U Of M Gives First Look At Medical Device Research Center
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The University of Minnesota has a new medical device center making headlines across the globe.
University officials gave a preview of the new center Monday inside the Mayo Building on the University of Minnesota campus, replacing the old location in the University's Shepherd Labs that opened in 2008.
The new 8,000-square-foot Medical Devices Center facility was built specifically for designing, prototyping and testing new medical devices. Facilities include a 3D Virtual Design Lab, Imaging Lab, Anatomy and Physiology Lab, as well as brainstorming rooms. The center is known worldwide as the host of the world's largest annual Design of Medical Devices Conference. It's also a world-renowned model for turning research and development ideas into marketable products.
Art Erdman, the director of the Medical Devices Center, said the new facility will help make the University even more competitive in the research field on a global scale by fostering collaboration between the University's College of Science and Engineering, and Academic Health Center units.
"We were the missing front end and we had everything from animal trials and clinical trials, basic research and engineering. We're top 10 in the country in all those, but this was missing to connect engineers and scientists, the practicing and the surgeons together," said Erdman.
The new facility cost $2.3 million, almost half paid for by donations. The facility will be open to the public Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For anyone who wants to see the new facility it will be open Tuesday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
