The Medtech Impact Podcast

Novobeing is addressing a significant problem in healthcare: poor patient experience during hospital stays. Their solution involves using virtual reality technology to transport patients to calming environments, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. Beyond the direct benefits to patients, this also aims to improve HCAHPS (Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems) scores, as patient satisfaction increases.CEO and co-founder, Sid Desai, shares how their research studies are validating these benefits for hospitals systems, with exciting recent results from Massachusetts General Hospital providing further evidence. The company's initial focus is on patients undergoing stem cell transplant procedures, who often face prolonged hospital stays and isolation. Novobeing’s VR technology offers a way to improve their mental well-being and overall experience.With several hospital systems already testing Novobeing’s solution, Sid discusses the exciting opportunities, including the potential to reduce pharmacological interventions. As the healthcare industry embraces Medical VR, the vision of fully patient-centered care comes closer to reality. Novobeing is well placed to play a central role in this evolution, meaning this story is sure to leave you informed and inspired.

Prapela is a medical device company focused on improving newborn health. Their primary product is a specially designed mattress that uses gentle vibrations to regulate infant breathing, particularly for babies experiencing apnea of prematurity and neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.CEO & co-founder, John Konsin, joins this episode to share how many newborns, especially premature babies, experience breathing irregularities, including apnea and oxygen desaturation. Prapela's innovative mattress offers a non-invasive solution than can reduce the need for additional interventions while lowering costs for hospitals.Prapela's market potential is significant, as it addresses a common and serious issue affecting newborn infants. Building on decades of research and recent exciting clinical evidence, the Prapela journey is definitely one to track, be sure to tune in so you can be informed and inspired.

Millions of men suffer from premature (early) ejaculation, the most common sexual disorder in men younger than 40 years, with 30-70% of males in the United States affected to some degree at one time or another. This can be a major relationship issue for both partners and is often viewed as a challenging matter to discuss. Coupled with this, existing treatments like sprays, creams, and antidepressants have side effects or are found to be not very effective.Morari Medical’s CEO and Founder, Jeff Bennett, joins this episode to share how they are developing a wearable patch that uses neurostimulation to delay ejaculation. The patch is placed on the perineum, the area between the scrotum and the anus, and users can control the settings through an app to find what works best for them.As Morari gears up for FDA approval and aims to be on the market in early 2025, Jeff discusses how he has transitioned from working at Boston Scientific to leading not just a startup, but a movement to make premature ejaculation no longer a taboo topic. From being spotlighted on Jimmy Kimmel, to winning numerous accolades, Jeff’s story will be sure to leave you informed and inspired.

For episode 60, and one of the most popular recordings to date, we re-release the very first episode of the show where Rajit Kamal, currently VP & General Manager of Medtronic's Surgical Robotics division, joined us to talk about early-stage innovation.This is a must listen for any medtech entrepreneur as Rajit discusses how large medtech companies approach innovation and what they look for in early-stage startups. Rajit shares insights from his years of experience in the industry, developing winning teams, and how to overcome challenges bringing new solutions to patients. Be sure to tune in so you can be informed and inspired.

Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriades MD, CEO and co-founder of Lapsi Health, joins this episode to share insights into the company's newly launched product, Keikku—a revolutionary digital stethoscope designed to enhance the detection and monitoring of health conditions through advanced acoustic processing. Jhonatan discusses how Keikku is transforming traditional stethoscopes from simple listening devices into powerful data-driven tools that support medical diagnosis and patient monitoring. Initially targeting general healthcare professionals, Keikku is a part of Lapsi's broader vision to revolutionize health tracking. The stethoscope allows healthcare professionals to stream real-time sound clips and communicate securely, enabling faster and more accurate medical insights. Future software updates will incorporate AI-driven analysis for heart murmur detection and respiratory issues like wheezing, positioning Keikku at the forefront of smart medical devices. Throughout the discussion, Jhonatan emphasizes Lapsi Health's mission to make cutting-edge medtech more accessible and user-friendly for healthcare professionals and patients alike. With FDA clearance for Keikku already secured and additional approvals for AI features in the pipeline, the Lapsi team has a clear vision to position their hardware and software platform to help reshape how doctors and patients engage with medical technology. Listen in so you can be informed and inspired.

