Let’s Talk Medtech

Upma Sharma joins us for this episode of Let's Talk Medtech to discuss how Arsenal Medical is developing biomaterials that are changing the way medicine is practiced. Sharma also discusses her evolution from a researcher to CEO of a medtech company.

Scott Nelson, one of the medical device's top insiders, stops by to discuss the trends in the industry and to give tips to entrepreneurs looking to jump into the world of medtech. Nelson is the co-founder and CEO of FastWave Medical, a medical device startup developing intravascular lithotripsy systems for cardiovascular disease. Additionally, he’s the founder of Medsider, where he interviews founders and CEOs of promising, early-stage medical device and health technology companies. 

Dana Brown, iCAD's president, chairman and CEO, shares how the company is changing the way we think about breast cancer detection. Brown gives us an update on the partnership with Google. Plus, she talks about her time at Susan G. Komen and how cancer detection has changed throughout the years. She also gives some tips for aspiring medtech professionals in this new episode of Let's Talk Medtech.

Omar : How are you?

Dana: Great. Thanks for having me.

Omar: I'm doing well, just a bit sleep-deprived with a newborn at home, but otherwise, all good.

Dana: Congratulations.

Dana: Thank you. So, Dana, it's been over a year since you took the reins at iCAD. How has the journey been so far?

Dana: Better than I expected, honestly. I joined ICAD's board over two years ago, initially thinking it was my dream role. But I saw an opportunity to contribute more directly given my background in cloud technologies and breast health. Jumping in has been fantastic—the team is great, and seeing our solutions in action, not just on paper, has been incredibly rewarding.

Omar: That's wonderful to hear. Before we dive into iCAD, let's talk about your time at Susan G. Komen. Can you share about your role there?

Dana: Sure, at Susan G. Komen, I served as the chief strategic and operations officer for nearly five years. My focus was enhancing direct patient engagement, ensuring initiatives like helplines, financial aid, and support resources were impactful and accessible. It was about making sure Komen's efforts directly benefited patients throughout their breast cancer journey.

Omar: How have your experiences at Komen influenced your approach at iCAD?

Dana: Three main takeaways: continuous learning, particularly in management and collaboration; leveraging technology like EMRs and research registries to enhance patient care; and fostering a culture of innovation, crucial for developing effective solutions in breast health.

Omar: It sounds like a wealth of knowledge to bring to iCAD. Speaking of which, let's touch on iCAD's use of AI in breast cancer detection. How is AI reshaping mammography?

Dana: AI has revolutionized mammography by enhancing accuracy and efficiency. Unlike human eyes, AI processes data at a granular level, making it a reliable second opinion for radiologists. Beyond cancer detection, we're exploring applications like detecting breast arterial calcification, offering a more holistic view of a patient's health.

Omar: That's impressive—AI as a precision tool in healthcare. Is it making mammogram results more understandable for patients?

Dana: Currently, AI primarily aids clinicians by providing trusted decision support. However, patients are becoming aware of AI's role and its potential to offer them clearer, faster insights into their health—a promising development we're exploring further.

Omar: Moving forward, iCAD has partnered with Google Health. What can you tell us about this collaboration?

Dana: Our collaboration with Google Health spans two key initiatives: integrating our technology into Google's cloud infrastructure for seamless healthcare operations, and jointly developing advanced AI algorithms. This includes creating an AI-powered second reader for mammograms, aiming to streamline diagnosis and reduce turnaround times, addressing the shortage of radiologists globally.

Omar: That's a significant step forward in leveraging technology for healthcare efficiency. While we await regulatory clearances, how do you see AI influencing patient care in the future?

Dana: AI is empowering patients with knowledge and enabling more informed healthcare decisions. It's part of a broader trend towards patient empowerment, where individuals actively engage in their health management—a positive shift we're committed to advancing at ICAD.

Omar: Your insights are invaluable. Looking back at your career journey, did you foresee technology playing such a pivotal role in healthcare?

Dana: Not initially, but my early interest in combining technology and sociology guided me towards leveraging tech for social impact. It's been a fulfilling journey seeing technology evolve from tax software to AI-driven healthcare solutions, empowering both patients and providers.

European Union states greenlit a measure to regulate artificial intelligence. The sweeping law is the first of its kind and will have a definitive impact on any companies that employ the use of AI.

Anne-Gabrielle Haie, a partner with Steptoe LLP, answers questions about the AI Act and discusses its potential impact on the medical device industry in this all-new episode of Let's Talk Medtech.

MD&M West is a tradeshow that boasts some of the best speakers in the medical device industry - and Let's Talk Medtech has snagged its keynote speaker, Jennifer Samproni for this can't miss episode.

Jennifer is the Chief Technology Officer, of Health Solutions at Flex, and drops by to shed some light on her keynote speech - Transforming the Future of Patient Care with Human Machine Interfaces. She'll also talk about how artificial intelligence is changing healthcare; why contract manufacturing is booming; and give tips on navigating the medical device industry in this season opener of Let's Talk Medtech.

MD+DI's Senior Editor, Amanda Pedersen joins us for this episode of Let's Talk Medtech to look at what 2023 was for the medical device and diagnostics industry. The veteran journalist also dives into what the future might hold in 2024 for the industry.

Benjamin Zegarelli, counsel with Mintz, gives some important regulatory updates surrounding laboratory-developed tests, artificial intelligence, and software. Oh yeah, we talk about a little thing called EU MDR in this new episode of Let's Talk Medtech.

Surbhi Sarna began her journey into medtech when she had a health scare at the age of 13. The ordeal led her to founding nVision, a company focused on the detection of ovarian cancer. nVision was eventually acquired by Boston Scientific.

Sarna joins us shortly before her keynote at BIOMEDevice Silicon Valley to discuss her journey into medtech and what it takes to be an entrepreneur in the industry.

How is medtech holding up in this tough economy? Are supply issues still a problem in the industry? What's the next big market for growth? Is medtech still healthy? EY's Jim Welch answers these questions and talks about the company's latest Pulse of the Industry report in this brand-new episode.

GE HealthCare started off 2023 by becoming a fully independent company. The company then wasted little time making acquisitions. Most recently, GE HealthCare was in the spotlight because of developments in Alzheimer's treatments that could potentially drive up the demand for the firm's imaging equipment.

Jan Makela, President and CEO, of Imaging at GE HealthCare, joins us to talk about the company's success and how it plans to finish out the year, in this exciting new episode.