The Medtech Innovation Podcast

I'm joined by Monica Vajani, Executive Director of the MedTech Accelerator at mHUB, as we explore the broken early-stage funding model, the evolution of value-based care's impact on medical device purchasing, and why Chicago is becoming a powerhouse for hard tech innovation.

Living Through the Value-Based Care Revolution
→ Monica witnessed firsthand the transition from physician-driven purchasing decisions to complex value analysis committees requiring clinical evidence and cost justification
→ The fundamental disconnect: hospitals take on financial risk through value-based care models, but medical device companies still sell based on static clinical trial data from months or year...

Duration: 00:41:40

I'm joined by Jonathan Swill, Principal Consultant at Surgical Excellence Partners, as we explore the future of patient-specific implants in orthopedics, why 20% of knee replacement patients remain unsatisfied, and how personalized medicine combined with robotics and AI will transform musculoskeletal surgery.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

The Patient-Specific Implant Revolution in Orthopedics 
→ Why orthopedics is the "last bastion" to adopt patient-specific approaches while cranial maxillofacial surgery has made it the gold standard 
→ How automated surgical planning software is reducing design time from weeks to days by cutting engineer-surgeon iteration cycles 
→ The criti...

Duration: 01:14:56

I'm joined by Jelani Abdus-Salaam, Founder at Best of AI, as we explore how AI can transform medtech operations, the critical distinction between AI automation and AI agents, and practical strategies for adopting AI without massive organizational overhauls.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

AI Literacy Gap Creates Massive Medtech Opportunity → Medtech is perfectly suited for AI with rules-based QMS, defined regulatory standards, and structured clinical data—yet AI literacy remains surprisingly low → Companies that bought specialized AI solutions from domain experts succeeded 67% of the time, while internal enterprise initiatives failed at 95% → The paradox: medtech...

Duration: 01:03:15

I'm joined by Jeff June, MedTech Founder and Ecosystem Builder, as we explore the broken venture capital model in healthcare, why accelerator programs are failing early-stage companies, and his battle-tested strategies for building successful MedTech ventures through strategic partnerships and ecosystem development.

In this episode, we dive deep into:
The Funding Crisis Reality Check
→ Why venture capital has transformed into private equity, abandoning true early-stage companies
→ How founders are achieving FDA clearance and $500K revenue without raising venture capital
→ The massive disconnect between what VCs fund versus what MedTech innovation actually needs

The...

Duration: 01:30:18

I'm joined by Aaron Moncur, Founder and President at Pipeline Design & Engineering, as we explore his unique approach to building an engineering empire centered on promoting joy in team members' lives, innovative automation solutions, and creating community-driven platforms that are revolutionizing how engineers collaborate and learn.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

From Near-Death Surfing to Engineering Excellence 
→ How a life-threatening surfing experience at Diamond Head shaped Aaron's resilience and company philosophy 
→ Why Pipeline got its name from Banzai Pipeline (not oil pipelines) as inspiration for engineering excellence 
→ The journey from Hawaii to...

Duration: 01:23:59

I'm joined by Ross Peterson, Chief Business Development Officer at ProPlate, as we explore the specialized world of metallization and electroplating for medical devices, from life-saving pediatric applications to cutting-edge energy delivery systems.
In this episode, we dive deep into:

The Science of Medical Device Metallization
→ How electroplating adds metal microinches at a time using electrical current and metal ion chemistry
→ Why vacuum deposition is required to metalize non-conductive polymers like balloon catheters
→ The four primary applications: stimulation, ablation, sensing, mapping, and radio opacity

Rare Earth Magnet Plating Mastery
→ How ProPlate...

Duration: 00:35:25

I'm joined by Jeremy Ridley, Senior Director of Engineering at Delve, as we explore how the best engineers design and develop complex medtech innovations, from managing regulatory constraints to building breakthrough products that actually make it to market.

The Hidden Reality of Medtech Engineering Leadership
→ Most engineering leaders underestimate the time required for regulatory alignment - Jeremy reveals it should be happening from day one, not after product development
→ The biggest career mistake engineers make is staying in their technical comfort zone instead of developing business acumen and market understanding
→ Successful medtech engineers must become...

