The meeting began with an industry update from Scott Mason, regarding the recent HIMSS convention. The HIMSS convention was well attended, with approximately 600 exhibitors and 15,000 attendees.
The "ten-minute drill," was presented by Joyce Hunter who discussed Iridian Technologies’ patented iris recognition technology. Joyce explained that Iridian’s iris recognition technology is not intrusive and is one of the most thorough forms of identification. Currently, the technology is useful for security purposes in health care facilities and other industries. Joyce can be contacted at 301.384.0699 or jhunter@iridiantech.com
Next Andy Tucker, a partner with Shaw Pittman, provided an update regarding the venture capital financing climate in the Northern Virginia area. Andy commented that the public markets appear receptive to initial public offerings and follow-on rounds of financing. Andy discussed some of the criteria that venture capitalists consider in deciding whether to invest in an emerging company, including, whether the company has clients and whether the company can show a return on investment. Andy can be contacted at 703.770.7783 or andy.tucker@shawpittman.com.
As the featured speaker, Greg Merril of Immersion Medical, displayed and demonstrated the use of devices that, like airline pilot training simulators, use a virtual environment to train surgeons. These simulators allow healthcare providers to practice procedures in an environment that poses no immediate risks to patients, where mistakes have no dire consequences, animal use is avoided, and performance standards for specific procedures are raised. Healthcare professionals can choose from a range of medical situations while experiencing real-life sight, sounds and touch sensations. Using advanced 3-D computer graphics, high-fidelity sound and state-of-the-art tactile feedback, these medical simulations reproduce the real experience. As the use of complex, minimally invasive medical procedures continues to rise, simulators that can accurately reproduce the tactile feel of these procedures will play an increasingly important role in medical training.