This two-day event highlighted emerging technologies being developed by 53 small, mostly privately-held medical technology companies seeking partnering and/or investment. The meeting drew an attendance of over 340 senior executives from the investment community as well as major medical technology, biopharmaceutical, biotech, and other companies.

The forum provided focused overviews by a senior executive from each company, followed by the opportunity to meet one-on-one in private breakout rooms.

The presenting companies included:

Advanced Cochlear Systems, Inc. -- implantable hearing restoration devices including cochlear implant with high-density electrodes and presbycusis treatment system

Affinergy, Inc. -- coatings that mediate functional interactions between biological and synthetic materials with high molecular specificity

ALung Technologies, Inc. -- artificial lung delivers O² and removes CO² through a catheter inserted into the vena cava

Ampac Biotechnology, Inc. -- non-surgical treatment to stabilize spinal discs and resist ongoing degeneration

Andromed, Inc. -- noninvasive Piezo contact acoustic sensor for acquisition and processing of biological acoustic sounds

Angstrom Medica, Inc. -- nanotechnology chemical engineering to develop devices used in orthopedic and spine surgery

Bioheart, Inc. -- cell-based implants, catheters, and electronics for the treatment of heart failure and arrhythmias

Biophan Technologies, Inc. -- MRI contrast agents offering unique diagnostic capabilities

CardioVasc, Inc. -- a small diameter covered stent with a biomimetic surface to promote rapid healing

CeraPedics, LLC -- cell-binding small peptide (P-15) technology platform for cell attachment and bone formation in orthopedics

Chemel AB -- minimally invasive needle biosensor for in vivo glucose or lactate monitoring of intensive care patients

Conexis Biosciences -- tissue repair devices exploiting shear force transfer and large-interface substrates for adherent new tissue formation

Confirma, Inc. -- computer-aided-detection (CAD) systems that enhance the efficiency, workflow, and quality control of medical imaging studies

CrossCart, Inc. -- porcine-derived tissue devices for ligament, cartilage, bone, and soft tissue replacement and augmentation

Cyclotec Advanced Medical Technologies (AMT), Inc. -- miniaturized, wireless remote-controlled pain-blocking TENS devices for drugless pain relief and muscle rehabilitation

Densys, Ltd. -- full mouth, real time, intra-oral 3-D mapping, using regular light - for automation and one-visit dentistry

Dyansys, Inc. -- monitor for autonomic nervous system displaying sympathovagal balance in real-time for diabetes/anesthesia/cardiology applications

ERBLAN Surgical, Inc. -- ERBLAN Surgical Trocar allowing sharp penetration, yet safe blunt entry, into the abdomen

Everest Biomedical Instruments Company -- critical care instruments using advanced signal processing technology

Glucon -- continuous, noninvasive blood glucose monitor based on Photoacoustic sensing technology

GlySens, Inc. -- implanted, unobtrusive glucose sensor system for long-term continuous monitoring of diabetes

Harbinger Medical, Inc. -- system analyzes a patient's susceptibility to cardiac arrest and consequent need for implantable defibrillator

ineedmd, Inc. -- sensor-mounted glove platform that collects vital signs/EKG data for transmission to a PC/PDA/cell phone

Inhaleness, BV -- inhalator (fuel cell) producing warm vapor-carrying gases, liquids or solids to effective deposition area(s)

Inner Vision Imaging, LLC -- cellular level detail of tissues and organs without the necessity to perform biopsies or organ removals

Integrated Endoscopy, Inc. -- single-use rigid endoscopes with superior image quality at a reduced per use cost

Intelligent Medical Devices, LLC -- real-time, noninvasive monitoring of blood loss, anemia, and other vital blood measurements

Intercept Biomedical Technology, Inc. -- advanced biomodulation technology in implantable devices for management of chronic pain, spasticity, and cancer

Interventional Imaging, Inc. -- technology to prevent heart attacks through detection/treatment of vulnerable plaque in the coronary arteries

iSense Corporation -- minimally invasive continuous glucose sensor

Islet Sheet Medical, LLC -- thin sheet bio-artificial insulin delivery device

LifeAssays AB -- point-of-care platform technology (CRP & Cyst C) for assessing risk of cardiovascular disease and renal dysfunction

Microsense, Ltd. -- ultrasound-operated, implantable, passive, miniature sensor for noninvasive, dynamic monitoring of bodily fluids pressure

MINRAD, Inc. -- real-time image-guidance technology with an FDA-accepted accuracy claim of +/-1mm at 1 meter

Monteris Medical, Inc. -- MRI-compatible, precision-guided laser therapy for the treatment of brain tumors

MontreSport Medical, Inc. -- low-cost temperature controller for thermoelectric modules for application in cold therapy

MR Instruments, Inc. -- MRI technology that creates a better image, more applications, lowers costs, and improves patient outcomes

NeoMedix Corporation -- Trabectome, a minimally invasive medical device technology for the treatment of open angel glaucoma

Noviace Corporation -- bioresorbable polymer implants for use in a variety of orthopedics and spine surgical applications

OmniCorder Technologies, Inc. -- biomedical infrared imaging system

OraMetrix, Inc. -- SureSmile, 3-D digital imaging technology that enables computer-aided orthodontic treatment planning and robotic archwire customization

Pindi Products, Inc. -- Magneto/Wave Spectroscopy technology providing noninvasive measurements for glucose, other blood analytes, and identity verification

Rheologics, Inc. -- Rheolog, a scanning capillary viscometer that measures the biophysical properties of whole blood

Rhythm Technologies, Inc. -- catheters designed to diagnose, terminate, and treat cardiac arrhythmia during EP and ablation procedures

RITA Medical Systems, Inc. -- minimally invasive treatment option for patients with unresectable (inoperable) tumors

Spineology, Inc. -- Optimesh, a minimally invasive platform technology with broad applications in spinal surgery

Surgical Systems & Instruments, Inc. -- scoring (cutting) balloon technology for angioplasty of resistant coronary and peripheral lesions

TechniScan Medical Systems, Inc. -- 3-D tomographic ultrasound imaging system to aid in diagnosing breast cancer

Tissue Transformation Technologies, Inc. -- cell-based therapeutics and biologics (in vitro tox, metabolism, and drug interaction screening)

Twin Star Medical, Inc. -- catheter-based technology for site-specific tissue drainage and/or delivery of cells or drugs

VMBC, LLC (The Vasclip Company) -- less invasive alternative to vasectomy that eliminates cutting, suturing, and cauterizing the vas deferens

Xilas Medical, Inc. -- medical device products that address the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diabetic foot pathology

Xtrak Medical, Inc. -- catheters for crossing, and catheters for simultaneously macerating and collecting peripheral and cardiovascular obstructions

Keynote Presentation:

"A Medical Device - From Idea to Reality"
Alfred E. Mann, Chairman
Advanced Bionics Corporation
 

Featured Speakers:

"Medical Device Funding Trends"
Robin Bellas, General Partner
Morgenthaler Ventures
 

"Make Your IP Work for You:  What Every Medtech Company Needs to Know About Starting, Managing, and Leveraging Your IP Portfolios"
Robin M. Silva, Partner
Dorsey & Whitney, LLP
 

"The Importance of Risk Management in Today's Medical Device Industry Environment"
Deborah Madsen, UL Brea Medical Device Services Manager
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
 

Pre-Conference Panel Discussion: 

“Private Companies and Wall Street: How to Add Validation and Sizzle to your Capital-Raising Story”

Industry Panel Discussion: 

"Meet The Money:  What VCs are Looking for in Medtech Start-ups in 2004"

Co-sponsored by: