and releasing medicaments. As Mr. A.R. Groves’s subsequent paper showed, no existing dressing mate- rial could offer such a specification, or meet entirely the patient’s basic need for comfort, convenience and an acceptable appearance. Despite the progress which has been made, particularly in the treatment of burns, there is a continuing need not only for the development of new materials but also for a better understanding of factors influencing wound bacterio- logy and the mechanisms underlying unwanted adhesion to, or penetration of, the dressing by the healing tissue.

There followed two papers on implants. The first, by Mr. G.T. Watts of the Birmingham General Hospital, described the use of silicone fluid-filled silicone rubber envelopes for breast reconstruction after mastectomy for cancer of the breast. In many cases such reconstruction could be performed at the time of operation, with considerable benefit to the post-operative state of mind of the patient. Mr. R.A. Hurlow presented work in the Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital on the use of microporous expanded PTFE in vascular grafts. Thirty-five of these grafts had been implanted in the legs of patients with blocked arteries. Although the results compared favourably with other artificial materials it would remain preferable to use the patient’s own saphenous vein to bypass the diseased arteries whenever its size and condition made this possible.

The first two papers after lunch were contributed by the Department of Biological Sciences, Univer- sity of Aston in Birmingham, and centred on the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Miss M.E. Broadbent outlined progress towards an implantable artificial endocrine pancreas containing a culture of islet cells within a hollow fibre device. Dr. D.G. Pedley examined the feasibility of using the oral route, rather than injection, for administering insulin. His proposed solution to the problem of protecting the insulin from enzymatic attack was to disperse the drug in sub-micron-sized capsules made of a bio-

BIOENGINEERS MEET AT MARSEILLES Marseilles, France, 15-19 September 1980

Over 24 different countries were represented at the 2nd Mediterranean Conference on Medical and Biological Engineering which was held at Marseilles. Over 200 papers were scheduled for presentation during a five day Conference, in which the organizers had arranged 3 simultaneous sessions. The Mediterra- nean countries are not renowned for their respect for timekeeping, a fact which totally prevented any effective ‘session hopping’ and several sessions had gaps where authors had not bothered to appear. This abuse is regrettably becoming more prevalent in our field and it is perhaps time that the Interna-

degradable polyester. The interest engendered by these projects was reflected in a lively discussion.

The theme then switched to problems of corrosion of metallic implants, starting with a review of 30 years experience in this area by Mr. J.H. Hicks. This paper provided the historical context in which to examine recent developments in corrosion-resistant alloys. Dr. E. Smethurst of the Department of Mechanical Engineering described the advantages of ‘Ortron 90’ stainless steel, in which improved corrosion and fatigue resistance has been achieved by an increase in chromium and nitrogen content and the addition of a small amount of niobium. Professor G.W. Rowe spoke about the general prob- lems of simulating wear in the laboratory and recomm ended an approach in which several different types of test would be considered together. Shifting the focus from the development and evaluation of mate- rials to their application in orthopaedic surgery, Mr. R.L. Batten of the Birmingham General Hospital described the advantages of a plate for internal fixation whose intrinsic design made it possible to apply compression to the fracture. The elegance of the approach was further illustrated by a series of case histories presented in a style which was both entertaining and informative. The last paper came from Mr. S.V. Hayes, Department of Mechanical Engineering, who presented an engineering analysis of the design of special femoral implants used for major replacement of bone.

The range of poster exhibits may perhaps be judged from the University Departments represented there, which included the Departments of Oral Pathology, Surgery, Anatomy, Geriatric Medicine and Zoology and Comparative Physiology.

The meeting appeared to achieve its objective of providing a forum for the presentation of work in progress, exchange of ideas and formation of new contacts. The encouraging level of support also suggested that there is scope for future meetings of this kind in the Birmingham area.

Stanley Salmons

Don Jones

tional Federation for Medical and Biological Engi- neering, under whose auspices this regional Conference was organized, took more positive steps to prevent it. Although there was much first class material, the standard of many of the papers was poor and many had been presented elsewhere at other regional Conferences of the Federation. The field of bio- medical engineering is too small to permit this selfish and damaging waste of time and this is another matter which the Federation’s seemingly defunct Conference Purposes and Practices Committee should examine.

78 J. Biomed. Engng. 1981, Vol. 3, January

In the sessions that I attended there was a wealth of good material and vigorous discussions. Two sessions in particular were worthy of note for they provided a detailed coverage of their subject and stimulated such good discussion. The first was a workshop on clinical engineering, which was organized under the auspices of the IFMBE’s recently formed Working Group. The second related session was a workshop on the exchange of experiences in education in bio- medical engineering. What became apparent in these two sessions was that many countries are currently re-evaluating the provision of education for bio- medical engineering and that although there are con- siderable differences from country to country, there appears to be a real desire for closer international collaboration in this area. It will be interesting to see whether the IFMBE’s Working Group makes any progress in the matter.

At this Conference, there were tutorial sessions which are now an established feature of many of the Federation’s Conferences.

They are immensely valuable and provide continuing education by those who are true masters of their subject. The only disappointment was that at this Conference there were only two, one on Image Pro- cessing, which has undergone tremendous develop- ment in the last five years, and the second on the more philosophical and humanitarian aspects of biomedical engineering.

The level of debate throughout the meeting was enhanced, as it so often is, by the provision of an excellent social programme, which included a truly dramatic farewell dinner in the Grand Palais des Papes at Avignon. The achievements in these con- ferences are often made, not in the formal sessions, but over dinner and coffee and it was thus at Marseilles. Particular mention must be made of Pro- fessor Kaphan and his staff, family and friends, who did so much to make the conference a success. No degree of success is achieved without a great deal of hard effort and they should be well satisfied.

Colin Roberts

BES ANNOUNCEMENT

PRESIDENT’S PRIZE

The Council of the Biological Engineering Society has decided to award a prize each year for an out- standing paper published in its Journal of Bio- medical Engineering. The author(s) of the paper will receive the President’s Prize and a certificate recording their success. For the 1979 volume the award is made to:

P. Gay and V.C. Roberts of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Kings’ College Hospital Medical School for their paper ‘Characterization of post exercise pressure response curves in the pedal arteries of patients with peripheral vascular disease.’

published in J. Biomed. Engng. Vol. 1, No. 1, pp 12-16.

THE UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION Research Fellow in Bio-Engineering

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a post of post-doctoral RESEARCH FELLOW in the above Department. The appointment will be made for a fixed period of up to two years commencing as soon as possible.

Applicants should possess a background in Bio- engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Physics, together with a qualification in Physical Education or an interest in sport. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a study of the nature of forces in joints during strenuous and athletic activities.

Salary on the IA scale for Research and Analogous Staff (f5505f9595, under review), according to age, qualifications and experience.

Application forms and further particulars may be obtained from the Registrar, The University, Leeds LS2 9JT, quoting reference number 1516. Closing date for applications 19th January 1961.

J. Biomed. Engng. 1981, Vol. 3, January 79