This presentation will highlight ongoing work in orthopedic and cardiovascular biomaterials. The presentation will focus on orthopedic polymers that have made it possible to restore function in diseased or damaged synovial joints. Recently we have investigated a variety of treatments to modify the surface chemistry, crosslink density, and microstructure of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (used to replace cartilidge) and acrylic bone cement (used to provide load transfer between the prosthesis and bone). These results and the current trends in orthopedic biomaterials will be discussed. Another area of utmost importance in biomaterials research is the mechanical characterization of soft biological tissues. Our studies on the characterization of diseased and non-diseased arteries and the implications for cardiovascular disease will be presented.

About the Speaker: Dr. Lisa Pruitt received her Ph.D. in Engineering from Brown University in 1993. She is currently an Associate Professor with joint appointments in the Departments of Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering at the University of California at Berkeley. As director of the Medical Polymer and Biomaterials Group, her research is focused on the structure­property relationships of load bearing medical grade polymers and biological materials. The primary goals of her current research are to develop micromechanistic links between structure and properties in load bearing tissues and their replacements.

Time:

6:00 - 7:00 p.m. ³No-host² cocktails

7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Dinner

8:00 - 9:00 p.m. Presentation

Cost:

$20.00 Members

$25.00 Non-Members

$10.00 Students

Entrees:

Poached Fresh Salmon in white wine & citrus sauce or

Chicken Breast w/Artichoke Hearts & Portabella mushrooms.

RSVP by Friday, November 5 to SF ASME via email to rsvp@sf.asme.org or leave a message at (415) 721-4478 include your name, entree choice and number of attendees.