Author: Theresa Shafer

Medical Polymers – Call for Speakers 2025-2026

Posted on by Theresa Shafer

Medical Polymers Innovations, Challenges, and Opportunities

ANNUAL CALL FOR SPEAKERS

DEADLINE November 1, 2025

SPE’s Medical Plastics Division (MPD) is currently seeking submission of titles and abstracts for technical presentations for its 2025-2026 conference programing. Presentations are eligible for acceptance at one of the following technical sessions:

  • MD&M MidWest MiniTec – Minneapolis, MN · October 21, 2025 – CLOSED
  • MD&M West MiniTec – Anaheim, CA · February 2-3, 2026
  • SPE ANTEC®, March 2-5, 2026 (location and date TBD)

Topics are interest include the following:

1. Advanced Medical Polymers

  • Smart, self-healing, bioinspired, and antimicrobial medical plastics
  • Material biocompatibility
  • Materials & technologies critical for next generation medicines & therapeutic delivery systems

2. Next-Generation Medical Devices & Therapeutic Delivery

  • Next generation medical devices and therapeutic delivery systems
  • Personalization in materials, manufacturing, devices, and measurements
  • Development of hybrid devices to reduce single-use plastic waste and OEM end-of-life responsibilities

3. Manufacturing Innovations & Process Control

  • Additive manufacturing in medical devices (3D and “4D” printing)
  • Innovations in polymer processing and device manufacturing
  • AI and machine learning-driven tools for medical plastics manufacturing

4. Regulatory Compliance & Testing

  • Testing and validation of medical plastics (evolving standards and regulations: ISO 10993 updates, MDR, PFAS)
  • Interactions between medical plastics and sterilization methods (e.g., ethylene oxide limitations)

5. Sustainability & Lifecycle Considerations

  • Sustainability in healthcare materials and manufacturing
  • Design considerations for balancing safety, convenience, and lifecycle impact

Presentation Submission Next Steps

We are seeking early submissions  by September 15, 2025. Please complete the information on the conference link below.

Signup here

MPD Speaker Requirements for Selected Speakers

  • Submit proposed title & abstract by September 15, 2025. Your proposal will be reviewed and you will receive an email from the MPD Technical Programming Committee.
  • Accepted topics: submit a high resolution color headshot – 2 weeks after acceptance as speaker.
  • Submit your PowerPoint presentation for committee review no later than:
    • MD&M Minneapolis MiniTec – Minneapolis, MN | September 1, 2025
    • MD&M West MiniTec – Anaheim, CA | November 1, 2025
    • SPE ANTEC® | December 1, 2026
  • Participants will attend the on-site event
  • Consent to conference partner speaker agreement and distribution of a PDF version of your presentation to conference attendees

For additional information, please contact us.

Wrapping Up MiniTec Minneapolis 2024

Posted on by Theresa Shafer

Wrapping up another successful year at the SPE MPD MiniTec Conference in Minneapolis during MD&M MidWest!

It was fantastic to reconnect with colleagues and see so many new and familiar faces. Here are some of the highlights from our one-day event:

Conference Highlights

Our special keynote featuring Dr. Art Erdman, Founding Director of the Bakken Medical Devices Center, set the tone with a thought-provoking presentation.

Speakers included:

  • Rob Klein, AtriCure Inc.
  • Chun Wang, University of Minnesota, Biomedical Engineering
  • Wei Shen, University of Minnesota, Biomedical Engineering
  • Chris Konitzer, Avient Corp.
  • Patrick Haney, MTD Micro Molding
  • Shrubs Manna, Foster Corp.
  • Louis Somlai, Eli Lilly
  • Chris Ellison, University of Minnesota, IPPRIME
  • Wei Zheng, University of Wisconsin–Stout, Plastics Engineering
  • Len Czuba, Czuba Enterprises
  • Paul Briant, Exponent
  • Kimberly Chaffin, Medtronic
  • Chris Lyons, Exponent

This event featured presentations on innovations in materials, biopolymers, diagnostics, device-enabling polymers, drug delivery, design, manufacturing, 3D printing, testing, sterilization, and sustainability. Speakers included both academic and industry leaders in the medical devices industry.  We also held a successful student poster session. The top-ranked student poster award went to Marcus Flowers, UMN Biomedical Engineering.

Poster Session and Networking: 

The full-day conference was followed by a popular networking reception. MD&M Midwest brings together key players and industry experts who focus on the challenges and innovations shaping the industry.

Special Thanks

A special thank you to the team that made all this possible: Rob Klein, Chris Lyons, Len Czuba, Ron Dugas, Joanne Moody, and many others behind the scenes.

We’re proud to be part of MD&M Midwest, where collaboration drives the next wave of innovation in medical plastics. See you next year!

2024 – Thank You to Our Sponsors

Posted on by Theresa Shafer

We extend our heartfelt thanks to this year’s MiniTec sponsors.

Their sponsorship enabled us to bring together professionals, students, and thought leaders from across the medical polymer community for a day of knowledge sharing, technical insights, and meaningful connections. Their partnership is instrumental in advancing our mission to serve as the leading platform for scientific and engineering exchange in the medical polymer field.

Thank You to Our Sponsors