When you’re talking to one the founding fathers of pulse field ablation, you know you’re in for a real whirlwind of wisdom. Dr. Steven Mickelsen is a board-certified electrophysiologist who invented a pulsed electric field system and founded FARAPULSE in 2012. Ten years later, he is back at it again, with the founding of Field Medical Inc., as he looks to continue the crusade for superior cardiac ablation procedures.This discussion delves deep into the anatomical anomalies that ablation looks to tackle. Steven masterfully guides through the depths of the heart’s chambers and the limitations of today’s techniques. Through reverse engineering the problem, Field Medical is bringing new possibilities to tackling the underserved space of ventricular arrhythmia ablation.From the outset, Steven’s knowledge makes this a truly insightful summary of all things pulsed field ablation related, with a good sprinkling of entrepreneurial sagacity. Nearly every innovative startup hones in on a true unmet need to get started, and Field Medical’s blue ocean opportunity in VT makes this episode one that will be sure to leave you informed and inspired.

Kristin Nuckols, co-Founder & Chief Clinical Officer of Imago Rehab, joins this episode to discuss the challenges and opportunities in stroke rehabilitation. She highlights the increasing incidence of stroke and the devastating impact it can have on survivors and their families. She shares the challenges faced by healthcare providers in delivering effective post-stroke care, particularly in resource-limited settings.Kristin provides insights into her extensive experience as an Occupational Therapist and time in the Harvard Biodesign program that has allowed her to build a unique understanding of how high-quality rehabilitation for stroke survivors can improve their physical, cognitive, and emotional outcomes. Despite the numerous benefits of rehab, the growing number of patients mean new flexible solutions are essential to ensure the right care is available.Imago Rehab is developing innovative solutions to address these challenges, with a focus on making high-quality rehabilitation accessible to anyone recovering from a stroke.. If you want to learn how soft robotics is being coupled with telemedicine to build a better future, then tune so you can be informed and inspired.

Millions of patients develop pressure injuries (bed sores) every year, often due to a lack of early detection. These wounds can lead to serious complications and even death. The current method of diagnosis relies on visual inspection by healthcare providers, which can be subjective and unreliable.Sanna Gaspard, CEO & Founder of Rubitection, joins this episode to discuss how she is developing a low-cost, easy-to-use medical device that uses optics to measure skin redness and inflammation, providing objective data for early detection of pressure injuries. The device is accompanied by a mobile app that allows clinicians to track changes in the wound, receive care recommendations, and capture images.Sanna shares insights around Rubitection’s functional prototype that has shown positive results in initial human testing. Access is a key word throughout the episode, and this includes how the company is utilizing Wefunder to crowdfund the capital needed to advance the technology and ensure that the community can access investing in the venture.  Packed with impactful goals for patients, this story is sure to leave you informed and inspired.Be sure to join us on September 25-26 at MEDevice Boston where you can hear from other innovators leading the charge to help improve patient lives (use the code IMPACT to get your free expo pass and 20% conference ticket discount at the checkout).

Augie Shanahan, CEO of Piccolo Medical, joins this episode to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the field of central venous catheter placement. He highlights the limitations of current Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) technologies and the need for more accurate and reliable navigation methods.Piccolo Medical is developing innovative solutions to address these challenges, including their proprietary ionic dilution technology that provides real-time blood flow visualization. This technology has the potential to improve the accuracy and safety of catheter placement, especially in patients with arrhythmias.Augie shares insights into the company's journey, from its origins as a spin-out from the TheraNova incubator to its recent FDA clearance for the Easy Guide Connector. As an engineer turned CEO, Augie has plenty of great perspectives of the numerous challenges in successfully developing a novel medical, insights sure to leave you informed and inspired.Be sure to join us on September 25-26 at MEDevice Boston where you can hear from other innovators leading the charge to help improve patient lives (use the code IMPACT to get your free expo pass and 20% conference ticket discount at the checkout).

