Let’s Talk Medtech

In this episode of Let's Talk MedTech, host Omar Ford sits down with Rogério (Roko) de Bernardis, Global President of Soft Tissue Robotics at Johnson & Johnson MedTech, to discuss the recent FDA De Novo authorization of the Ottava robotic surgical system.

The two dive into Ottava's origin story — from its roots in a Verily Life Sciences partnership to years of acquisitions and internal development — and explore how J&J is positioning the system not just as a single device, but as an expanding ecosystem spanning advanced instrumentation, digital integration through Polyphonic, and future automation and AI capabilities.

De Bernardis also outlines J&J's roadmap for new indications beyond the initial ten approved procedures, including an ongoing inguinal hernia trial and future expansion into urology and gynecology, as well as plans to bring Ottava to markets in Europe and Asia.

The conversation closes with a candid look at the broader robotic-assisted surgery market — still only 9% globally penetrated — and what it will take for J&J to compete with established players like Intuitive Surgical, plus a breakdown of what makes Ottava's compact, table-integrated design and automation-ready architecture stand apart.

Join us as we sit down with Quentin Blackford, CEO of iRhythm Technologies, for an exclusive conversation that dives deep into the seismic shifts reshaping cardiac monitoring.

🔥 What's on the table?

Blackford pulls back the curtain on iRhythm's plan to acquire VitalConnect. Discover the vision behind this bold expansion and what it means for the future of remote patient monitoring.

But that's just the beginning. We're exploring how cutting-edge AI technology is supercharging the legendary Zio Patch, transforming raw cardiac data into life-saving insights.

Blackford opens up about iRhythm's recovery from a recent cyberattack—sharing hard-won lessons on resilience, security, and what it takes to bounce back stronger than ever in today's digital healthcare landscape.

This is the conversation everyone in medtech will be talking about. Don't miss it!

🎧 Let's Talk Medtech — where innovation meets insight.

In this episode of Let's Talk Medtech, Jim Hollingshead, CEO of BVI, joins host Omar Ford to discuss his fascinating career journey and his vision for transforming eye surgery through cutting-edge medical technology.

In this episode, we sit down with Logan McKnight, the founder of GoodKnight Consulting, to explore her nearly 20-year journey through the medtech industry—from neuromonitoring and spinal devices to witnessing groundbreaking innovations like intraoperative imaging transform the operating room.

After stepping down as CEO in 2023, she launched her consulting practice with a mission: bridging the persistent disconnect between corporate teams and field sales that prevents medtech companies from reaching their full potential.

We dive into why communication breakdowns and siloed thinking plague the industry, how she helps small-to-medium-sized companies build unified leadership cultures, and the critical moment when founders must let go of control to scale successfully.

Whether you're navigating post-commercial growth, struggling with team alignment, or wondering when to bring in outside expertise, this conversation offers honest insights into what it really takes to turn innovative medical devices into market success.

Tariffs, consolidation, and inflation are transforming medical device manufacturing. Wipfli's Cara Walton discusses how these industry trends are reshaping production processes and what medtech companies can do to stay ahead.

In just the past two months, Stryker, Intuitive Surgical, and Medtronic – three of the world's Top 100 Medical Device companies – have faced cyberattacks.

Why are medtech companies becoming prime targets for hackers? What makes medical devices so vulnerable? And how is the FDA responding?

In this episode of Let's Talk Medtech, Naomi Schwartz, VP of Regulatory Strategy at Medcrypt, breaks down:

✅ The anatomy of recent cyberattacks on leading medtech firms

✅ Why hackers are targeting the medical device industry

✅ What these breaches mean for patient safety and data security

✅ FDA's new cybersecurity requirements and what companies must do now

Discover how iRhythm is changing arrhythmia detection and patient care with CFO Daniel Wilson. In this episode of "Let's Talk MedTech," we explore the groundbreaking Zio monitor, a wearable device that uses FDA-cleared AI to provide continuous 14-day heart monitoring.

Learn how iRhythm Technologies is addressing the challenges of undiagnosed arrhythmias, expanding into primary care, and even venturing into sleep disorder diagnostics.

With nearly 3 million patients served annually and more than 140 peer-reviewed studies, iRhythm is at the forefront of predictive healthcare. Subscribe for more insights into the medical device and diagnostics industry! #MedTech #iRhythm #AI #Wearables #HealthcareInnovation

Holley Miller, founder and President of Grey Matter Marketing, is our guest on this episode of Let's Talk Medtech to discuss why it's so crucial to have the right message for your product.

Join Marissa Fayer, CEO of HerHealthEQ and DeepLook Medical, as she explores the future of women's health and what it could look like in 2026 in this insightful episode of Let's Talk Medtech.

Augurex is a commercial-stage diagnostics company dedicated to the early identification and diagnosis of autoimmune disorders, enabling the optimization and personalization of treatment options for patients.

Neil Klompas, the firm’s CEO, joins us for this episode of Let’s Talk Medtech to discuss how the company aims to accelerate the diagnosis of the disease and enhance autoimmune diagnostics for patients.

Surgical robotics is changing the landscape in healthcare. Stereotaxis is hoping to carve out its niche in the massive space, which is home to Intuitive Surgical, Johnson & Johnson, and Medtronic.

