Med Tech Gurus

What if getting breakthrough devices to the right patients wasn't a guessing game — but a data-driven science? In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Mike Monovoukas, CEO and Co-Founder of AcuityMD, one of the fastest-growing platforms in MedTech. Mike shares how his team is turning mountains of messy healthcare data into clear, actionable insights — helping innovators pinpoint the right physicians, facilities, and patient populations, and transforming how devices reach the people who need them most. We explore how AcuityMD is powering precision targeting through AI, why democratizing market intelligence helps level the playing field for new entrants, and how smarter commercialization can unlock access for underserved communities — including their work helping EPI bring the Alpha-Stim device to veterans struggling with pain, insomnia, and anxiety. From designing platforms built specifically for MedTech, to making complex data simple for frontline sales teams, to reshaping how companies scale, Mike delivers a masterclass in building for the future of commercialization — where evidence, empathy, and AI come together.

What if the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement isn't political noise—but a powerful signal that patient expectations are fundamentally changing? In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Noël Theodosiou, CEO of Luminous, to explore the growing trust gap between life sciences companies and the patients they serve. Noël challenges leaders to move beyond a traditional "we know best" mindset and embrace a biopsychosocial, patient-centered approach to innovation. From GLP-1 adoption trends to AI-driven health searches, we discuss why co-creation, prevention, and clearer separation between science and promotion are critical to rebuilding credibility. For founders, executives, and investors navigating today's shifting healthcare landscape, this conversation delivers practical insight into aligning innovation with modern patient expectations.

In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Dr. Adam S. Arthur, Chief Medical Officer for Medtronic's Neurovascular business — and one of the most influential voices in modern stroke care. With more than 20 years as a practicing neurosurgeon, clinical researcher, and academic leader, Dr. Arthur has helped redefine standards of care for ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, carotid disease, and neurovascular innovation worldwide. Now at Medtronic, he's leading the charge to translate real-world clinical insight into breakthrough devices that scale — from next-generation thrombectomy tools to new applications for established technologies like Onyx, and a pipeline of neurostimulation, robotics, and endovascular therapies that promise to change what's possible for brain health. Dr. Arthur shares powerful lessons from decades of clinical trials, including why "the devil is in the details," how honest collaboration between physicians and industry accelerates innovation, and why failing fast is often the quickest path to breakthroughs. He also offers an exciting look at the future: remote robotics, closed-loop vagus nerve stimulation, and new ways to reach stroke patients with life-saving precision. If you care about the future of stroke care, neurovascular devices, or scaling innovation responsibly, this episode delivers a masterclass from one of the field's true thought leaders.

In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we're joined by John Dugas and Dr. Kevin Schwarz of Solventum Medical—two leaders pushing wearable innovation into its next era. With expertise spanning chemical engineering, materials science, synthetic biology, and global R&D, John and Kevin show how truly breakthrough wearables demand far more than clever sensors. They require world-class adhesives, smart overlays, skin-friendly materials, and device designs that survive real life—not just the lab. They explain why longer wear time is becoming one of the biggest drivers of clinical success, how thin-film overlays can quadruple device survivability, and why understanding patient behavior is just as important as engineering excellence. From global scale to skin biomechanics, this episode delivers a powerful look at what it really takes to build wearables that stay on, stay comfortable, and stay effective. If you're building the next generation of chronic disease tools, diagnostics, or connected care devices — this conversation is packed with insights you won't want to miss.

In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we welcome Neil Klompas, Chief Executive Officer of Augurex Life Sciences. With more than two decades of experience leading companies at the intersection of diagnostics, rheumatology, and translational medicine, Neil is pioneering a new era of autoimmune biomarker discovery. Under his leadership, Augurex developed SpineStat, the world's first blood test designed to identify axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA)—a chronic inflammatory spinal disease that affects millions yet often goes undiagnosed for nearly a decade. By leveraging the anti-14-3-3η autoantibody in combination with CRP, SpineStat is helping clinicians detect disease earlier, prevent irreversible spinal damage, and even reduce opioid dependence through faster, targeted treatment. Neil shares how engaging early with regulators helped Augurex earn FDA Breakthrough Device Designation, why he believes rheumatology is poised for its "oncology moment," and how keeping his team centered on the patient journey drives innovation every day. If you're passionate about precision diagnostics, regulatory navigation, and building mission-driven teams, this episode is a masterclass in turning unmet medical need into measurable clinical impact.

