Integrated
Research Team (IRT) Meeting
“Nanotechnology Solutions for Long-term Implantable Devices”
October 23-25, 2007
Welcome
Message From the Chairmen:
On
behalf of COL Karl Friedl, Director, Telemedicine and Advanced
Technology Research Center (TATRC), we would like to welcome
you to the Integrated Research Team (IRT) on "Glucose
Detection; Nanotechnology Solutions for Long-Term Implantable
Devices". An IRT is a formal process of strategic planning
for investment of research dollars. An IRT includes DOD
representatives from communities as diverse as materiel
and device acquisition, combat and doctrinal development,
as well as end-users, and developers from academia and industry.
TATRC has used the IRT process to good advantage for management
of funds for our medical simulation, imaging, and Operating
Room of the Future (ORF) research portfolios.
This
IRT focuses on the development of implantable biosensors,
which remains problematic due to the lack of appropriate
sensors, biomaterials and biocoatings. The emergence of
nanotechnology, the capability to build materials at the
nanoscale, holds the promise of constructing new biosensors,
materials and coatings that can function effectively within
the body. Significant research questions remain with respect
to cost, outcomes (benefit), evidence-based practice guidelines,
safety, form factor, functionality and integration into
patient care. By addressing these and related issues, IRT
participants will work with TATRC to develop a strategy
for creating a medical research and development portfolio
dedicated to advancing the design of long-term implantable
devices, novel biomaterials and state-of-the-art implantable
glucose sensors that are modular in concept and multifunctional/multi-procedural
in capability for implementation across the spectrum of
health care. As is often the case, this effort will drive
the continued development of these technologies in the civilian
sector as well.
As
one looks around the room, one might ask, "Why is that
person here?" or "Why isn't someone else here?"
The roster of our attendees does not intend to exhaust every
area of expertise related to nanotechnology and nanomedicine.
Unfortunately, not everyone we invited was able to attend.
We have sought representation from various groups sufficient
to allow intelligent deliberation of long-term implantable
biosensors, biomaterials, biocoatings and the host's response
to the devices, in order to develop a research and development
road map and investment strategy that we can use for management
purposes and that we can present to our leadership in order
to engender their support. Also, we have learned through
our experiences that size does matter: when the overall
group exceeds 65-70 participants, and workgroups exceed
15 members, the quality of the IRT begins to suffer.
The
format of the IRT has changed over the years to allow continued
application of lessons learned. The present IRT will begin
with researchers describing the current state of the field,
to include strengths and weaknesses as well as the immunological
impact of implantable devices to the host. This afternoon
we will hear from researchers who will identify issues that
they believe need to be addressed for glucose sensors in
the next five years. Indeed, the road map that we will construct
will follow a five-year timeline. Participants should consider
what is presented in the context of this timeline and more
specifically, should begin to determine what could be accomplished
in 3 - 5 years, and 5+ years. The second morning will be
dedicated to biomaterials and biocoatings to allow further
development of long-term implantable devices. The later
afternoon will be dedicated to the workgroups, wherein specific
topic areas will be addressed in the aforementioned context.
The third morning will continue with the workgroups and
end with the closeout session designed for government attendees
and group leaders to synthesize the roadmap, a draft of
which will be presented to the attendees at the end of the
session.
We
would like to express our gratitude to Dr. Mauro Ferrari
and the Alliance for NanoHealth, here at the University
of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston.
We
wish you all a productive and rewarding IRT and believe
that you will depart having accomplished a great deal in
addition to the development of a feasible R&D roadmap.
Thank
You,
Warren
Grundfest, M.D., Ph.D.,
Senior Clinical Advisor, Meeting Chairman
U.S. Army Medical Research & Materiel Command (USAMRMC)
Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC)
Professor, Dept. of Bioengineering, Electrical Engineering,
Dept. of Surgery
University of California, Los Angeles UCLA
Mauro
Ferrari, Ph.D.
Chairman, Dept. of Biomedical Engineering
University of Texas, Houston
President, Alliance for NanoHealth, Houston
Professor & Director, Center for NanoMedicine
Brown Institute of Molecular Medicine
And
the I.R.T. Planning Committee
If
you have any questions please contact: The Marketing Director
Last Updated: December 2007
