Send a text

This episode explores what proof of concept really means in medical device development — and why the hardest problems at this stage are rarely technical. It's for clinician innovators, engineers, and anyone navigating the gap between a promising idea and a product that can survive the real world.

The episode draws on perspectives from surgeons, engineers, and founders across multiple active med tech ventures. Together they walk through three questions that define this stage: what must be proven before an idea earns credibility, which assumptions survive first contact with reality, and how much uncertainty can exist before progress starts to stall. The answers are more nuanced than most innovation frameworks acknowledge.

What emerges is a clear picture of why proof of concept is less about building something and more about discipline — defining requirements, testing assumptions early, and being honest about what breaks. Whether you're developing an implant, a drug delivery system, a VR patient education tool, or an imaging platform, the logic is the same: ideas that survive this stage do so because the team was willing to find the failure modes before they became expensive ones.

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and series context

01:26 Meet the innovators

03:41 What proof of concept actually requires

05:34 Why project plans are not just management overhead

08:36 Defining measurable success before you build

10:14 How large organizations evaluate proof of concept

11:37 When the engineering works but the system doesn't

13:33 Iteration as risk reduction

15:14 Moving from sophisticated to workable

16:22 Managing uncertainty without eliminating it

17:19 How market research reshapes feasibility assumptions

18:31 When scalability breaks the first prototype

19:08 The cadaver lab moment that validated the concept

20:55 Answering the three questions

23:06 What this stage is really protecting you from

Listen to the AHF Podcast on your preferred platform:

Buzzsprout: https://ahfpodcast.buzzsprout.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ahf-podcast/id1749521487

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CrGJyvRiQFTCU3FFFVvHc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/ahf-podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@anteriorhipfoundation

Homepage: https://anteriorhipfoundation.com

This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The content discussed does not constitute medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional judgment. Clinicians should rely on their own training, experience, and clinical decision-making when applying information from this discussion.

#AnteriorHipFoundation #AHFPodcast #MedicalDeviceInnovation #ProofOfConcept #MedTech #HealthcareInnovation #OrthopedicInnovation #MedicalDeviceDevelopment #FDADesignControls #ClinicalInnovation #HealthcareEntrepreneurship #StartupMedTech

Send a text

Dr. Kristoff Corten built an AI-driven platform called Hip Cloud that predicts patient outcomes after hip replacement — and it's changing the way he practices. If you're an orthopedic surgeon interested in how predictive analytics, personalized care pathways, and clinic efficiency can reshape your workflow, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, Joe Schwab sits down with Belgian orthopedic surgeon and entrepreneur Kristoff Corten to explore how he went from feeling bottlenecked in clinic to building a data-driven platform trained on over 6,000 patients. Corten explains how Hip Cloud uses AI to predict the likelihood of a "forgotten hip" outcome, identify complication risks like postoperative sciatica or periprosthetic fracture, and guide shared decision-making with patients — especially in complex cases where surgery may not be the best first option. He walks through how the prediction model helps patients take ownership of their treatment decisions by showing them real probabilities rather than guesstimates.

The conversation also covers Corten's entrepreneurial journey, from solving an OR staffing problem that led to the Gripper retractor system, to his philosophy on building complementary teams rather than trying to run companies yourself. He shares his role in founding the European Anterior Hip Meeting and his vision for the future of hip surgery — where AI-driven outcome prediction merges with implant positioning to give surgeons personalized, data-backed guidance in the operating room.

⏱️ Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Kristoff Corten and Hip Cloud

01:51 How AI predicts forgotten hip outcomes after hip replacement

04:00 Personalizing the patient journey from first visit to surgery

05:33 How hip coaches expanded clinic capacity without losing quality

07:14 Building an AI prediction model from 6,000 patient outcomes

10:32 Can other surgeons develop their own personalized prediction model

13:34 Using outcome data to identify modifiable risk factors before surgery

16:20 How shared decision-making changes when patients see real probabilities

19:52 Balancing a full surgical practice with entrepreneurship

24:53 Why OR staffing problems sparked a retractor innovation

30:54 Teaching anterior approach workflow philosophy beyond technique

34:22 How the European Anterior Hip Meeting started and where it's headed

41:31 The future of hip surgery: merging AI outcomes with implant positioning

Listen to the AHF Podcast on your preferred platform:

Buzzsprout: https://ahfpodcast.buzzsprout.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ahf-podcast/id1749521487

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CrGJyvRiQFTCU3FFFVvHc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/ahf-podcast

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@anteriorhipfoundation

Homepage: https://anteriorhipfoundation.com

This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only.

The content discussed does not constitute medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional judgment. Clinicians should rely on their own training, experience, and clinical decision-making when applying information from this discussion.

