Episodios

  • How to scale your platform technology

    How to scale your platform technology
    Jul 9 2025

    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 became the only company in North America capable of electroplating neodymium magnets
    → Why these strongest commercially available magnets corrode in open air and are extremely toxic unprotected
    → The supply chain implications of China's dominance in rare earth materials

    Life-Saving Pediatric Innovation
    → The heartwarming story of plating magnets for UCSF Berkeley's esophageal atresia treatment device
    → How magnetic anastomosis creates a non-invasive solution for babies born with disconnected esophagus
    → Why receiving a Christmas photo from a healthy patient family became the ultimate reward

    Next-Generation Electrode Technology
    → How replacing thick platinum iridium with stainless steel and selective precious metal plating cuts costs 50%+
    → The game-changing potential for PFA devices using 20-30 electrodes per device
    → Why traditional marker band methods fail on miniaturized, flexible stents

    Advanced Manufacturing Capabilities
    → The shift from wet chemistry to PVD processes for superior polymer compatibility
    → How batch processing beats one-by-one crimping for complex geometries
    → Creating marker bands under 2 French with wall thicknesses under 1 mil

    Best Quotes:
    "One in 3,000 babies are born with esophageal atresia. If anything, this is something that we should be working on."

    "The first few batches came out with no magnets left. They disintegrated, they were rusted."

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    📈 FREE 5-day course: https://xomedtech.com/free-course

    FIND SPENCER JONES ON SOCIAL
    Spencer's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/medtech-innovation/
    XO Medtech LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/xo-medtech/

    FIND ROSS PETERSON ON SOCIAL
    Ross's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ross-peterson-proplatetech/
    ProPlate Website - https://www.proplate.com/

    Episode Timestamps:
    0:00 - Introduction to Ross Peterson and ProPlate
    5:00 - Electroplating explained for fourth graders
    12:00 - Rare earth magnet challenges and supply chain
    18:00 - Life-saving pediatric esophageal atresia project
    25:00 - Working with startups vs large strategics
    30:00 - Future opportunities in electrode technology
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    35 m
  • How to develop a medical device

    How to develop a medical device
    Jul 2 2025
    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 "translators" between technical teams, regulatory bodies, and business stakeholders - it's a skill that separates leaders from individual contributorsWhy Traditional Product Development Fails in Medtech→ The waterfall approach that works in other industries creates dangerous blind spots in medtech where regulatory changes can kill projects overnight→ Jeremy's contrarian take: spend more time in the problem definition phase rather than rushing to solutions - most failed medtech products solve the wrong problem elegantly→ User research in healthcare requires a completely different approach than consumer products - you're often designing for three users: patients, clinicians, and administratorsThe Regulatory Reality Check Every Founder Needs→ FDA conversations should start 18-24 months before you think you need them - waiting until you have a "complete" product is a recipe for expensive pivots→ The Pre-Submission process is your secret weapon for getting regulatory clarity early, but most startups use it wrong by asking vague questions→ Quality systems aren't just compliance checkboxes - they're competitive advantages that enable faster iteration and better products when implemented correctlyEngineering Team Building Secrets for Medtech Startups→ The ideal early engineering hire isn't the most senior person available - it's someone who's navigated 0-to-1 product development in regulated industries→ Cross-functional collaboration skills matter more than pure technical depth because medtech requires constant coordination between engineering, regulatory, clinical, and business teams→ Remote engineering teams can work in medtech, but you need different processes for documentation and knowledge transfer due to regulatory requirementsThe Economics of Medtech Engineering Decisions→ Design for manufacturability from day one - Jeremy reveals that manufacturing constraints kill more medtech products than technical feasibility issues→ The "good enough" philosophy from software doesn't apply to medtech where incremental improvements can mean life or death for patients→ Budget 30-40% more time and resources for testing and validation than you would for non-medical devices - this isn't optional padding, it's realityNavigating the Innovation vs. Regulation Tension→ The most successful medtech companies treat regulatory strategy as a product feature, not a barrier - it becomes part of their competitive moat→ Innovation happens within constraints, not despite them - Jeremy's teams use regulatory requirements as design inspiration rather than limitations→ The biggest breakthrough opportunities exist where regulation is evolving - AI/ML in medical devices is the current frontier with massive potentialFuture-Proofing Your Medtech Engineering Career→ Learn to speak the language of business outcomes, not just technical specifications - your ability to connect engineering decisions to patient outcomes and revenue determines your ceiling→ Develop expertise in emerging areas like digital therapeutics, AI-enabled devices, and remote monitoring - these are where the growth opportunities will be→ Build relationships across the entire medtech ecosystem including regulatory consultants, clinical partners, and manufacturing specialists - your network is your net worth in this industryBest Quotes:"Most engineers think about regulatory as this thing that happens at the end. But if you're not thinking about it from day one, you're setting yourself up for failure. The FDA isn't your enemy - they're actually trying to help you build better products.""The biggest mistake I see engineering leaders make is staying in their comfort zone. You can't just be a great engineer anymore. You need to understand the business, understand the market, understand the regulatory landscape.""Quality systems aren't overhead - they're actually your competitive advantage. When you have robust processes, you can iterate faster, you can scale better, and you can respond to regulatory feedback more quickly.""Innovation doesn't happen despite constraints - it happens because of constraints. Some of our best product decisions have come from regulatory requirements that forced us to think differently."Want more insights on medtech innovation? Subscribe to the channel so ...
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    49 m
  • How to save money on patents

