On 13 February 2011 the first ever Technology in Medicine and Surgery event was held at the College – bringing together students from a wide range of disciplines to help them see how doctors, engineers and scientists can work together to improve healthcare. Claudia Craven, a third year medical student, and Joseph George, a fifth year medical student, who helped organise the event, report:

“Whilst Cupid was at play on Valentine’s weekend, Imperial College School of Medicine Surgical Society hosted the first ever Technology in Medicine and Surgery conference on the South Kensington Campus. Students from around the UK and Europe attended a series of talks and exhibitions, including work from Imperial researchers Dr Antonio Vilches and his team, an innovations workshop courtesy of Imperial Innovations, plus a student Dragon’s Den competition.

Dr Roger Armour, a retired vascular surgeon, spoke of his love of the retina and his user-friendly lens- free ophthalmoscope. This invention proved popular, with students examining each others’ retinas at the post conference dinner! Other inventions included Smart Pods – (ambulances of the future designed to park up anywhere, providing immediate on-the-spot treatment facilities for patients), and a 3D anatomy demonstration, care of Primal Pictures Ltd.

The day finished with an inspirational talk on the pioneering work of single incision laparoscopic surgery (an operation performed in the abdomen or pelvis ) by St Mary’s-based consultant surgeon, Mr Paraskevas from the Department of Surgery and Cancer. We really hope the conference motivated students into realising their vision for the future of medicine and surgery.”

For the original Imperial College Reporter Article click here