#AnteriorHipFoundation #AHFPodcast #HipCloud #KristoffCorten #TotalHipArthroplasty #THA #PredictiveAnalytics #AnteriorApproach #HipReplacement #ForgottenHip #AIinOrthopedics #SharedDecisionMaking #Europea

Send a text

This episode explores how orthopedic innovators determine whether a clinical problem is worth solving at scale. We examine the transition from recognizing a frustration in practice to building a defensible business case for medical device development.

Featuring perspectives from surgeons, CEOs, engineers, and legal experts, this conversation unpacks the critical questions that separate ideas worth pursuing from those destined to fail. We discuss burden arbitrage in periprosthetic joint infection, the four pillars of a viable business case, and why adoption friction kills even the best-supported innovations. You'll hear cautionary tales from early robotics adoption, lessons on regulatory pathways and reimbursement strategy, and practical guidance on protecting intellectual property while seeking objective feedback.

This episode is designed for orthopedic surgeons, trainees, medical device developers, and anyone involved in translating clinical insights into commercial products. Whether you're considering your first innovation project or refining your approach to evaluating opportunities, this discussion provides a grounded framework for making better decisions earlier in the process.

⏱ Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:37 Recap of Episode 1
02:25 Meet the Experts
05:07 Opportunity Recognition
07:06 Burden Arbitrage Example
10:39 Build the Business Case
14:26 De Risking and Adoption
16:06 Stress Test With Feedback
18:43 Friction and AI First Design
20:24 Legal Protection Early
22:08 Toolkit and Next Episode
24:52 Next Episode Preview

Listen to the AHF Podcast on your preferred platform:
Buzzsprout: [https://ahfpodcast.buzzsprout.com](https://ahfpodcast.buzzsprout.com/)
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ahf-podcast/id1749521487
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CrGJyvRiQFTCU3FFFVvHc

Check us out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/ahf-podcast

This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only.
The content discussed does not constitute medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional judgment. Clinicians should rely on their own training, experience, and clinical decision-making when applying information from this discussion.

#AnteriorHipFoundation #AHFPodcast #FromIdeaToMarket #MedicalDeviceInnovation #OrthopedicSurgery #HipReplacement #KneeReplacement #PeriprostheticJointInfection #PJI #MedTech #ClinicalInnovation #BusinessCase #RegulatoryStrategy #Reimbursement #JaredForan #LeoWhiteside #DougFairbanks #EmilyAst #CharlesLawrie #AlexanderSah #SimonMifsud #Arthroplasty #SurgicalInnovation #HealthcareEconomics #PatentStrategy

Send a text

This episode explores how medical innovation actually begins—not in labs or boardrooms, but in operating rooms, clinics, and patient encounters where routine practice no longer feels acceptable. We speak with orthopedic surgeons, engineers, and founders who've lived the journey from clinical frustration to real-world solutions.

Innovation doesn't start with a breakthrough moment. It starts when someone notices the same problem repeatedly and decides they can't look away. Through conversations with surgeons like Jared Foran, Leo Whiteside, Charles Lawrie, and others, we examine three critical questions: How does a problem shift from inconvenience to obligation? What signals that an issue is structurally ignored rather than simply unsolved? And why do certain clinicians feel compelled to act while others move on? This is the first episode in our "From Idea to Market" series, designed to make the innovation process more transparent for practicing clinicians and anyone fostering an idea right now.

Whether you're an orthopedic surgeon, trainee, researcher, or engineer, this episode reveals what the spark of innovation looks like in real life—and why noticing the problem is only the beginning.

⏱ Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to From Idea to Market 03:44 Meet the innovators 06:38 When does frustration become obligation? 10:54 Structural neglect in healthcare systems 16:12 Why some people act and others move on 20:49 What we learned about the spark 24:06 Closing thoughts and next episode preview

Listen to the AHF Podcast on your preferred platform: Buzzsprout: https://ahfpodcast.buzzsprout.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ahf-podcast/id1749521487 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CrGJyvRiQFTCU3FFFVvHc

Check us out on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/ahf-podcast

This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The content discussed does not constitute medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional judgment. Clinicians should rely on their own training, experience, and clinical decision-making when applying information from this discussion.

#AnteriorHipFoundation #AHFPodcast #FromIdeaToMarket #MedicalInnovation #OrthopedicSurgery #HipReplacement #KneeReplacement #Arthroplasty #PJI #PeriprostheticJointInfection #ClinicalInnovation #MedTech #SurgicalInnovation #JaredForan #LeoWhiteside #CharlesLawrie #AlexSah #CharlieDeCook #PatientEducation #InformedConsent #HealthcareInnovation #OrthopedicResearch

Send a text

This mini-series explores how medical innovation actually happens in practice—from the first spark of an idea to bringing a product to market. Whether you're a surgeon, engineer, researcher, or trainee with an idea, this series shows you what comes next.

