More than 1,200 people are expected to attend the University of Minnesota's 11th annual Design of Medical Devices Conference April 10 – April 12 at the University Hotel Minneapolis. The U is billing the gathering as the world's largest medical device conference. Emerging trends in medical device design, policy, engineering education and commercialization will be the focus. Attendees will be able to sit in on technical sessions on topics ranging from live surgery and cardiovascular engineering to micro and nano devices and surgical robotics. The conference also includes an interactive "Hands on Hearts" exhibit of real human hearts; the ExploraDome immersive learning environment, featuring anatomy and medical devices under a 25-foot dome.
The conference is presented by the University of Minnesota's Medical Devices Center, the College of Science and Engineering and the Academic Health Center. 3M, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Minnetronix, Lifescience Alley and Saitama Prefecture Japan are providing industry sponsorships. 
 For more information, go to www.dmd.umn.edu. Online registration ends April 1, 2012. Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is recommended.