What if the next medical breakthrough could be undone—not by biology—but by a hacker? In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Christian Espinosa, CEO and Founder of Blue Goat Cyber, a leading medical device cybersecurity consultancy helping innovators protect patients by securing the technology behind modern healthcare. With over 30 years of experience spanning the U.S. Air Force, Department of Defense, and MedTech industry, Christian brings a rare perspective on precision, resilience, and empathy in cybersecurity After a personal health scare revealed vulnerabilities in his own implanted device, Christian turned mission into movement—founding Blue Goat Cyber to transform cybersecurity from a regulatory afterthought into a strategic advantage Christian shares how patient safety—not data protection—must be the heart of every cybersecurity strategy, why "bolting on" security late in development can derail innovation, and how emotional intelligence drives his leadership in high-stakes medtech environments. Whether you're a startup founder, RA/QA leader, or healthcare executive, this episode delivers powerful lessons on building trust, protecting patients, and creating a culture where security saves lives.

What if artificial intelligence could spot hospital-acquired infections days before symptoms appear? In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Benedikt von Thüngen, CEO and Co-Founder of Sanome, a company redefining hospital care through AI-powered clinical decision support. After enduring profound personal and professional loss, including the collapse of his seed round and the death of loved ones, Benedikt rebuilt his company around one mission—helping clinicians understand patients earlier and intervene faster Under his leadership, Sanome became the first UK-based AI company to earn Class IIb certification for HAI prediciton. Its Memory Platform predicting infections up to 72 hours sooner than conventional methods with the potential to save each NHS Trust over £1.1 million per year. Benedikt shares a powerful story of resilience, transparency, and innovation—proving that when data, determination, and purpose align, technology can truly save lives.

What if the key to saving lives in maternal health wasn't more hospital visits—but smarter, connected care at home? In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Anish Sebastian, Co-Founder and CEO of BabyScripts, the leading virtual care platform transforming how mothers and providers navigate pregnancy. Built from both analytics and empathy, BabyScripts bridges one of healthcare's most critical gaps—access to consistent, quality prenatal and postpartum care Under Anish's leadership, BabyScripts has raised over $30 million in funding from partners like Philips and Cigna, now managing over 300,000 pregnancies across more than 70 health systems. From detecting preeclampsia early to supporting mental health and postpartum recovery, the platform delivers measurable results—proving that technology and teamwork can make pregnancy safer for every mother. Anish shares his insights on scaling digital health, building strategic partnerships, and leveraging AI to expand maternal care equity. Whether you're an entrepreneur, innovator, or clinician, this episode reveals how connected technology can deliver life-changing outcomes at scale.

What if we could take the guesswork out of cancer treatment—and move from try and hope to test and know? In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Jim Foote, CEO and Founder of First Ascent Biomedical, whose mission began after losing his son to cancer. That experience became the driving force behind Functional Precision Medicine (FPM)—a groundbreaking approach that combines tumor testing, genomics, and AI to rank the most effective drugs for each patient in just ten days Backed by a Nature Medicine study showing an 83% patient benefit rate, First Ascent is proving that personalization saves lives. With automation reducing lab times from hours to minutes and new CLIA-certified labs accelerating access, Jim and his team are reshaping how cancer care is delivered. From building trust with clinicians to leading through loss, Jim shares a powerful story of innovation, resilience, and purpose that every medtech leader can learn from.

