Nominations for MedTech Awards 2017 closing soon

MTAA invites the Australian Medical Technology industry to participate in the 2017 Awards. 

We encourage you to download and complete a nomination form, address the criteria and send your application to secretary@mtaa.org.au by the deadline. Full details on nomination criteria and how to nominate are in the drop down menu of Events on the MTAA website.

Nomination Forms

MedTech2017 Sponsors announced

Register your attendance by Thursday 31st August to receive the early bird discount. View the program to see what MedTech2017 has to offer.
 
Special thanks to our Platinum sponsor – Atkinson Vinden Lawyers, MTPConnect for being the Awards Dinner Sponsor, KWM & Franke Hyland who are sponsoring the Networking Drinks and Maddocks for sponsoring the coffee cart on Day 1 and our exhibitors.
 
There are a few sponsorship and exhibition opportunities remaining, MedTech2017 is a great platform to showcase your company. Please contact Jennifer Ellis, jellis@mtaa.org.au if you would like to view the prospectus.

NEW MTAA Operating Theatre Protocols & Code Training course dates added

Due to recent sell outs and popular demand, additional course dates for the Introduction to Operating Theatre Protocols has been added to the calendar and are open for registrations.

 
Our Complying with the Code of Practice course in September has sold out. A new course has been scheduled on November 21st and is open now for registrations.

 
You can view our entire training library and course dates on our website. If you need assistance with registrations and bookings, please contact our Professional Development Manager Lee Grow at pd@mtaa.org.au.

3D Printing of implantable medical devices

On August 10th 2017 the TGA held a workshop titled Regulatory considerations for additive manufacturing (3D printing) in the medical field.

3D printing is already used in large volume production of devices to a standard design as an alternative to traditional subtractive manufacturing, but this technology is becoming increasingly popular in medicine as a way to overcome patient-specific challenges, in particular in the area of cranial and facial reconstruction and orthopaedic implants.

3D printing has the potential to become a hugely disruptive technology, by enabling the move from large volume production of standard designs to 3D printing of patient-specific devices in hospitals or even at the physician’s own practice.

Secretary of the Department of Health resigns

Mr Martin Bowles has advised Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that he wishes to leave his position as Secretary of the Department of Health on September 1, 2017.

Since coming to the role of Secretary of the Department of Health in 2014, Mr Bowles has played an integral role in changes across the sector including the significant recent reforms to government funding for public hospitals in Australia, which will lead to greater efficiency, safety and quality in the hospital system.

MTAA congratulates Mr Bowles on his professionalism, dedication and significant contribution to the Department of Health and the medical technology industry.

MedTech Industry Briefing – Australian Breast Device Registry

Previous debate on the safety of high-risk implantable breast devices fueled the need for a national registry tracking device performance and patient well-being. The Australian Breast Device Registry (ABDR) led by Monash University, an independent data steward, facilitates real time knowledge to identify possible trends and complications associated with breast devices and surgery. The briefing will be held at MTAA on Thursday, 31 August 2017 4pm-5:30pm AEST.
Register

Standards Australia seminar on standards committees

Standards Australia is seeking expressions of interest from MTAA members on running a seminar (max 2 hrs, at Standards Australia Office in Sydney) where Standards Australia will explain how standards committees work, their involvement in development and influencing outcomes for international standards, adopting national standards and other related matters.

MTAA has an opening on the Standards Australia committee HE-028 Quality Management and Corresponding General Aspects for Medical Devices. This is a great opportunity for a quality expert from the MedTech industry to contribute and influence the outcome of future revisions of AS ISO 13485 standard.

Please send feedback to Val Theisz at vtheisz@mtaa.org.au.

TGA is consulting on changes to Surgical Mesh Devices Regulation

Following a decision by the European Commission to implement a number of medical device reforms, including to up-classify all surgical mesh medical devices (such as gynaecological mesh) to Class III and to provide patient implant cards and consumer product information for all implantable medical devices, the TGA is looking at undertaking the same measures.

This action is in line with a decision by the Australian Government in September 2016 on the Expert Review of Medicines and Medical Devices Regulation. One of the recommendations was to align, wherever possible, the Australian regulatory framework with the European Commission in respect of the Classification of medical devices.

Blockchain in Healthcare Summit

Blockchain technology has the potential to transform the way we store and share data and the health industry may be one of the industries that benefits most from this technology. The Blockchain in Healthcare Summit is a great opportunity to network with and learn from the best-of-the-best in blockchain.

With case studies from the Estonian eHealth Foundation and the University of Melbourne, the Blockchain in Healthcare Summit is going to be unmissable.

Early Bird prices are available up until 8 September, so book before then to save up to $400. 

Code for you MTAA members to receive 10% off MTAA_10

Medical Devices Sponsor Information Day

MTAA is supporting the Medical Devices Sponsor Information Day: Understanding the Regulatory Framework.  The event will be held on Wednesday, 11 October 2017, 9am-5:30pm at the Hellenic Club of Canberra, ACT.

MTAA will be represented by George Faithfull, Rebecca Gaudin & Elizabeth Van Den Akker.

Invitation to join Australian MedTech delegation to the US

MTPConnect is inviting Australian MedTech companies to join a delegation to The MedTech Conference—September 25 – 27, 2017 in San Jose, California—to showcase our outstanding innovative technology and build invaluable inroads into international markets.