J&J’s Schmid, Stanford’s Makower on helping MedTech find a higher gear for innovation and growth
In this episode of DeviceTalks Weekly, we hear from two of MedTech’s most powerful leaders, each representing different ends of the innovation timeline. Tim Schmid, executive vice president and worldwide chairman of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, lays out the global leaders plan to lead in cardiovascular, surgery, vision, surgical robotics and other high growth businesses. Schmid opened our DeviceTalks West conference last month where he was interviewed by Host Tom Salemi.
Thank you to Vantedge Medical for sponsoring this episode. For more information on how Vantedge works with medical device companies, visit: https://vantedgemedical.com/
Then, Josh Makower, the Yock Family Professor and professor of bioengineering at the Stanford Mussallem Center for Biodesign sits down in a FOMO interview with Managing Editor Kayleen Brown. Makower, a battle-tested advocate for MedTech innovators, writes a prescription for helping start-ups, calling on OEMs to provide more support. Makower also keynoted the event.
MassDevice editor Chris Newmarker kicks things off with this week’s Newmarker’s Newsmakers – Stryker, Boston Scientific, Siemens Healthineers, Medtronic, Solventum, Abbott and Exact Sciences.
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Chapters
(00:04:35) - Stryker VP, GM for Robotics and Enabling Technologies is departing(00:06:16) - Boston Scientific, Siemens Healthineers ink 4D ICE catheter development deal(00:08:23) - Do we have bubbles in MedTech?(00:11:26) - Medtronic has a strong Q2 beat on PFA strength(00:16:01) - Solventum to acquire soft tissue repair company Acera Surgical, repurchase $1B in shares(00:18:20) - Abbott confirms plans to acquire Exact Sciences for $21B(00:26:26) - Vantedge Medical – How to Recruit and Retain Talent(00:28:29) - FOMO with Josh Makower - Stanford Mussallem Center for Biodesign(00:37:08) - Vantedge Medical – The importance of metals(00:42:27) - Interview with Tim Schmid, Johnson & Johnson MedTech(00:51:31) - Vantedge Medical – Supply chain concerns
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How Enovis is accelerating orthopedic recovery with bone stimulation and patient-centered innovation
In this episode of Ortho Innovation Talks, host Tom Salemi sits with Brad Batte, President of Enovis™ Regeneration, to discuss how the division is transforming post-operative recovery through bone growth stimulation. He also discusses at-home device compliance, clinical outcomes, and how Enovis is expanding its innovation pipeline to support patients across the full continuum of care.
This episode is brought to you by DeviceTalks Tuesdays. Join us for a free week-long webinar series: DeviceTalks "Materials & Manufacturing."
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Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe
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Noah Medical’s clear vision for pulmonary bronchoscopy; FOMO: The true costs of MedTech tariffs
In this episode of the DeviceTalks Weekly podcast, Jian Zheng, founder and CEO of Noah Medical, has found entrepreneurial success in robotics, medical devices and a companies that combine both including Intuitive and Auris.
Now, Zheng leads Noah Medical, a robotic bronchoscopy company that’s trying to develop a superior way of diagnosing and treating lung cancer. How does Noah see itself beating Johnson & Johnson MedTech and Intuitive in this competitive space? What areas could Noah focus on next? And where how did the company get the Noah name?
Host Tom Salemi asks these questions and more.
In this week’s FOMO, Sonia Valdes, vice president of life sciences claims at Medmarc, reveals some of the unseen risks and unintended benefits facing the medical device industry coping with new tariffs on medical device imports.
Finally, Chris Newmaker of MassDevice delivers this week’s Newsmakers – Synchron, InBrain, Inspire Medical, Zimmer Biomet, and Olympus.
This episode comes to you courtesy of Medmarc. To learn more, visit: https://medmarc.com/
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Enjoy the show? Follow us on YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode. Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe
Chapters
(00:05:43) - Synchron raises $200M Series D to support BCI commercialization, next-gen tech(00:08:30) - InBrain, Microsoft team up on AI for neurology, BCI tech(00:11:40) - Inspire Medical faces investor class action over Inspire V launch allegations(00:13:28) - Deloitte accuses Zimmer Biomet of filing ‘through the looking glass’ suit(00:16:18) - Olympus to cut 2,000 jobs as it unveils new corporate strategy, executive additions(00:23:45) - FOMO – Sonia Valdes, vice president, life sciences claims, Medmarc(00:35:15) - Keynote Interview – Jian Zhang, CEO, Noah Medical
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Reimagining GI with AI: Olympus’ Blended Intelligence Approach to Burnout Relief & Patient Safety
Artificial Intelligence is transforming healthcare—and Olympus is at the forefront. In this episode, Chief Digital Officer Slawek Kierner and Director of Marketing, GI Digital Solutions Neviana Terzieva share their journeys into medtech and discuss how Olympus is integrating AI into endoscopy, clinical decision-making, and workflow optimization.