    How to save money on patents
    Jun 24 2025
    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 patentThe Gold Standard IP Timeline → Why smart founders do FTO studies before product development even begins → The sliding scale approach: when simple DME products don't need comprehensive IP protection → How to avoid the "caveman approach" of filing patents without strategyPatent vs. Trade Secret Strategy → When black box technologies should stay trade secret instead of being patented → How one cybersecurity company got a $50M valuation through trade secret strategy → Why software patents face court hostility and abstract rejectionsInternational Patent Protection → The counterintuitive advantages of filing PCT first instead of US provisional → How to get your patent allowed in 4-6 months using Patent Prosecution Highway → Why Track One applications are often a waste of $2,000Licensing Deal Negotiation Landmines → Why "net royalty" rates will destroy your economics (hint: $3 left from $1,000 revenue) → The power of floor pricing and volume-based escalators → How warranties and indemnification clauses can bankrupt startupsPatent Examiner Psychology → Why adversarial patent attorneys hurt your chances of getting patents allowed → The relationship-first approach that dramatically improves patent prosecution success → How to conduct interviews that actually move your case forwardThe Physician-Led Venture Revolution → How PhiCAP Fund enables physicians to be their own private equity → Why private equity acquisition of medical practices is destroying healthcare → Creating two monetizable vehicles through IP holding company structuresDue Diligence Red Flags → The licensing assumption trap that kills deals before they start → Why patent portfolios can become net negatives in M&A situations → How Inter Partes Review turned patent ownership into a liabilityBest Quotes: "If your patent strategy is 'I want to go and enforce my patents against everybody in my space,' that is a dead loser.""Most people don't realize that just because you have a license, you may not have the right to manufacture it. They may only want you to sell it.""Patent attorneys are a notoriously odd crowd. Do they sweat when they get on the phone and talk to another human being? You really don't need that type of personality when dealing with the Patent Office.""If I get assigned into a particular art unit in 3600, I'd rather just have my money back."Want more insights on medtech innovation?Subscribe to the channel so you don't miss hot takes and insider tactics from the trenches of medtech startups.🤝 Join the #1 network for medtech innovators on the internet. Become a member to accelerate your journey, collaborate and build valuable ventures. Join for free using this link.Find the perfect vendors for your medtech project for free at MedtechVendors - https://www.medtechvendors.com/📈 My FREE 5-day course for Medtech Innovators to create successful ventures: https://xomedtech.com/free-courseFIND SPENCER JONES ON SOCIAL Spencer's LinkedIn XO Medtech LinkedInFIND JOHN BEHLES ON SOCIAL John's LinkedIn Profile PhiCAP Fund WebsiteEpisode Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction to John Behles and his journey from Boeing engineer to IP attorney 3:00 - The mythology around intellectual property and why founders get it wrong 7:00 - The gold standard IP timeline: landscape first, then patentability, then filing 12:00 - When to do FTO studies and how budget drives IP strategy decisions 17:00 - PhiCAP Fund's mission to enable physician-led healthcare investing 24:00 - Red flags in IP due diligence that kill startup valuations 28:00 - Licensing agreement negotiation: avoiding the "net royalty" trap 35:00 - International patent strategy: why PCT first beats US provisional 42:00 - Patent examiner psychology and the relationship-first prosecution approach 47:00 - How IP portfolios influence M&A valuations and VC deals 52:00 - Building comprehensive IP strategies that evolve with your company 56:00 - PhiCAP Fund opportunities and IP strategy consultation offerings
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    48 m
  • How to sell your device to hospitals