We've gathered surgeons, engineers, CEOs, attorneys, and innovators who have navigated this journey firsthand. They share insights on developing medical devices, navigating regulatory pathways, building companies, and translating clinical problems into real-world solutions. This isn't about theory—it's about the practical realities of medical innovation from people who've done it.

This series is for anyone curious about the innovation process in orthopedics and medical technology, from early-career clinicians exploring entrepreneurship to experienced surgeons considering their first patent.

⏱ Chapters:
00:00 Series introduction
00:15 Meet the innovators

Listen to the AHF Podcast on your preferred platform:
Buzzsprout: https://ahfpodcast.buzzsprout.com
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ahf-podcast/id1749521487
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CrGJyvRiQFTCU3FFFVvHc

This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only.
The content discussed does not constitute medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional judgment. Clinicians should rely on their own training, experience, and clinical decision-making when applying information from this discussion.

Send a text

Learning the anterior approach to total hip arthroplasty doesn't follow a straight line. Dr. Joe Schwab shares what happened when improving his femoral technique unexpectedly made his acetabular work feel worse—and why that unsettling experience taught him more than any single complication.

This episode is for orthopedic surgeons and trainees navigating the anterior approach learning curve, especially those who feel like their progress isn't linear. Joe walks through his own journey from posterior-trained resident to anterior-focused surgeon, including the cognitive challenges that don't show up in technique videos or course materials. He explains why the learning curve feels more like riding ocean waves than climbing a ladder, and offers practical guidance for managing the psychological demands of mastering a complex approach.

If you're somewhere in the middle of your anterior journey and wondering whether the struggle is normal, this conversation will help you understand what's happening beneath the surface—and give you permission to keep moving forward thoughtfully.

⏱ Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and disclaimer
01:08 Starting anterior approach out of the gate
04:51 The first plateau: getting good enough
06:10 The femur breakthrough and surprise setback
09:21 Understanding what was really happening
11:19 The waves: changing mindset over technique
13:58 What I wish someone had told me
16:19 Practical takeaways for surgeons on this path

Listen to the AHF Podcast on your preferred platform:
Buzzsprout: https://ahfpodcast.buzzsprout.com
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ahf-podcast/id1749521487
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5CrGJyvRiQFTCU3FFFVvHc

This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only.
The content discussed does not constitute medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional judgment. Clinicians should rely on their own training, experience, and clinical decision-making when applying information from this discussion.

Send a text

An engaging, AMA‑style deep dive into how to actually manage lateral femoral cutaneous nerve problems after anterior approach THA—from “my thigh feels weird” numbness to true neuroma‑level pain that drives patients crazy.

In this Ask Me Anything episode, host Joe Schwab answers a real listener question from Dr. Tim Keating: “What is your treatment algorithm for patients with LFCN dysesthesia, neuroma, and other lasting bothersome effects?” Drawing on both the meralgia paresthetica literature and his own practice patterns, Joe lays out a clear, stepwise pathway you can put to work on Monday morning.

You’ll learn:

•Why most post‑op LFCN changes are benign neuropraxias that need education and reassurance, not intervention

•How to structure medical management for persistent neuropathic symptoms: neuropathic agents, topical therapy, and desensitization strategies

•When an ultrasound‑guided LFCN block becomes both a powerful diagnostic tool and a therapeutic option

•Which small subset of patients might benefit from surgery (neurolysis, neurectomy/neuroma excision) and how to frame the “trade numbness for pain relief” conversation

•Where to draw the line and pivot to multidisciplinary pain management instead of chasing endless procedures

If you do anterior approach total hips—or you’re counseling patients who are living with anterior‑based LFCN symptoms—this algorithmic walkthrough will help you standardize decisions, protect patients, and avoid overtreating harmless numbness while still taking real pain seriously.

👇 Join the conversation

What’s your approach to LFCN dysesthesia and neuroma after anterior THA? Did we miss a key step, study, or technique? Drop your own algorithm, pearls, or favorite references in the comments so others can learn from your experience.

⸻

🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you get podcasts

📺 Watch more from the Anterior Hip Foundation (AHF): YouTube @AnteriorHipFoundation

🗓️ New episodes: Fridays

Host: Joseph M. Schwab, MD

⸻

⚠️ Medical disclaimer: This content is for education and professional discussion only and is not medical advice. Patient details have been de-identified.

