Women in MedTech Breakfast: Power of Fearless Leadership in Uncertain Times
By Ann Houser CEO and Partner | The Bailey Group, Ellie Humphrey Operating Executive | Patient Square Capital, Ravyn Miller VP Global Marketing Strategy and Communications | Medtronic, Heather Hudnut Page Former VP/GM | Philips, Carolyn Sleeth SVP, Global Commercial Capabilities & US General Manager | Insulet
The Women in MedTech Breakfast returns with a bold focus on what it means to lead fearlessly through economic uncertainty, shifting policy, and evolving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts. Our featured panel will explore how today’s leaders are navigating divided teams, capital constraints and organizational change—while staying grounded in purpose and impact. Following the panel, attendees will break into discussion groups led by some of MedTech’s most influential women leaders, creating space for candid dialogue, shared strategies, and meaningful connections.
Medical device companies are pioneering a revolutionary approach to treating peripheral vascular disease with intravascular lithotripsy (IVL). This innovative technology uses pressure waves to safely break up calcified plaque within arteries, restoring blood flow with minimal trauma to the vessel walls. Unlike traditional treatments, IVL offers a gentler and more effective alternative, reducing complications and improving patient outcomes. These startups are driving the future of vascular care through cutting-edge engineering and clinical research.
10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
Networking Break
Where
Memorial Hall
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
Future Now: A look into how AI, Autonomy, and Telerobotics Will Change the OR
By Nick Damiano Co-founder, CEO | Andromeda Surgical, Caleb Osborne Director, Product Development | Asensus Surgical, Cynthia Perazzo CEO and Co-Founder | Sovato Health
What once counted as science fiction can now be found in a business plan. Join this panel of MDs turned technologists to learn how AI, Surgical Robotics, and telesurgery will change how, when and where future surgeries are done.
Industry Panels
Where
Memorial Hall
10:45 AM - 11:30 AM
The Innovative Questions Boston Scientific is Asking Today to Develop the Cancer Therapies of Tomorrow
By Lindsay Hample VP, Marketing and Strategy, Interventional Oncology & Embolization | Boston Scientific, Scott McDonald VP, R&D and Program Management, Interventional Oncology & Embolization | Boston Scientific, Phil Sinclair, PhD Vice President, Global Medical Affairs and Clinical Development (Interventional Oncology & Embolization) | Boston Scientific
Boston Scientific’s interventional oncology and embolization (IO&E) franchise is focused on innovating new therapies that drive better outcomes for patients suffering from cancer. Looking beyond traditional medical devices, this team is asking fundamentally different questions to help advance therapy development initiatives and expand the company’s cancer care portfolio. In this session, R&D, Clinical and Commercial leaders from Boston Scientific will discuss how the company is taking a collaborative approach to advancing the future of interventional oncology.
Company Stories
Where
Johnson Great Room
10:45 AM - 11:05 AM
Motif XCS: Development of a Therapeutic BCI for Mental Health
By Steve Goetz Chief Technology Officer | Motif Neurotech
Neurotech devices are offering great relief in many conditions from pain to epilepsy, but what are the opportunities in mental health? In this presention, Steve Goetz, Chief left a senior position at a major medtech to help develop an implantable device that could someday improve patients' mental health.
In this presentation, a senior distinguished engineer from Medtronic will walk us through the 17-year journey of developing the Adaptive Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson’s disease.
Technical Talks
Where
Heritage Gallery
11:30 AM - 11:45 AM
Networking Break
Where
Memorial Hall
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
Greenberg Traurig: Leveraging IP for Funding & Exits
By Jamie Ackley Associate General Counsel- Intellectual Property | STERIS, Mark Lavender, Esq. Executive Director of Intellectual Property | Olympus Corporation of the Americas, Gregory Schwartz Shareholder | Greenberg Traurig, Ryan D. Sharp Shareholder | Greenberg Traurig, Joel Suiter Former Director Corporate Development | Surmodics, Inc.
Intellectual Property (IP) is critical for medical technology companies to attract funding and exits, whether M&A or IPO. Learn best practices and pitfalls to avoid in building strategic patent portfolios to close funding, stay competitive, and secure a successful exit. Executives will also discuss how to position a MedTech company to attract investors, collaborators, and partners.
Sponsored Sessions
Where
Memorial Hall
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
VitalPath: Pull Wires, Push Limits: Engineering Precision into Catheter Navigation
Tortuous anatomy presents a persistent challenge in catheter design, demanding advanced solutions for steerability, torque response, and deflection control. This session brings together engineering experts in laser-cut hypotube technology, reinforced braided shafts, and integrated pull-wire mechanisms to share insights into the mechanical design and system integration of steerable catheters. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the material, structural, and manufacturing decisions that impact catheter performance in complex anatomies.
