You shouldn't miss the Cleveland Clinic Medical Innovation Summit - that's my unsolicited, unbiased opinion. The Summit is truly a rare opportunity to learn firsthand from medical-device executives, researchers, investors, surgeons, and even the FDA commissioner herself. Attendees also can witness a live robotic-assisted single-port kidney removal and treatment of a brain tumor using a hypothermic device. This year's theme, “Improving the Prognosis: Cancer Cures through Innovation,” will include sessions on breakthrough treatments such as radiotherapies, advancements in molecular therapeutics, and drug-development breakthroughs.

IBM CEO Sam Palmisano will present his perspective on “the most promising aspects” of healthcare reform. And CNBC financial reporter Maria Bartiromo will moderate a panel discussion on “Corporate Venturing in a Time of Capital Shortfalls and Demand for New Innovation.” This one promises to be a must for device makers interested in hearing the views of executives from Eli Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic, GE Healthcare, and Foundation Medical Partners. This will be followed by a cooking-with-cancer-fighting-foods demonstration by Cleveland Clinic Chief Wellness Officer Michael Roizen and a formal networking session with renowned oncologists and a tour of the Taussig Cancer Institute.

And remember when I asked, “What would you say to the FDA commish?”? (April Editorial, page 4). Well, Innovation Summit attendees will have a chance to address luncheon speaker and newly appointed FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg. Bring your questions.

The most exciting feature of the Innovation Summit is likely to be the “Top 10 Medical Innovations for 2010.” Last year's Top 3 (for the rest, see Medical Design's December issue, page 9) included (at No. 3) a nerve stimulator that lets patients breathe without a mechanical ventilator; (No. 2) a warm-blood perfusion carrier for transporting living organs, including hearts; and (No. 1) a blood test to predict the success of chemotherapy by measuring circulating tumor cells in a blood sample to detect treatment-resistant rogue cancer cells early in patients with recurrent cancer.

Rounding out the Innovation Summit will be exhibitors of diagnostic equipment and devices. And while the event itself is far from being the type of show design engineers and manufacturing engineers may be used to attending, it is an opportunity to travel outside “the box,” learn firsthand about some life-changing innovations, and be inspired.

For more, visit clevelandclinic.org/innovations/summit/.