    How to sell your device to hospitals
    Jun 17 2025

    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 adopt new technologies based on clinical evidence alone - peer influence networks and financial incentives drive 70% of adoption decisions
    → The "early adopter" physicians in medtech aren't the ones you think - they're typically mid-career specialists with strong hospital relationships, not academic leaders
    → Geographic clustering analysis reveals that successful medtech launches spread through specific hospital systems and regions in predictable patterns

    The Data Sources Big Medtech Doesn't Want You to Know About
    → Payor claims databases contain hidden goldmines of adoption data that small medtech companies can access for under $10K annually
    → Social media sentiment analysis of physician communities provides earlier signals than traditional market research at a fraction of the cost

    Why Most Medtech Market Strategies Fail Before Launch
    → 80% of medtech companies enter markets without understanding the reimbursement landscape complexity, leading to 2-year delays in meaningful revenue
    → Total addressable market calculations are typically inflated because companies don't account for adoption curve realities and competitive displacement
    → The biggest market entry failures happen when companies target the wrong customer segment first - going after academic medical centers instead of mid sized and community hospitals

    Best Quotes:

    "Traditional market research in medtech is like driving while looking in the rearview mirror - you're making decisions based on where the market was, not where it's going."

    "The medtech companies that will survive the next decade are the ones that treat market intelligence as a core competency, not an outsourced afterthought."

    "Real-time competitive intelligence isn't just about knowing what your competitors are doing - it's about predicting what they're going to do before they know it themselves."

    "Most medtech startups fail not because they build bad products, but because they fundamentally misunderstand how their markets actually work."

    Want more insights on medtech innovation? Subscribe to the channel so you don't miss hot takes and insider tactics from the trenches of medtech startups.

    🤝 Join the #1 network for medtech innovators on the internet. Become a member to accelerate your journey, collaborate and build valuable ventures. Join for free using this link.

    Find the perfect vendors for your medtech project for free at MedtechVendors - https://www.medtechvendors.com/

    📈 My FREE 5-day course for Medtech Innovators to create successful ventures: https://xomedtech.com/free-course

    FIND SPENCER JONES ON SOCIAL
    Spencer's LinkedIn
    XO Medtech LinkedIn

    FIND NATALIE SPENCER ON SOCIAL
    Natalie's LinkedIn Profile
    InsightHealth Consulting Website

    Episode Timestamps:
    00:00 - Introduction to market intelligence in medtech
    03:45 - Why traditional market research fails medtech startups
    08:12 - The real drivers of physician technology adoption
    14:30 - Revenue intelligence strategies that increase win rates
    19:55 - Hidden data sources for competitive advantage
    25:20 - Common market entry mistakes and how to avoid them
    31:10 - Advanced competitive intelligence tactics
    37:45 - Building internal market intelligence capabilities
    43:20 - AI and predictive analytics in medtech market research
    48:15 - Future trends in medtech competitive intelligence
    52:30 - Key takeaways and action items for medtech innovators
    55:45 - Closing thoughts and contact information
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    53 m
  • This medtech startup got acquired by Medtronic (here’s how you can do it)

    This medtech startup got acquired by Medtronic (here’s how you can do it)
    Jun 10 2025

    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
    → How demonstrating clear clinical superiority over existing titanium coating technologies landed them funding
    → How strategic partnerships with major implant manufacturers accelerated market penetration without requiring massive sales infrastructure

    Breaking Through FDA Regulatory Barriers
    → Why positioning their technology as a surface modification rather than a new device class helped secure FDA clearance
    → Demonstrating substantial equivalence while still showing enhanced performance through the 510k pathway
    → Why they showed clinical data and compared to the industry standard (and why it actually mattered)

