities occurring;
9 May 2016:
The Medical Device Research Institute (MDRI) hosted a Finnish Health Tech Business Delegation, involving a tour of facilities and a number of meetings throughout the day.
The Ambassador of Finland to Australia, HE Mr Pasi Patokallio, accompanied the Delegation, as well as the Deputy Head of Mission, Mr Antti Niemela, and the Vice President of Finpro India and Asia-Pacific. The delegation includes representatives from Fastroi, HappyOrNot, Jamix (techef), MediXine, Merivarra, Revenio Group and VTT, looking to build partnerships and find opportunities to collaborate with the MDRI.
As part of the program, delegates met with the University’s Medical Device Research Institute, New Venture Institute, Australian Industrial Transformation Institute and the University’s new Chair Digital Health Systems.
9 May 2016:
The Institute’s Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP) held their quarterly networking event from 3-5pm. Involving over 75 people, the event included a presentation by Frost & Sullivan ‘Establishing a Sustainable Telehealth Business Model in Australia’, followed by a panel session to specifically discuss ‘Ageing and Technology’.
The panel session included three members from a Finnish Health Tech Business Delegation (Johan Plomp, VTT; Risto Jalovaara, Fastroi; Shane Hage, Revenio Group/Icare) and three members from South Australia (Anthony Maeder, Flinders University; Sue Gordon, ACH group & Flinders University; Malcolm Pradhan, Alcidion).
Moderated by Antti Niemelä, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Finland in Canberra, the panel provided an opportunity for discussion on the topic of ‘Ageing and Technology’ – specifically to raise and discuss the challenges faced in Finland (fastest growing population in the World) and South Australia and how each region is addressing these.
10-11 May:
AusMedtech Conference 2016
The MDRI hosted a tour of facilities for approx. 50 delegates as part of the proceedings of the AusMedtech Conference in Adelaide on 10th May.
The Medical Device Partnering Program (MDPP) also had a stand at the 2-day AusMedtech Conference, allowing for further engagement with the national audience.
13 May: Visitors from Dresden
The MDRI was pleased to show Dr Gregor Muller and Mr Felix Klee from Technische Universität Dresden around some of our labs on Friday 13th May. Arranged by Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, the visit was a great opportunity to showcase some of our capabilities and research projects.
New Professor of Digital Health Systems joins Flinders
Australia’s first Chair in Digital Health Systems says he will make South Australia a world leader in healthcare innovation by spearheading Flinders University research into a mind boggling array of smart and interactive technologies.
Professor Anthony Maeder, whose position is supported by a South Australian Government Premier’s Research and Industry Fund will co-direct a new research centre at Flinders focused on digital health, working closely with the Medical Device Research Institute (MDRI).
MDRI Director, Professor Karen Reynolds, said Professor Maeder’s internationally acknowledged expertise in health informatics and background in software engineering would be a tremendous addition to Flinders’ existing programs and activities
Read full story here – http://blogs.flinders.edu.au/flinders-news/2016/05/16/digital-health-chair-plans-new-wave-of-innovation-for-sa/
23 May: 3MT competition
MDRI student members, Shelda Sajeev (1st place) and Mark Gardner (runner-up) in School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. Shelda and Mark will now represent the School at the Faculty of Science and Engineering level.
24 May: His Excellency the Honourable Hieu Van Le
MDRI member David Hobbs was part of a small delegation to host a visit by His Excellency Hieu Van Le AO, Governor of South Australia on 24 May. Together with Professor Colin Stirling, Professor John Roddick, Ms Callista Thillou and Mr Matt Salier from Flinders University, David was invited to provide an overview of the MDRI laboratory and demonstrate some of our research projects to the Govenor.
26 May Eminent International Spine Biomechanics researchers
A/Professor John Costi hosted two eminent International Spine Biomechanics researchers (Prof Achim Wilke from Ulm, Germany and Prof Avinash Patwardhan from Chicago, USA) to the biomechanics & implants lab on 26 May. Both Professors were extremely impressed with the facilities and caliber of research occurring within the biomechanics and implants research group at the MDRI.
26-27 May: Biomechanics in the Barossa
15 Flinders MDRI staff and students attended the Biomechanics in the Barossa meeting on 26-27 May 2016. The meeting included presentations by world leaders in spine biomechanics, as well as orthopaedic/neuro spine surgeons. The focus of the meeting was on clinically relevant biomechanics, as applied to surgical techniques and medical devices used in the spine and disc.
A/Prof John Costi, Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Egon Perilli presented some of their research over the 2-day meeting.
27 May: Arthritis Nurse Call device wins national Good Design Award
A/Professor Sandy Walker and team won a national Good Design Award for their Arthritis Nurse Call device on 27 May (more information can be found here http://blogs.flinders.edu.au/flinders-news/2016/05/31/medical-device-scoops-international-awards/ )
28 May: OrbIT – finalist in the 2016 Design Entrepreneur Awards
The OrbIT gaming system was named a finalist in the 2016 Design Entrepreneur Awards on 28 May. David Hobbs (project lead) travelled over to Sydney to pitch at the event, providing an ideal opportunity to showcase this innovative device.
30 May 2016: Hon. Christian Porter MP – Minister for Social Services
The Hon. Christian Porter MP – Minister for Social Services visited the Medical Device Research Institute on 30th May for a tour of our facilities and introduction to some of our devices developed to assist people with disabilities to live more independently.
31 May 2016: Electronics Industry Development Adelaide (EIDA)
The Electronics Industry Development Adelaide Inc, a forum for electronics professionals, visited the MDRI for a tour of laboratories on 31 May 2016. Approx. 30 attendees toured our facilities followed by networking event with some of our researchers.