What if trauma care didn't require a full surgical team or a giant toolbox to save lives in critical moments? In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, Dr. Adam Power, vascular surgeon and co-founder of Frontline Medical Technologies, takes us inside the development of the COBRA-OS—an ultra-simplified REBOA device that's transforming trauma care. From war zones to rural communities, Dr. Power explains how miniaturization and smart design make this innovation faster, safer, and more accessible—without sacrificing patient outcomes. We discuss the challenges of commercialization, academic innovation, and the evolving role of physicians as entrepreneurs. Gurus, this episode is a masterclass in turning front-line insight into global impact. Don't miss it!

What if the missing link in treating autoimmune disease wasn't a new drug—but a better way to measure stress? In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Dr. Andrew Holman, CEO of Inmedix and the innovator behind CloudHRV, the first FDA-cleared platform to measure stress biology with medical-grade precision .At a time when 75% of autoimmune treatments fail—costing billions and leaving patients without answers—CloudHRV delivers actionable insights in just five minutes reframing how clinicians think about chronic disease. Dr. Holman takes us inside his two-decade journey building Inmedix, from early IP strategy to securing partnerships with global pharma. Along the way, he shares lessons on leveraging licensing as a growth strategy, building a culture of innovation, and aligning science, business, and patient care in the pursuit of transformative healthcare solutions. Whether you're a founder, investor, or clinician, this conversation will reshape how you think about precision medicine and the future of patient-centered innovation.

What happens when one of the toughest challenges in vascular medicine—severe arterial calcification—meets breakthrough engineering? In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Dr. Robert Chisena, Co-Founder and CTO of Amplitude Vascular Systems (AVS). With a PhD in mechanical engineering and a portfolio of five patents, Robert has dedicated his career to tackling one of the most stubborn barriers in cardiovascular health: hardened arterial blockages that resist traditional interventions. From the labs at the University of Michigan to the founding of AVS, Robert shares how he and his team are developing a next-generation intravascular lithotripsy platform designed to fracture calcium safely and effectively—combining the familiarity of angioplasty with the power of shockwave technology. Along the way, he offers lessons on building IP-rich startups, fostering innovation cultures, securing clinical adoption, and navigating the high-stakes path from spinout to commercialization Whether you're an engineer, entrepreneur, or investor in medtech, this conversation shines a light on the strategies, setbacks, and breakthroughs required to transform a complex clinical challenge into a scalable, life-saving solution.

What if solving a widespread medical condition didn't require surgery, expensive implants, or harsh medications—but could be done by simply putting on a sock? In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Isaac Oppenheim, CEO and Founder of Zida, a company pioneering wearable neuromodulation at the intersection of aging, textiles, and healthcare. Inspired by his grandfather's struggle with overactive bladder (OAB), Isaac developed the Zida Control Sock—the first FDA-cleared, Medicare-covered, home-use neuromodulation device for OAB. From his early career in textiles and wearable tech with brands like Nike and Lululemon, to navigating FDA clearance and CMS reimbursement without institutional capital, Isaac's journey shows what happens when design thinking, perseverance, and patient-centered innovation come together. Clinical trials show nearly 80% success rates, giving millions of patients renewed confidence, independence, and quality of life Whether you're an entrepreneur building medtech from scratch, a clinician seeking better therapies for aging populations, or an innovator curious about the future of neuromodulation, this episode is packed with lessons on resilience, creativity, and making healthcare more human.

What happens when groundbreaking medtech isn't enough—when success depends on how well physicians and health plans actually adopt it? In this episode of Med Tech Gurus, we sit down with Dr. Shannon Decker, PhD, MBA, M.Ed., Founder & CEO of VBC1. With over 25 years of experience in healthcare transformation—including 17 years in Medicare, Medicaid, quality improvement, and risk adjustment—Shannon has become a nationally recognized strategist on aligning medical devices with real-world provider workflows. From helping health plans and physician groups improve outcomes, to showing medtech innovators why the best devices still fail without strong provider enablement, Shannon shares hard-earned lessons on education, incentives, and adoption. She explains how startups can avoid costly mistakes, when to engage with clinicians, and why intrinsic motivation often drives lasting change more than financial incentives. Whether you're a startup CEO, a commercial leader, or a clinician navigating the shift to value-based care, this conversation delivers a playbook for turning innovation into impact