Medical devices are increasingly investigated in the academic sector with the same rigor present in a commercial setting, thus ensuring that any technology developed has a realistic chance of translating from “research bench to patient bedside” and making a positive impact on patient care.  Within the context of an aging population and an exponential growth in healthcare costs, electromagnetic (EM) therapeutic and diagnostic technologies provide an attractive solution, since they are low cost, non-ionizing, and largely non-invasive. The dielectric properties of healthy and diseased tissues are the foundation for such techniques. Despite the importance of these properties, reported values have been inconsistent, especially for key heterogeneous tissues. This inconsistency results in an unsatisfactory basis for the design and optimization of EM medical technologies, and unacceptable technical risk in the translation process. This talk will discuss the state of the field, including confounders that impact the dielectric measurement of tissues, along with proposed methods for compensating for them. Needs-driven medical devices in development, including for microwave breast cancer detection, ablation of the adrenal gland to treat Conn’s syndrome, and bladder state monitoring, will also be highlighted.

This is event is free, but places are limited. Please register! Refreshments will be served.

Speaker(s): Dr. Emily Porter,

Location:
Room: 603
Bldg: McConnell Engineering Building
McGill University
3480 Rue University
Montreal, Quebec
H3A 0E9