ISHA Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

Call for Innovations:

The ISHA 2026 "Alchemist's Lab"

Unleash your inner inventor! 

Every great surgical tool started as a sketch on a napkin. Do you have a concept that could simplify a portal, improve a suture, or track a patient’s recovery? A special technique you wish to share? A prototype sitting in your lab? A digital solution the world hasn't seen?

As part of the ISHA 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting in Bruges, we invite you to participate in the "Alchemist’s Lab" - an Innovation Fair looking for the most forward-thinking ideas in the field of hip preservation. This is a "No-PowerPoint Zone" - we want to see your prototypes, your 3D-printed models, and your disruptive ideas!

The challenge: You will have 5 minutes to convince our Innovation Jury and the ISHA audience that your innovation is the future. We want to see your passion!

Why participate? 

  • Exposure: Pitch directly in front of peers, industry leaders and potential med-tech partners.
  • The Inventor’s Award: The winner will receive the ISHA 2026 Innovation Trophy and a dedicated feature in the ISHA Newsletter.

How to apply:

  • Submit a 200-word proposal summarising your idea/pitch along with any photos/sketches/videos by Tuesday 18 August 2026 at 23:59 CEST (UTC+2).
ISHA 2026 Alchemist's Lab Submission Portal

In keeping with the ISHA 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting's theme "From Roots to the Sky", we want delegates to leave Bruges with their eyes firmly on the pioneering advancements of the years to come. The future of the hip starts in the Alchemist’s Lab. Will you lead the way?

Key Details

Eligibility
  • As the "Alchemist's Lab" is a non-CME-accredited session, any delegate (HCP or industry) may submit a proposal
  • Each submitter may submit up to 2 proposals
  • Selected presenters must be registered delegates and attend the meeting in person 
  • All submitters must provide a declaration of commercial interests
  • Please note that purely promotional presentations of established commercial products will not be accepted

Presentation Format
  • The "300-Second Quest": Each innovator will have 3 minutes to present their idea, followed by 2 minutes of questions from the moderators
  • No traditional slide decks; presenters may instead present a prototype, 3D model, drawing, short demonstration, brief video or a maximum of one “blueprint” slide

Themes

Pitch proposals should be submitted in one of three categories:

  • Guild of Tools: New instrument designs, robotics, hardware
  • Guild of Regeneration: Biologics, regenerative medicine, new "potions" (orthobiologics)
  • Guild of Vision: AI diagnostics, VR/AR surgical training, digital health
  • Guild of Craft: Surgical techniques, rehabilitation, clinical workflows, patient pathways

Please also indicate in your submission the current development stage of your innovation: concept, prototype, validation, clinical implementation or commercial product.

Proposal Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated by the Scientific Programme Committee based on:

  • Clarity of the proposal
  • Level of innovation
  • Real-world applicability
  • Magnitude of potential impact

Timings & Location
  • Pitches will be given in the Ground Floor Session Room, located at the rear of the Exhibition Hall; successful submitters will be informed of their allocated slot time in due course
  • There will be 5 pitch slots during the morning and afternoon coffee breaks on Thursday 8 October and Friday 9 October
  • Pitches will be assessed by a panel of expert judges (Innovation Jury) as well as audience voting, and the top 5 innovators will be invited to return for the morning coffee break on Saturday 10 October to re-pitch to become the ultimate recipient of the Inventor's Award!
  • The winner of the Inventor's Award will be announced during the Closing Session on Saturday 10 October

ISHA 2026 Annual Scientific Meeting

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