Chris Landon, CEO of Natus Neuro, joins us to discuss the challenges and opportunities in neurodiagnostics. Six months since being appointed, Chris shares a clear vision for Natus as he explains the need for improved access to diagnostic tools and the importance of data-driven insights for better patient care.Chris emphasizes the role of technology in addressing these challenges, including artificial intelligence and cloud-based solutions. A focus on patient-centric innovation is a recurring theme throughout the episode as Chris details their commitment to developing solutions that improve clinical workflows and patient outcomes.From winning principles in product development, to developing a global strategy with a new team, this conversation is a fantastic insight into how Chris is leading the Natus vision. If you want to learn about the latest neuro sensor trends, and how to execute a winning game plan to address these, then be sure to tune in so you can be informed and inspired.Be sure to join us on September 25-26 at MEDevice Boston where you can hear from other innovators leading the charge to help improve patient lives (use the code IMPACT to get your free expo pass and 20% conference ticket discount at the checkout).

Sydney Robinson, CEO & co-founder of Vessl Prosthetics, joins this episode to discuss how they are enhancing prosthetic technology. Her innovative company is developing an advanced prosthetic socket that can offer unparalleled comfort, mobility, and functionality for amputees.During the discussion, Sydney shares her personal journey and the critical medical innovation fellowship that led to the founding of Vessl Prosthetics. She discusses the challenges faced by amputees and the limitations of traditional prosthetic solutions. Vessl's mission is to address these shortfalls by providing truly accessible and customized solutions that improve the quality of life for users.We dive into the company's research and development efforts to reach these goals, including collaborating with Stevie Crawford as he trains for the 2026 Winter Paralympics. Sydney also shares insights into the latest advancements in prosthetic technology and the potential for future partnerships. As the company prepares for FDA approval, strap in and listen, so you can be informed and inspired.Be sure to join us on September 25-26 at MEDevice Boston where you can hear from other innovators leading the charge to help improve patient lives (use the code IMPACT to get your free expo pass and 20% conference ticket discount at the checkout).

SmartCardia is a medical technology company developing innovative solutions to improve cardiac care. The company's flagship product is a 7-lead ECG patch that collects vital signs and enables remote patient monitoring. This technology addresses the limitations of traditional ECG patches by providing more comprehensive data and facilitating real-time monitoring. Adam Kirchgessner, VP of Sales at SmartCardia, joins this episode to discuss the company's mission and technology. He highlights how they are helping provide accurate and accessible cardiac data for early detection and diagnosis of arrhythmias and other heart conditions. Adam also explains the significant value prop of their advanced platform that enables seamless data integration and analysis, empowering healthcare providers to make informed decisions. Beyond ECG monitoring, the company's goal is to become a comprehensive cardiac care solution, offering remote patient monitoring for conditions like heart failure and sleep apnea. Adam delves into what goes into building a winning sales team to achieve these ambitions, touching on his extended experience with other innovative technologies. Whatever your position in the medical technology space, this episode is packed with insights on delivering great innovation, a discussion sure to leave you informed and inspired. Be sure to join us on September 25-26 at MEDevice Boston where you can hear from other innovators leading the charge to help improve patient lives (use the code IMPACT to get your free expo pass and 20% conference ticket discount at the checkout).