#AHFPodcast #AHFPodAMA #AnteriorHipFoundation #AHF #AnteriorApproach #TotalHipArthroplasty #HipReplacement #Orthopaedics #MedicalEducation

Send a text

Protecting the Tensor Fascia Lata in Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty

🎥 Welcome to the AHF Podcast! Join host Joe Schwab as he dives deep into a revealing and award-winning study on tensor fascia lata (TFL) injury during anterior approach total hip arthroplasty with special guest H. John Cooper. Dr. Cooper shares insights from his prospective study presented at the 2025 AHF annual meeting, discussing how often TFL injuries occur, the critical steps to minimize such injuries, and how these findings can influence surgical techniques. This episode is packed with invaluable tips for surgeons at all levels, emphasizing the importance of preserving the TFL for optimal patient outcomes. 🏥💪 

⸻

Are you interested in presenting a scientific paper, case report, or technique video/paper at the 2026 AHF Annual Meeting? Check out our Call For Submissions here:

https://anteriorhipfoundation.com/ahf-2026-nashville/anterior-hip-foundation-2026-call-for-submissions-2026/

Make sure you hurry, submission deadline is March 1st, 2026!

⸻

🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you get podcasts
📺 Watch more from the Anterior Hip Foundation (AHF): YouTube @AnteriorHipFoundation
🗓️ New episodes: Fridays

Host: Joseph M. Schwab, MD
Guest: H. John Cooper, MD

⸻

⚠️ Medical disclaimer: This content is for education and professional discussion only and is not medical advice. Patient details have been de-identified.

#AHFPodcast #AHFCallForSubmissions #AnteriorHipFoundation #AHF #AnteriorApproach #TotalHipArthroplasty #HipReplacement #Orthopaedics #MedicalEducation

Send a text

To WATCH this episode on YouTube, go here: https://youtu.be/6uohJmxA-eo

In Episode 2 of Operation FUBAR, Dr. Ben Feibel (adult hip & knee reconstruction, Louisiana) walks us through a case that began with a familiar challenge — “I bet you can’t fix that” — and evolved into a humbling sequence of decisions, revisions, and hard-earned lessons.

One thing that makes Operation FUBAR different: I don’t see the cases ahead of time. No slides. No roadmap. That’s intentional — so the reactions, questions, and conversation can stay spontaneous and genuine. 🎧✨

This episode explores reconstruction after a prior Girdlestone procedure, recurrent instability, and the moment when a case shifts from what can be done to what needs to be done. It’s also an honest look at the emotional weight that complications can carry — especially early in practice.

What we cover 🧠🔧

• Complex reconstruction after prior Girdlestone + significant shortening
• Anterior approach considerations in challenging anatomy and tight soft tissues
• Early instability and recurrent dislocation
• Escalation strategy: length/offset changes, dual mobility, modular stems
• Advanced imaging (CT) and robotic-assisted cup placement (Mako)
• Patient counseling when complications accumulate 💬
• The “warrior mindset” vs. surgical restraint ⚖️

Why this matters 🎯

This isn’t a victory lap. It’s a real conversation about judgment under pressure, humility, and the importance of talking openly about complications and limitations — because that honesty is part of the work.

⸻

🎧 Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere you get podcasts

📺 Watch more from the Anterior Hip Foundation (AHF): YouTube @AnteriorHipFoundation

🗓️ New episodes: Fridays

Host: Joseph M. Schwab, MD

Guest: Ben Feibel, MD

⸻

⚠️ Medical disclaimer: This content is for education and professional discussion only and is not medical advice. Patient details have been de-identified.

#AHFPodcast #AHFTravelingFellowship #AnteriorHipFoundation #AHF #AnteriorApproach #TotalHipArthroplasty #HipReplacement #RevisionTHA #Orthopaedics #SurgicalComplications #MedicalEducation

Send a text

Reflections & Insights: AHF 2025 Traveling Fellowship - Part II

The end of the year is a period of reflection for the Anterior Hip Foundation (AHF). In this episode, host Joe Schwab takes a deep dive into the accomplishments of the AHF in 2025 and previews the exciting developments for 2026. Join us for a special two-part interview series with our 2025 AHF Traveling Fellows. Learn what sets the AHF apart and why it feels more like a family than just an organization. Curious about becoming a part of the AHF community? Attend the AHF 2026 Annual Meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, themed 'Consensus and Controversy.' Discover the unique opportunities the AHF Traveling Fellowship offers early career orthopedic surgeons to refine their anterior hip arthroplasty techniques, expand their perspectives, and form lifelong professional connections. Meet our guests: Jeremy Kubick, Qais Naziri, Michael Field, and Dr. Alex Sah, as they share their transformative experiences and insights. Don't miss this inspiring episode! 🎙️🦴 #AHFPodcast #AHFTravelingFellowship #AnteriorHipFoundation

Helpful Links:

AHF 2026 Annual Meeting: https://anteriorhipfoundation.com/ahf-2026-nashville/

AHF 2026 Traveling Fellowship: https://anteriorhipfoundation.com/ahf-2026-traveling-fellowship/