    Future of Nanotechnology in Medical Devices
    → Surface engineering will become standard across all implantable devices, not just spinal hardware
    → Next-generation developments include drug-eluting nanosurfaces that release therapeutic compounds over time
    → AI-driven surface optimization will create patient-specific nanotopographies based on individual bone density and healing patterns

    Building Strategic Partnerships in Medtech
    → Success required finding partners who understood the long-term value proposition despite higher upfront development costs
    → International expansion focused on markets with faster regulatory pathways to prove clinical efficacy before US scaling
    → Licensing agreements include milestone-based payments tied to clinical outcomes rather than just unit sales

    Best Quotes:

    "We're not just making implants rougher - we're engineering surfaces at the molecular level to speak the same language as human bone cells."

    "The biggest mistake in medtech is thinking that better technology automatically wins. You need better outcomes, and you need to prove them."

    "Nanotechnology isn't the future of medical devices - it's happening right now. The question is whether you're going to be part of it or get left behind."

    "Surgeons don't care about your surface area calculations. They care about whether their patients are walking pain-free six months later."

    Want more insights on medtech innovation? Subscribe to the channel so you don't miss hot takes and insider tactics from the trenches of medtech startups.

    🤝 Join the #1 network for medtech innovators on the internet. Become a member to accelerate your journey, collaborate and build valuable ventures. Join for free using this link - https://xo-medtech.circle.so/join?invitation_token=3be7a91cf85779cc999d33b732b75eb3b2a28aec-df0574a8-8af4-45b4-9013-d40d0596a899

    Find the perfect vendors for your medtech project for free at MedtechVendors - https://www.medtechvendors.com/

    📈 My FREE 5-day course for Medtech Innovators to create successful ventures: https://xomedtech.com/free-course

    FIND SPENCER JONES ON SOCIAL
    Spencer's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/medtech-innovation/
    XO Medtech LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/xo-medtech

    FIND BRIAN MORE ON SOCIAL
    Brian's LinkedIn Profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-more-75526812/
    Nanovis Website - https://nanovistechnology.com/

    Episode Timestamps:
    0:00 - Introduction to Brian More and Nanovis nanotechnology breakthrough
    3:15 - The science behind nanosurface engineering for bone integration
    8:42 - Brian's transition from spine surgeon to medtech CEO
    12:30 - Early funding challenges and investor education on nanotechnology
    16:45 - FDA regulatory pathway strategy for surface modification technology
    21:20 - Manufacturing scalability challenges in nanotechnology production
    26:10 - Clinical trial results and surgeon adoption strategies
    31:55 - Partnership approach vs. direct competition with major implant companies
    37:40 - International expansion and market penetration tactics
    42:25 - Future applications of nanotechnology across medical devices
    47:15 - Drug-eluting surfaces and next-generation product development
    52:30 - AI integration for personalized nanosurface optimization
    56:45 - Key advice for medtech entrepreneurs entering competitive markets
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    45 m
  • How to design catheters (expert secrets)