For our 50th episode, we are joined by Mike Hugo, a patient advocate for Medtronic, who shares the story behind his battle with glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. Mike's unique perspective as both a patient and industry insider offer valuable insights into the challenges and triumphs of navigating a complex medical condition. The discussion delves into Mike's journey, from initial diagnosis to experiences with a unique treatment pathway, and the impact of Novocure's incredible Optune technology that he wears every day. Mike's unwavering determination and positive outlook shine through as he explains his advocacy efforts, including supporting the Promising Pathway Act, to improve access to these types of advanced treatments for other patients. Beyond his personal story, Mike offers valuable insights into the medtech industry, sharing former experiences as a medtech sales professional and his passion for driving innovation in patient care. His firsthand knowledge of medical devices and advocacy work with his wife Vanessa, highlight the importance of collaboration between patients, healthcare providers, and industry leaders in advancing healthcare solutions. Listen in, and be prepared, to be truly, inspired and informed. Be sure to join us on September 25-26 at MEDevice Boston where you can hear from other innovators leading the charge to help improve patient lives (use the code IMPACT to get your 20% discount at the checkout).

After a needlestick injury, Dr. William Travis Lau conceived a safety suturing device to protect other healthcare workers from suffering a similar incident. Partnering with Joe Lane to help create what would become SafePath Medical, they started development of the first safety suturing device for catheter securement. Though Travis tragically passed away in 2019, his legacy endures through this life-saving innovation and his contributions to patient safety and blood management practices. SafePath’s CEO Joe, joins this episode to share insights into the unique design challenges that have been overcome to realize Travis’s vision, and create an ergonomic device that is capable of safe suturing for catheter securement and skin closure. With FDA clearance already in place for the intended use in placement of a silk suture in the skin and subcutaneous tissues, Joe discusses the multiple benefits that can now be made available to healthcare workers. This physician-backed solution is packed with engineering ingenuity and Joe shares how M2D2 is entwined in the backstory that helped the startup move from prototype to marketplace, leaving it primed to revamp the current standard of care. Under Joe’s leadership, SafePath Medical is realizing not only Travis’s vision, but a safer future for frontline healthcare workers. This is a true legacy story that is sure to leave you informed and inspired.

As a global leader in medical technologies, Stryker provides a wide range of innovative products to help improve patient and healthcare outcomes. With over 50,000 employees around the world working together to serve more than 150M patients annually, delivering a compliance driven culture is critical to the success of the business. Ultimately, whatever the size of your medtech organization, managing compliance risk means managing business risk. Dana McMahon, Chief Compliance Officer at Styker, joins this episode to share how she is collaborating with colleagues to ensure the organization has the mindset and tools needed to position multibillion-dollar projects for successful commercialization, profitable growth, and compliant operations across the value chain.  To cultivate a culture that moves past a tick box approach to compliance, Dana discusses how they have developed a structure that offers multiple touch points and brings elements of fun to engage employees. She highlights how their Code of Conduct refresh and launch campaign was awarded Stryker’s Brand Implementation of the Year award at the Marketing Excellence Awards, a first for a functional team! With a thriving share price, Stryker’s efforts around compliance are entwined with their growth over the past five years. If you’re looking to learn from the best about what it takes to achieve this winning culture, and create real impact, then be sure to tune in so you can be informed and inspired.

Imricor Medical Systems is advancing the electrophysiology field by allowing physicians to perform cardiac ablation procedures in the growing number of interventional magnetic resonance (iCMR) suites found or being developed in leading hospitals. In this episode, we are joined by Imricor’s Global Sales Leader, Greg Englehardt, to share the journey and their mission of bringing not just a set of innovative surgical tools to market, but also an entirely new operating environment! Where other large companies have tried and failed, Greg details how the company has navigated an array of technical challenges to make their solution successful. Between gaining Imricor’s CE mark approval and navigating a product launch during the pandemic, combined with Greg’s extensive experience with startups, this discussion is packed with insights. If you want to learn more about their upcoming US market development and how you could be part of a growing team then be sure to tune in so you can be informed and inspired.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a neurosurgical procedure that treats neurological conditions by implanting electrodes into the brain to produce electrical impulses. These impulses can control abnormal brain activity and chemical imbalances that cause conditions like Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia. Despite the benefits of DBS, less than 1% of the 25 million patients who are eligible to undergo the procedure opt-in due to the invasiveness of and risk associated with traditional open brain surgery. Nicky Driscoll, CTO of NeuroBionics, joins this episode to share how their team is on a mission to change the status quo through bioelectronic medicine. NeuroBionics is developing devices that seamlessly integrate with the human body and aim to offer DBS with a minimally-invasive approach. As well as learning about this exciting technology, Nicky shares insights into the journey from academic researcher to entrepreneur, and how they decided to focus on a challenging commercialization journey that could positively impact patient lives. As one of the top startups in the M2D2 accelerator program and recent winners of the 2024 Vision Award with Medtech Innovator, the NeuroBionics story is definitely one to follow, and is sure to leave you informed and inspired.

