MD&M MiniTec | SPE Medical Plastics Division

Medical polymers innovations, challenges and opportunities

A one-day conference where presentations from the industry will discuss the latest developments in the area of medical plastics.

Online Registration: https://xpressreg.net/register/mdmm1025/landing.asp

October 21, 2025 – Schedule of Events:

8AM REGISTRATION & POSTER SETUP

9AM – 5:30PM MINITEC PROGRAM

9-11:15 AM MORNING SESSIONS

Nathan Doyle, Compounding Solutions – Fluoropolymer Alternatives for Catheter Liners
Wei Zheng, University of Wisconsin-Stout – Design and Fabrication of an ASTM-Standardized System for Testing the Biodegradability of Sustainable Materials
Erik Foltz, Madison Group – Moving Cooling Optimization Forward: Design, Modeling & Case Studies to Improve Part Quality & Cycle Time

12-1:15 PM LUNCH & SPE POSTER SESSION

1:15-2 PM KEYNOTE SESSION

Mark Wehde, Mayo Clinic – How Technology is Helping Us Reimagine Healthcare

2:15-5 PM AFTERNOON SESSIONS

Theresa M. Reineke, University of Minnesota, Machine Learning Reveals Chemical Features in Polymer Micelles Determines mRNA Binding, In Vitro, and In Vitro Performance and Tropism
Heather Baeten, Boston Scientific – Leveraging Material Characterization Partnerships to Accelerate Failure Investigations and Manufacturing Solutions in Medical Devices
Mike Kratochvil, Exponent – Protein-Plastic Interactions

4:15-5:30 PM SPE MPD RECEPTION, INDUSTRY NETWORKING & POSTER SESSION

Don’t miss the networking. Students invited to join leaders from the industry.

PREVIEW THE SPEAKER LINEUP

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR

Download 1 page program (pdf)

Download program QR code

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!

Category: MD&M MiniTec

MiniTec Oct 2025 Program