    How to design catheters (expert secrets)
    Jun 3 2025
    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+ yearsThe Catheter Technology Revolution → How modern prototyping tools like Chamfer are enabling rapid iteration cycles → Why understanding fundamental processes (not just materials) unlocks true innovation → The shift from incremental improvements to disruptive catheter technologiesBreaking Down Knowledge Silos → Why the med tech industry's secretive culture actually slows innovation → How contract manufacturers become innovation accelerators through knowledge sharing → The power of "fail fast" mentalities and learning from manufacturing veteransRevolutionizing Technical Education → Creating learning experiences that work for visual thinkers and hands-on learners → Why his handbook was written for "10-year-olds" but transforms seasoned engineers → The neuroscience behind accelerated learning through micro-traumas and environmental changesAI's Role in Device Development → Using AI as "Google Maps for medical devices" - getting you 80% of the way there → Smart prompting strategies: having AI write better AI prompts for technical questions → The future of physics-based virtual environments for device testing and iterationGlobal MedTech Talent and Innovation Hubs → Why Galway, Ireland became a medtech powerhouse and lessons for emerging markets → Spotting the next generation of breakthrough companies (hint: they make their own equipment) → How personal health experiences drive the most obsessive innovatorsThe Future of Catheter Innovation → From mass production to custom medical devices printed for individual patients → Integrating fiber optic imaging to transform 2D navigation into 3D precision → Why 80-90% of procedures are just "getting the device where it needs to go"Building Ireland's Innovation Campus → Converting a pub at the foot of Croagh Patrick into an advanced R&D education space → The vision: "Walk in with an idea, walk out with your device in hand" → Augmented reality training where medical devices appear in front of youBest Quotes: "We don't want to slow down development or engineering... let us handle the quality side and not slow you down.""Ask a load of stupid questions and you will get a lot of smart answers. If you ask a very smart question, the person will probably answer it in five or ten words.""The glass ceiling that you reach today can be your floor tomorrow.""Don't be afraid of jumping into it. The way that you learn is from the failures that you've met."Want more insights on medtech innovation?Subscribe to the channel so you don't miss hot takes and insider tactics from the trenches of medtech startups.🤝 Join the #1 network for medtech innovators on the internet. Become a member to accelerate your journey, collaborate and build valuable ventures. Join for free using this link. Find the perfect vendors for your medtech project for free at MedtechVendors - https://www.medtechvendors.com/ 📈 My FREE 5-day course for Medtech Innovators to create successful ventures: https://xomedtech.com/free-courseFIND SPENCER JONES ON SOCIAL Spencer's LinkedInXO Medtech LinkedInFIND DAMIAN CARR ON SOCIAL Damian's LinkedIn ProfileEyedea MedTech Education WebsiteEpisode Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction to Damian Carr and Eyedea MedTech Education 2:30 - From childhood TB diagnosis to medtech obsession 6:00 - Why catheter technology has been stuck in incremental improvements 9:30 - How modern prototyping tools are accelerating innovation cycles 13:00 - The democratization strategy: why give away "proprietary" knowledge 18:00 - Visual learning and hands-on education methodologies 23:00 - AI's role in device development and smart prompting strategies 28:00 - Global medtech talent hubs and emerging innovation centers 33:00 - First principles for product development: fail fast, ask stupid questions 38:00 - Neuroplasticity hacks for accelerated learning at any age 43:00 - The intersection of imaging technologies and catheter interventions 47:00 - Building bottlenecks in bringing innovative designs to market 51:00 - The future R&D Masterclass tour and Ireland innovation campus vision 56:00 - Final advice: make friends with suppliers and never stop being curious
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    53 m
  • This is how AI will change medtech (and how you can take advantage)

    This is how AI will change medtech (and how you can take advantage)
    Apr 29 2025

    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 make an impact (hint: it's not where you think)
    → Back office operations as the first true breakthrough applications
    → Why corporate policies may be limiting innovation and productivity

    Healthcare's Innovation Paradox
    → How the most innovative industry can simultaneously resist change
    → Why startups outside the traditional venture model have the advantage
    → Partnering strategies that leverage the high velocity of medtech sales

    The Future of Healthcare Training
    → Why traditional educational approaches fall short for emerging tech
    → The power of contextualized, hands-on learning in just one day
    → How Gen Z's hunger for AI mastery offers lessons for executives

    First-Principles Redesign of Healthcare
    → Three fundamental changes to reimagine healthcare systems
    → Breaking distribution strongholds and creating healthcare "app stores"
    → Why hospital innovation sandboxes need more favorable terms

    AI Implementation & Regulation
    → Navigating FDA oversight of AI and robotic technologies
    → The need for expert-driven regulatory frameworks that move at technology speed
    → Using AI to help regulate AI more effectively

    Best Quotes:
    "People don't buy AI. They're buying a solution to a problem. The real value comes from businesses with a core product that's not AI-focused but solves a very niche, high pain point—and then AI is integrated in a very seamless way."

    "In healthcare, we're in the business of caring for patients. If it doesn't move outcomes, it doesn't matter. You could talk all the AI fluff you want, but if you're not moving outcomes, no one really cares."

    "Moonshot programming is one day, team-based, and hands-on because that's where the fun and retention comes in. Learning should not be boring. Our education system is broken where they make it feel like a drag."

    Want more insights on medtech innovation?
    Press the subscribe button to unpack hot takes and insider tactics from the trenches of medtech startups.

