I sincerely welcome you to the 17th Congress of the International Society for Rotary Blood Pumps (ISRBP).

The activities of the research in this field were originally started from engineering challenges to create mid- and long-term use devices. In the gray of the daybreak of this society, basic engineering studies were carried out separately in Europe, Japan and the United States. I believe the engineering challenges definitely contributed to the sunrise of this technology. On the other hand, several types of short-term centrifugal pumps had been already applied to patients in cardiopulmonary bypass for open heart surgery in medical field.

The engineering activities were unified with the cooperation of medical field to create this "International" and "multidisciplinary" society and the development and research was dramatically accelerated to realize today's world wide usage of rotary blood pumps. Rotary blood pump technology has come to be absolutely necessary in the treatment of heart failure patients and other medical societies are taking in topics of this technology out of choice.

Under these circumstances, in Houston at the time of the last congress, we discussed seriously the importance of existence and identity of this society again. One of the conclusions of the discussion was "going back to the fundamental standpoint: contribution of engineering challenges together with medical and clinical science to solve practical medical problems and to develop next-generation technologies of rotary blood pumps" Our congress president, Dr C. Sivathasan will include this sense and organise an exciting congress.

I expect that in the congress, many researchers, clinicians, and people from industries and other relevant sectors get together from Europe, Japan, U.S. and newly rising nations in this field, to contribute to the rotary blood pump technology.

Yoshiyuki Taenaka M.D., Ph.D.
President
International Society for Rotary Blood Pumps (ISRBP)

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On behalf of the organising committee of the 17th Congress of the International Society for Rotary Blood Pumps (ISRBP), it is my pleasure to invite you to attend the Congress to be held in Singapore from 1 - 3 October 2009.

A must-attend Congress where scientists, engineers and clinicians meet to discuss new progress in rotary blood pump technologies, clinical applications quality of life (QOL) issues associated with the implantable rotary blood pumps.

We will spare no efforts to deliver an exciting and productive program which would consist of keynote addresses from leaders in the fields of biomedical engineering and medicine, who will present the latest knowledge and innovative thinking covering a wide range of important disciplines and topics. There will also be oral and poster presentations.

Located right in the heart of Asia - Pacific, the island of Singapore popularly known as a garden city, thrives as a financial and trading hub for the region and beyond. Although Singapore has transformed into a cosmopolitan city, it has not lost its Asian charm. A multicultural and multiethnic society, its hospitality, cuisine, arts and architecture reflect a blend of the East and West. Singapore has a population of about 4.4 million, of which one fifth comprises non-resident workers and expatriates. The resident population is multicultural, comprising 75.6% Chinese, 13.6% Malay, 8.7% Indians and 2.1% of various races. English is the working language and is widely spoken throughout Singapore.

The Singapore Standard Time Zone is GMT plus 8 hours. Singapore has an equatorial climate, which is warm and humid all year round. The temperature averages around 28 degrees Celsius daily, with abundant rainfall during the monsoon seasons from December to March and June to September.

Your participation and support will no doubt stimulate collaboration and also establish a network to foster camaraderie and goodwill among the delegates from the various nations.

We look forward to welcoming you to the 17th Congress of the International Society for Rotary Blood Pumps in sunny Singapore.

Dr C Sivathasan
Congress President, Organising Committee
17th Congress of the International Society for Rotary Blood Pumps (ISRBP)