Duration: 00:48:55

I'm joined by John Behles, Owner at Lexigent LLC and Founder & GP at PhiCAP Fund, as we explore the critical role of intellectual property strategy in medtech success, common IP pitfalls that destroy startup valuations, and how physician-led venture capital is reshaping healthcare investing.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

The IP Strategy Foundation 
→ Why doing your own prior art research makes you a more sophisticated founder 
→ The critical difference between landscape opinions, FTO studies, and patentability searches 
→ How to create a comprehensive IP strategy before you ever file a patent

...

Duration: 00:48:17

I'm joined by Natalie Freels, CEO at InsightHealth Consulting, as we explore how data-driven market intelligence is revolutionizing medtech commercialization strategies and transforming how innovative companies bring breakthrough technologies to market.

The Hidden Truth About Market Research in Medtech
→ Traditional market research methods are failing medtech startups because they rely on outdated physician survey data that doesn't reflect real-world adoption patterns
→ Most medtech companies waste 40% of their market research budget on generic industry reports instead of targeted, actionable intelligence specific to their device category

Cracking the Code on Physician Adoption Behavior
→ Physicians don't...

Duration: 00:53:17

I'm joined by Brian More, CEO at Nanovis, a nanotechnology company that's transforming patient outcomes through breakthrough surface engineering innovations.

In this episode, we jump into:

The Nanotechnology Impact in Spinal Implants
→ Nanovis creates surfaces that mimic natural bone structure at the nanoscale, dramatically improving osseointegration rates
→ Their proprietary nanotopography increases surface area by 30-40x compared to traditional smooth implants, accelerating bone growth
→ The technology reduces healing time from months to weeks by creating optimal conditions for osteoblast attachment and proliferation

From Academia to Commercial Success: The Nanovis Journey
→ H...

Duration: 00:45:24

I'm joined by Damian Carr, CEO of Eyedea MedTech Education, as we explore his mission to rapidly accelerate medtech innovation through democratized catheter design knowledge, hands-on learning experiences, and breaking down the traditional silos that slow device development.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

From Personal Health Crisis to Innovation Mission 
→ How a childhood tuberculosis diagnosis sparked a lifelong obsession with medical devices 
→ The journey from "prostitute of the medical device industry" to education entrepreneur 
→ Why democratizing specialized knowledge accelerates innovation by 10+ years

The Catheter Technology Revolution 
→ How modern proto...

Duration: 00:52:58

I'm joined by Santosh Iyer, Founder and CEO of Moonshot, as we explore the mission to train the modern healthcare workforce in emerging technologies, the true potential of AI in medtech, and strategies for innovating within highly regulated healthcare environments.

In this episode, we dive deep into:
Moonshot's Mission and Vision
→ Training healthcare professionals to leverage AI, advanced imaging, and robotics
→ Creating hands-on experiential learning to drive skills retention and enthusiasm
→ Serving learners from high school students to seasoned healthcare executives

The Reality of AI in MedTech
→ Where AI will truly ma...

Duration: 00:49:27

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Oke Anakwenze, CEO of SutureTech and Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Duke University, as we explore his journey from practicing surgeon to medtech entrepreneur and the development of RapidFix - the world's first all-suture staple for tendon repair.

In this episode, we breakdown:

The Surgeon's Path to Innovation 
→ First-generation journey into orthopedic surgery 
→ Identifying critical problems in rotator cuff repairs 
→ Developing a passion for medical innovation

Developing Revolutionary Technology 
→ Creating the world's first all-suture staple 
→ Addressing the high 30-80% failure rate in rotator cuff...

Duration: 00:38:39

I'm joined by Dr. Joshua Liu, Co-founder and CEO of SeamlessMD, as we explore the journey from practicing physician to digital health entrepreneur and the strategies behind building a successful patient engagement platform that enhances care journeys through innovative technology.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

The Digital Patient GPS 
→ How SeamlessMD guides patients through complex healthcare journeys 
→ Automating patient education, reminders, and symptom monitoring 
→ Creating a "GPS for healthcare" that reduces readmissions and costs

From Physician to Digital Health Innovator 
→ Dr. Liu's entrepreneurial journey from medical school to startup f...