    📈 My FREE 5-day course for Medtech Innovators to create successful ventures: https://xomedtech.com/free-course

    🤝 Join the #1 network for medtech innovators on the internet. Become a member to accelerate your journey, collaborate and build valuable ventures.

    Try 7-days completely free: https://xo-medtech.circle.so/checkout/xo-membership

    FIND SPENCER JONES ON SOCIAL
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/medtech-innovation/
    XO Medtech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xo-medtech

    FIND SANTOSH IYER ON SOCIAL
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santoshliyer/
    Moonshot: https://www.moonshothealth.org/

    Episode Timestamps:
    00:00 - Introduction to Santosh Iyer and Moonshot
    02:00 - Moonshot's mission to train the modern healthcare workforce
    06:00 - The real breakthrough applications of AI in healthcare
    11:00 - Corporate policies blocking AI tool adoption
    15:00 - State economic development and workforce training
    20:00 - Avoiding "AI washing" in medtech marketing
    26:00 - Healthcare's innovation paradox and startup strategies
    30:00 - Marketing challenges specific to healthcare
    36:00 - First principles redesign of healthcare systems
    38:20 - The FDA's handling of AI and robotic technologies
    42:09 - Using AI to help regulate AI more effectively
    44:20 - Lessons from high school students that executives should learn
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    49 m
  • This surgeon built a $10M medtech startup as the Chief of Shoulder Surgery at Duke

    This surgeon built a $10M medtech startup as the Chief of Shoulder Surgery at Duke
    Apr 15 2025

    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 repairs
    → Designing for surgeon efficiency, patient outcomes, and health system value

    Navigating the Regulatory and Testing Landscape
    → Strategic approach to FDA submissions
    → Planning post-approval clinical studies to validate outcomes
    → Balancing biomechanical testing with clinical validation

    Building the Right Partnerships
    → Finding and vetting development partners
    → Overcoming product design challenges
    → The critical importance of early collaboration

    Funding Strategy for Medtech Success
    → Milestone-based funding approaches
    → Targeting different investor groups with tailored messaging
    → Managing dilution while maintaining competitive valuation

    Best Quotes:
    "There's gotta be a better way to do this... from a first principle standpoint, I just felt that fixing a tendon to a bone should not be that hard."

    "For investors, it's more focused on the opportunity, the revenue targets, how we separate ourselves from other competitors in the market and our unique advantages."

    "I think the next 12 months are going to be very exciting. And I have a strong feeling that we're going to impact how we think about tendon repairs permanently."

    Want more insights on medtech innovation?

    Press the subscribe button to unpack hot takes and insider tactics from the trenches of medtech startups.

    📈 My FREE 5-day course for Medtech Innovators to create successful ventures: https://xomedtech.com/free-course

    🤝 Join the #1 network for medtech innovators on the internet. Become a member to accelerate your journey, collaborate and build valuable ventures. Try 7-days completely free: https://xo-medtech.circle.so/checkout/xo-membership

    FIND SPENCER JONES ON SOCIAL
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-jones-5a008672/
    XO Medtech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/xo-medtech

    FIND DR. OKE ANAKWENZE ON SOCIAL
    LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/oke-a-anakwenze-md-mba-1a5b677a
    SutureTech: https://www.linkedin.com/company/suturetech/

    Episode Timestamps:
    0:00 - Introduction to Dr. Oke Anakwenze
    2:43 - Journey into Medicine and Orthopedic Surgery
    5:38 - The Origins of Innovation in Tendon Repair
    8:18 - Introducing RapidFix: The World's First All-Suture Staple
    10:34 - Building the Economic Value Proposition for Hospitals
    14:49 - Planning Clinical Studies and FDA Submission Strategy
    18:28 - Overcoming the Darkest Moments in Product Development
    21:28 - Finding the Right Manufacturing and Development Partners
    24:32 - Balancing a Surgical Career with Entrepreneurship
    27:13 - Navigating Intellectual Property and Academic Institutions
    32:13 - Crafting Effective Investor Pitches for Different Stakeholders
    38:29 - Strategic Funding Approaches for Medical Device Startups
    42:56 - Key Advice for Aspiring Medtech Entrepreneurs
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    39 m