David Fischel, the St. Louis, MO-based company’s chairman and CEO, is featured in this episode of Let’s Talk Medtech to discuss Stereotaxis’ journey from surviving to thriving. The firm recently secured $50 million in funding and has had strong collaborations with NVIDIA.

Fischel talks about the company’s game plan and his thoughts on the future of surgical robotics.

Audacity is defined as the willingness to take bold risks. It’s also a mantra for Lishan Aklog, MD, a co-founder and CEO PavMed, the parent company of Lucid Diagnostics. Aklog makes his second appearance on Let’s Talk Medtech to give updates on both companies and to discuss his philosophy on why audacity breeds innovation.

Join us for an insightful episode of Let's Talk Medtech, featuring EY's experts John Babitt and Arda Ural. Our guests delve into EY's latestPulse of the Medtech Industry Report. They take a deep dive into the state of the medtech industry, examining whether the sector is thriving and assessing the real-world impact of tariffs on medical device companies.

Discover which medtech segment is experiencing explosive growth right now and learn why mid-tier companies are gaining unprecedented momentum in the marketplace. From industry health assessments to emerging market trends, this episode delivers essential insights for anyone invested in the future of medical technology.

Don't miss this comprehensive discussion that addresses the most pressing questions shaping today's medtech landscape.

Welcome back to Let's Talk Medtech, where we're joined by returning guest Paul Grand, CEO of MedTech Innovator, for an essential conversation on securing capital in the medical technology space.

In this value-packed episode, Paul reveals why successful fundraising requires a comprehensive, holistic approach rather than a narrow focus. He maps out proven strategies for medtech startups to attract and secure investment at various stages of development, drawing from his extensive experience in the industry.

Paul also shares remarkable insights into how MedTech Innovator has successfully connected over 700 promising companies with investors, helping transform innovative ideas into market-ready healthcare solutions.

Whether you're a medtech entrepreneur seeking funding, an investor looking for opportunities, or simply interested in the business of medical innovation, this episode delivers actionable wisdom from one of the industry's most respected voices.

Subscribe to Let's Talk Medtech for more expert conversations on navigating the complex world of medical technology development and commercialization.

In this episode of Let's Talk Medtech, AngioDynamics CEO James Clemmer shares insights into what has been a transformative year for the medical device company across multiple therapeutic areas.

Clemmer highlighted several significant achievements that have strengthened the company's position in both oncology and vascular care. He also describes how a crucial pivot helped redefine AngioDynamics.

MD+DI Senior Editor Amanda Pedersen breaks down the most significant mid-year trends shaping the medical device industry in this insightful episode of Let's Talk Medtech. Get her expert analysis on market developments, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies that are transforming healthcare innovation.

Whether you're a medical device professional, healthcare provider, or industry investor, this episode delivers valuable insights to help you navigate the evolving medtech landscape. Subscribe for regular updates on industry news, expert interviews, and in-depth analysis of the technologies revolutionizing patient care.

In a significant industry move this February, Baxter completed the sale of its kidney care business to The Carlyle Group, creating Vantive—a company now experiencing a unique balance of established expertise and newfound agility.

CEO Chris Toth recently shared Vantive's ambitious vision, highlighting the firm's commitment to investing over $1 billion in digitally-enabled kidney care solutions. Toth discussed how this strategic separation has empowered the company to maintain its valuable legacy while gaining the flexibility to execute decisions more rapidly.

During the conversation, Toth also offered personal insights into his role as a medtech CEO and shared his deep passion for Vantive's mission to transform kidney care.

In this insightful podcast episode,Dr. Martha Morrell, CMO of NeuroPace, shares her transformative journey from academia to pioneering a revolutionary treatment for epilepsy. The RNS System, inspired by cardiac devices, offers targeted stimulation to the brain, tailoring interventions to each patient's needs. Dr. Morrell discusses the challenges and triumphs of steering such an innovation to FDA approval. Her story highlights the intersection of expertise, perseverance, and multi-disciplinary collaboration in MedTech, setting a new precedent for epilepsy treatment.

Peter Shen leads the Digital & Automation business at Siemens Healthineers North America. With over 25 years of experience in healthcare digitalization, he has held several executive management roles across sales, marketing, and innovation, with a focus on driving the adoption of new and emerging technologies. Notably, Peter has testified before Congress multiple times, advocating for the benefits of AI and championing new federal healthcare reimbursement policies. Find out what he has to say about Siemens Healthineers using AI to help enrich patients’ lives in this all-new episode of Let’s Talk Medtech.

In this episode of Let's Talk MedTech, Omar chats with Jijo James, Chief Medical Officer for Johnson & Johnson MedTech and Interventional Oncology. James shares insights into J&J's commitment to patient safety, discussing how the company combines clinical safety, safety science, and bioethics to ensure safe and effective outcomes for patients. He highlights the importance of the operator in medical device procedures and how J&J is improving safety through innovative tools like the device briefing tool. James also discusses the challenges of device-related interruptions during surgeries, emphasizing the need for better communication and proactive strategies to avoid complications. This is a fascinating conversation for anyone interested in healthcare innovation and patient safety in the medtech industry!