Duration: 00:44:56

I'm joined by Kyle Kruse, VP of Sales at Missile Productions, as we explore how medical device manufacturers can use video to cut through the noise, build authentic connections, and drive growth in an industry that's been slow to embrace digital marketing.

In this episode, we break down:

The Power of Personal Branding in Medtech 
→ How Kyle's "Kruse Missile" nickname evolved into a powerful brand identity 
→ Why personal LinkedIn content outperforms company pages every time 
→ Creating authentic content that resonates with technical audiences 
→ Building relationships and trust through consistent personal branding

Breakin...

Duration: 00:45:40

I'm joined by Stewart Clark, healthcare consultant and strategy expert with extensive experience in health system operations, service line planning, and healthcare M&A. From his journey through Cleveland Clinic's administrative fellowship to consulting on healthcare ventures globally, Stewart shares invaluable insights on how medtech companies can effectively navigate the complex healthcare landscape and understand the realities of hospital economics and decision-making.

In this episode, we breakdown:

Health System Decision-Making Reality
→ Why healthcare moves slowly (and why your timeline expectations need adjustment) 
→ Understanding where hospitals make and lose money (and why this matters for y...

Duration: 00:39:37

I'm joined by Steve Maxson, innovation and business development leader at US Extruders, owner of Maxson Insights Services, and host of the MedEx and MedTech Unbox Podcasts, as we explore the fascinating world of stent technology and delivery systems. With over 20 years of industry experience, Steve leverages his vast network to assist contract manufacturers and medical device OEM's with extrusion and secondary processing equipment, medical extrusions, catheter development and manufacturing services.

Episode Summary:

In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of stent technologies, exploring the differences between balloon expandable and self-expanding stents, the...

Duration: 00:31:55

From Sales Rep to Manufacturing Innovator: Breaking Down Medical Device Development Barriers

Jason Scherer, CEO of VitaTek, shares how frustration with traditional medical device development led him to build the largest privately-owned medical device manufacturer in Minnesota, offering true end-to-end capabilities.

In this episode, we explore:

Speed & Control in Med Device Development
→ Traditional development process requires 10+ vendors
→ Vitatek consolidated everything in-house
→ Cut development timeline from 5+ years to under 2 years

Challenging Industry Norms
→ Breaking away from traditional R&D approaches
→ Bringing transparency to hydrophilic coating development
→ Democratizin...

Duration: 00:42:20

I'm joined by Dennis Lenard, design expert and CEO of Creative Navy, as we explore the critical role of evidence-based design in creating successful medical devices and interfaces. With 15 years of experience in medical interface design, Dennis shares insights on how startups can leverage design to compete with incumbents and create better user experiences in healthcare.

In this episode, we breakdown:

The Evolution of Medical Device Design 

→ Origins of ergonomics in medical devices 

→ Why incumbents often struggle with GUI design

→ How design can level the playing field for startups...

Duration: 00:46:47

Join Spencer Jones as he sits down with Brad Shirley, Founder and Principal of DCMS Solutions, to explore the nuances of medtech innovation both within large corporations and startups. Drawing from his extensive experience at Cook Medical, Cook Regentec, and Maruho Medical, Brad shares invaluable insights on navigating product development, managing R&D teams, and driving successful innovation in different organizational contexts.

In this episode, we break down:

Corporate Innovation vs Startup Agility 

→ Challenges of innovating within large corporate structures 

→ How Cook Regentec operated as an innovation incubator 

→ Balancing...

Duration: 00:35:54

In this episode, I'm joined by Paul-Lukas Hoffschmidt, Founder and CEO of Alpha Sophia, who's revolutionizing how medtech companies find and engage their customers. Coming from the world of retail analytics, he brings a fresh perspective on using data to drive commercial success in healthcare.

From hyper-personalization at scale to building trust through content, we unpack the new rules of medtech commercialization.