Chapter 1: Meet the Guests
Slawek Kierner and Neviana Terzieva discuss their backgrounds in software, healthcare, and digital innovation, and what drew them to Olympus.
Chapter 2: Defining AI in MedTech
What does “AI” really mean for medical devices?
How AI supports the quintuple aim: better outcomes, lower costs, improved experiences, increased access, and reduced burnout.
Chapter 3: Blended Intelligence & Burnout
The concept of “blended intelligence”-- AI as a complement to human expertise.
Chapter 4: Olympus® Technologies in Action
Spotlight on EDOF™ scopes, CADDIE™ polyp detection software, and the OLYSENSE™ platform.
Real-world examples of AI enhancing clarity, precision, and detection rates in GI procedures.
Chapter 5: Clinical Impact & Physician Reception
How AI augments, not replaces, clinical decision-making.
Physician perspectives on adopting new technology and maintaining high standards of care.
Chapter 6: The Future of AI at Olympus
Vision for saving lives, supporting detection rates, and empowering healthcare teams.
For more episodes by OlympusTalks, please visit olympusamerica.com/podcasts.
This podcast has been paid for by Olympus Corporation of the Americas.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Meet OLYSENSE™ -- Olympus’ intelligent endoscopy platform powered by AI: https://medical.olympusamerica.com/olysense
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Medtronic’s Kowal describes an exciting future and new applications for cardiac pacing devices
In this episode of DeviceTalks Weekly, Host Tom Salem welcomes back Rob Kowal, MD, VP and general manager, cardiac pacing at Medtronic. You’ll hear how Dr. Kowal grew into the new role as business leader and gain a stronger appreciation for Medtronic’s flagship cardiac pacing business. Smaller devices and new innovation are helping to find new ways to deploy cardiac pacing. How else can cardiac pacing devices save lives?
Dr. Kowal previously appeared on MedtronicTalks when he was vice president, medical affairs and CMO of cardiac rhythm and heart failure. Find the MedtronicTalks Podcast here - https://www.devicetalks.com/learn-how-medtronic-is-moving-to-mark-arctic-front-a-first-line-treatment-for-atrial-fibrillation/
Thank you to Confluent Medical Technologies for sponsoring this episode of DeviceTalks Weekly. To learn how their material science technologies and high performance manufacturing help bring your medical device designs to life go to ConfluentMedical.com or nitinol.com.
MedTech Analyst Chrystal Larsen joins MassDevice Editor Chris Newmarker and Salemi on this week’s newsmakers. Before diving into the week’s top MedTech Stories, Larsen discusses the debut of MassDevice’s MedTech Market Reports on Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Market. You can find more information about the report here: https://www.massdevice.com/product/continuous-glucose-monitoring-cgm-market/
Top newsmakers of the week are Aqua Medical, Coherence Neuro, Medtronic, Smith & Nephew, and Zimmer Biomet.
Thanks for listening to DeviceTalks Weekly.
***
Enjoy the show? Follow us on YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode.
Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe
Chapters
(00:00:00) - New DeviceTalks Podcast!(00:09:10) - New MassDevice Report(00:20:21) - MassDevice’s Newmarker’s Newsmakers(00:35:14) - Confluent Medical’s Impact on MedTech(00:37:47) - Keynote conversation with Rob Kowal, MD, VP and general manager, cardiac pacing, Medtronic
The DeviceTalks Podcast Network is the ultimate destination for all things #MedTech. By subscribing to this single feed, you’ll gain access to every podcast in our diverse and growing portfolio—more than a dozen unique shows featuring senior leaders, groundbreaking technology insights, and in-depth discussions on the most important topics in the medical device industry.
Each episode dives deep into critical areas like business strategy, market trends, surgical robotics, orthopedics, structural heart, neurology, and beyond. You’ll hear from leading voices at top companies—ranging from major OEMs to innovative startups—sharing their solutions, stories, and strategies for tackling the industry’s biggest challenges.
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