Innovation in Medical Devices - From Starships to Biomicroelectronics to Cure Blindness

Ann Arbor, MI, January 28, 2016 --(PR.com)-- CIMdata, Inc., the leading global PLM strategic management consulting and research firm announces that Damien C. Rodger, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Southern California (USC) and Visiting Associate in Medical Engineering at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), will kick-off PLM Road Map™ for the High Tech and Medical Device industries with a keynote presentation that will share recent innovative research into the use of parylene C, a USP class VI biocompatible polymer, as a structural material for biomedical devices.

Parylene C has been used for decades as a coating in biomedical devices however, recent research has focused on its use as a structural material for medical devices and not just as a coating. The goal has been to apply parylene to the field of ophthalmology, first as an ideal material for high-density retinal stimulation electrode arrays and radiofrequency power and data coils, as well as a packaging material, for intraocular retinal prostheses. Parylene has also been used as the main structural material for intraocular pressure sensors, glaucoma drainage devices, drug delivery devices, and now as a substrate for retinal pigment epithelium for the treatment of blinding eye diseases.

In his keynote address, "Innovation in Medical Devices - From Starships to Biomicroelectronics to Cure Blindness,” Dr. Rodger will share his experiences on transforming these ideas from the design stage into microfabrication runs to testing. The presentation will additionally focus on the intellectual property and technology transfer process with a drive towards commercialization in the highly competitive academic setting.

While completing his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering at Cornell University Dr. Rodger worked as a co-op intern at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory on microsystems for unmanned space exploration. Dr. Rodger then earned his MD from the Keck School of Medicine at USC and his PhD in bioengineering from Caltech. He then completed his residency in ophthalmology at the USC Eye Institute/LAC+USC program and his fellowship in Vitreoretinal Diseases and Surgery at the USC Eye Institute for which he was awarded the prestigious Heed Foundation Fellowship and the Ronald G. Michels Fellowship in Vitreoretinal Surgery. Dr. Rodger is currently an Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at USC in the vitreoretinal surgery and uveitis departments, and is a Visiting Associate in Medical Engineering at Caltech. Dr. Rodger has conducted groundbreaking research on the design, fabrication, and testing of high density microtechnologies for retinal and spinal cord prostheses and other novel bioMEMS for intraocular pressure reduction and monitoring, with a focus on parylene-based microelectronics. Dr. Rodger has written more than 40 journal and refereed conference proceeding publications and has been granted more than 20 patents.

PLM Road Map 2016 for the High Tech and Medical Device Industries is the must-attend event for high tech, medical device, and PLM practitioners globally - providing independent education and a collaborative networking environment where ideas, trends, experiences, and relationships critical to the industry germinate and take root. This one-day event will be held on May 24 at The Biltmore Inn & Suites in Santa Clara, California.

For more information visit: http://www.cimdata.com/en/education/plm-conferences/2016-plmrm-htm