Episode Breakdown:

The Evolution of Commercial Analytics in MedTech 

→ Why medtech lags behind other industries in commercial analytics 

→ Building a single source of truth for market intelligence 

→...

Duration: 00:38:24

F Javier Perez from MedTech Digest and I are joined by David Narrow, Co-founder and CEO of Sonavex, where we explore the journey of building innovative medical devices, navigating regulatory approvals, and transforming dialysis care.

In this episode, we break down:

The Journey from Academia to MedTech Entrepreneurship
→ Spinning technology out of Johns Hopkins University
→ Building the right team and securing early validation
→ Transitioning from biomedical engineering to business leadership

Revolutionizing Dialysis Care with AI-Enabled Ultrasound
→ Understanding the critical need for better vascular access
→ How EchoMark and EchoSure work toget...

Duration: 00:44:41

I'm joined by Steve Maxson, a 20-year medical device manufacturing veteran and Innovation Lead at US Extruders, as we explore the future of balloon-based therapies and the evolution of medtech manufacturing. Steve shares insider knowledge on emerging technologies that are transforming cardiovascular care and reshaping how we think about medical device development.

In this episode, we breakdown:

The Next Wave of Balloon-Based Technologies 

→ How integration of electronics and balloons is revolutionizing treatments 

→ Why new energy delivery methods are attracting billion-dollar acquisitions

→ Deep dive into cryo, RF, and puls...

Duration: 00:31:26

In this episode, I'm joined by Kat Weaver, founder of Power To Pitch and a successful entrepreneur who scaled and sold her first company she started in her college dorm room. With an impressive track record of winning 22 out of 23 pitches, Kat now helps founders craft winning pitch decks and fundraising strategies.

In this episode, we breakdown:

The Art of Effective Communication 

→ Why pitching is a learnable skill, not just natural talent 

→ The importance of practice and preparation

→ Pitch scripts and boosting memorization 

→ Common mistakes in pitch delivery an...

Duration: 00:40:03

The Quality Mindset: Unlocking Medtech Success with Kyle Rose

In this episode, Spencer is joined by Kyle Rose, CEO of Rook Quality Systems and expert quality and regulatory consultant, to explore the critical role that quality management plays in medtech innovation and startup success.

Key topics covered:

The Importance of Early Quality Integration 

→ Why quality shouldn't be an afterthought in product development 

→ Finding the right balance between speed and compliance 

→ How quality processes can actually accelerate innovation

Quality Management for Resou...

Duration: 00:37:29

I'm joined by Mark Norton, former Apple Manufacturing Manager and now Founder and CEO of Adele Health, as we explore the journey from tech giant to medtech startup and the challenges of building an innovative diabetes management solution.

In this episode, we breakdown:

The Apple Manufacturing Experience 

→ Transitioning from oil rigs to the cutting edge of tech manufacturing 

→ Insights into Apple's meticulous approach to product design and quality 

→ Lessons learned from managing global supply chains during unprecedented events

Applying Big Tech Principles to Medtec...

Duration: 00:23:19

I'm joined by Samantha Wagner, Business Development Manager at Medical Murray, as we explore the journey from R&D engineer to medtech business strategist and the challenges of bringing novel devices to market.

In this episode, we breakdown:

Navigating the RFQ Process
 → Essential preparation steps for founders
 → Balancing technical details with business realities
 → The importance of communicating challenges and pain points

The Art of Manufacturer Partnerships
 → Building long-lasting relationships in the medtech space
 → The value of transparency and mutual success
 → How to handle funding cycles and financial constrai...

Duration: 00:34:39

I'm joined by Dr. Josh Ammerman, Founder and CEO of ComboSpine, as we explore the journey from practicing neurosurgeon to medtech entrepreneur and the challenges of building a successful startup in the spine surgery space.

In this episode, we breakdown:

1. The Physician Entrepreneur's Journey
→Transition from clinical practice to medtech innovation
→Importance of surrounding yourself with the right team and resources
→Recognizing the need for business skills beyond medical expertise

2. Navigating the Regulatory Maze
→Building strategic partnerships and avoiding common pitfalls
→The value of a holistic approach to product de...

Duration: 00:31:56