Orthopedics has emphasized an understanding of surface properties, as greater attention has been placed on the biological response between patients and implant materials or structures. This focus has led to a new generation of materials employed to facilitate faster healing and better bone integration. During this rapid-fire session, companies will discuss their material platforms, highlighting opportunities and challenges in manufacturing, regulations and new applications.
Matt Poggie, Senior Vice President | Regulatory and Quality, Acuitive Technologies
Matt Poggie is Senior Vice President, Regulatory and Quality at Acuitive Technologies, a young company that is presently developing a new bioresorbable material platform. At Acuitive, Mr. Poggie’s focus is on pre-clinical testing, regulatory strategy and agency interaction. He previously held key positions in R&D at Stryker Orthopaedics and Howmedica, and has contributed to the development and clinical application of numerous orthopedic implant devices and materials technologies.
Richard Tran, Ph.D., Director | Research & Development, Acuitive Technologies
At Acuitive Technologies, Dr. Tran develops bioactive materials to improve the performance of orthopedic implants. He has over 15 years of experience in the design and characterization of biodegradable citrate-based biomaterials with novel crosslinking strategies, adhesive, antimicrobial, fluorescent and chelating properties for cardiac, vascular, neural, gastrointestinal and orthopedic regenerative engineering applications.
Sriram Sankar, Director of R&D, DiFusion Technologies
Mr. Sankar is a biomaterials expert with over 12 years of research experience revolving around preventing orthopedic device-associated complications. Mr. Sankar’s work has focused on osteoimmunology, the study of the relationship between the musculoskeletal system and immune system, and its importance as a criterion for consideration in biomaterial research. Mr. Sankar currently serves as Director of R&D at DiFusion Technologies, he has a Master’s from Clemson University.
Mary Beth Schmidt, Vice President of Research and Development, Hyalex Orthopaedics
Ms. Schmidt is an experienced medical device professional with demonstrated R&D achievement in the orthopaedic industry. She is a strong technical leader skilled in cartilage biomechanics, materials development, mechanical testing, in vivo pre-clinical models and tribology for joint and spinal applications, and a recognized expert in simulator testing approaches to develop unique low friction, low wear bearings for joint arthroplasty implants.