Amplitude Vascular Systems (AVS) is a medical device company based in Boston, MA, focused on safely and effectively treating severely calcified arterial disease. AVS is backed by global investors including BioStar Capital and Cue Growth Partners to develop their innovative Pulse IVL System that has recently received an investigational device exemption (IDE) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin its pivotal trial.Angie Volk, VP of Business Development, and Sean Gilligan, COO of AVS, join this episode to share about their team’s mission and how they are bringing this exciting technology to market. With Johnson & Johnson’s $13.3B acquisition earlier this year of Shockwave Medical, the IVL space is showing that it is currently one of the hottest spaces in medtech. We discuss how AVS’s Pulse IVL System is being designed to easily deliver therapy across complex calcified lesions and reduce overall procedural costs, making it hugely attractive to potential future acquirers.  As former Boston Scientific colleagues, Angie and Sean have extensive industry experience including unique insights of building a winning culture, and they are leveraging these learnings and their network to efficiently navigate their solution to patients across the globe. With two medtech veterans, this is a conversation brimming with helpful tips for any would-be entrepreneur that is sure to leave you informed and inspired.

The Future Health Index (FHI) survey conducted by Philips, a global leader in health technology, explores the challenges within healthcare systems and the innovative solutions being used to address them. From the survey findings, the recently released ninth annual report - 'Better Care for More People', demonstrates the pressures of staffing shortages and burnout on clinicians, and their ability to deliver timely, high-quality care to patients.  Jeff DiLullo, Chief Region Leader for Philips North America, joins this episode to discuss the findings and share how Philips is utilizing collaborative innovation to address the challenges. Jeff highlights the investments that healthcare leaders are making to help ease the burden on staff, such as automation and artificial intelligence, and those that are having an impact on increasing access and health equity such as virtual care.  Technology adoption is no longer a choice, but an imperative that leaders like Jeff are working with the community to bring solutions to where they are needed most. From AI to telehealth and virtual care, this conversation is a calling card to those who want to work together to foster innovation. Listen in for some wonderful takeaways from Jeff, and be sure to check out the Future Health Index 2024 Report so you can be informed and inspired.

Strokes are caused by blocked blood flow to the brain (ischemic stroke) or sudden bleeding in the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). About 87% of strokes are ischemic with the blockage in the brain usually caused by a piece of plaque or a blood clot. Like fingerprints, no two strokes are the same. Yet, conventional therapy options are limited and can compromise patient safety.​​ Rapid Medical’s CEO and co-founder, Ronen Eckhouse joins this episode to share how they are bringing critical innovation to tackle ischemic strokes and enable physicians to respond in real-time to the brain’s complex anatomy, helping tailor the procedure to every patient. Rapid Medical’s uniquely designed stent is hard on the clot but soft on the vessel, this allows physicians to actively adapt to the fragile environment found in the brain. Ronen shares how the company has built value through strong partnerships, a growing patent portfolio, and ultimately helped bring enhanced outcomes for stroke patients in countries across the globe. With a long-term mission to solve big problems and some exciting new innovation on the horizon, Ronen’s journey is one sure to leave you informed and inspired.