Sponsored Sessions
Where
Johnson Great Room
11:45 AM - 12:05 PM
Compliance Without Chaos: Mastering FDA Cybersecurity
By Jordan John Regulatory & Compliance Lead | Blue Goat Cyber
Bringing a medical device to market is challenging enough; navigating the ever-evolving landscape of regulatory cybersecurity requirements adds another layer of complexity. This session will provide medical device and MedTech companies with the knowledge and strategies needed to ensure their devices are both secure and compliant, minimizing costly delays and submission rejections. With the FDA now mandating cybersecurity testing and documentation, failure to comply can result in regulatory and market setbacks. This session will cover how manufacturers can align their cybersecurity strategies with FDA expectations to eliminate roadblocks, prevent rejections, and secure faster clearances and approvals. Key Takeaways: · How to integrate cybersecurity compliance seamlessly into your regulatory strategy · Understanding FDA’s cybersecurity expectations and the five-phase framework for success · The role of penetration testing, threat modeling, and SBOM management in compliance · How to turn cybersecurity into a competitive advantage for investors, regulators, and partners
Technical Talks
Where
Heritage Gallery
12:10 PM - 12:30 PM
Navigating Change: Mastering the Future of Medical Manufacturing
By Liz Bade Strategic Account Manager | Protolabs, Chris Gottlieb Global Product Director | Protolabs
We invite you to join our panel session featuring two of Protolabs' leading medical industry experts exploring critical trends shaping product development, particularly as they pertain to manufacturing. This discussion will delve into current trends observed among leaders in medical device innovation, including the integration of AI in healthcare, the impact of global regulations, and the real-world implications of recent supply chain disruptions. The session aims to equip attendees with the tools and insights necessary to not only address these challenges but also to excel in a rapidly changing environment. Whether you are directly engaged in these issues or seeking to understand the latest industrial developments, we’ll provide valuable guidance on how to navigate and adapt to the demands of an evolving landscape.
Technical Talks
Where
Heritage Gallery
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
Lunch
Where
Memorial Hall
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
A Neurostim Success Story: How Engineers Continue to Improve Upon a Treatment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
By Katelin Kellenberger VP, Digital Product Management | Inspire Medical Systems, Natasha Kuntz Principal Systems Engineer | Inspire Medical Systems, Susan Sibilski Senior Manager/EE and Test Systems | Inspire Medical Systems, Maile Vasoli Director of Algorithm & AI Development | Inspire Medical Systems, Kevin Versal Vice President, Product Development | Inspire Medical Systems
In August, the FDA approved Inspire V, the latest version of the neurostim system that can treat moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in patients who cannot tolerate PAP therapy and do not have complete concentric collapse at the soft palate. The system includes an implant near the collarbone, a remote for activation, and an app for sleep tracking. In this panel we'll learn how engineers set out to build Inspire V system, which features an updated neurostimulator, Bluetooth-enabled remote, and physician programmer.
Industry Panels
Where
Memorial Hall
1:15 PM - 2:00 PM
Helping Start-ups Start: How the University of Minnesota Helps Entrepreneurs Build a Strong Foundation
By Nick Damiano Co-founder, CEO | Andromeda Surgical
Andromeda Surgical is a South San Francisco, California-based company developing autonomous surgical robots, starting with endourology procedures. The company's vision is to make the difficult parts of surgery easy and empower every surgeon to deliver optimal patient outcomes in every procedure. The team combines expertise from medtech, autonomous vehicles, and other robotics and AI applications, working in conjunction with top global urologists.
Technical Talks
Where
Heritage Gallery
1:40 PM - 2:00 PM
Breaking Barriers: The Future of Digital Twins and Virtual Clinical Studies in Medical Devices
By Darrell Swenson Engineering Director and a Technical Fellow | Medtronic
Advances in computational power and simulation technology have transformed industries such as automotive and aerospace, where predictive computational models serve as reliable digital twins. In the medical device industry, similar predictive models hold the potential to revolutionize clinical studies through virtual trials, reducing costs and accelerating innovation. Yet, despite over a decade of focus, neither digital twins nor virtual clinical studies have achieved widespread adoption in this space. This session will explore the unique challenges that differentiate the medical device industry from other sectors, outline a strategic path forward for broader implementation, and present real-world examples demonstrating the progress and impact of these technologies.
Technical Talks
Where
Heritage Gallery
2:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Networking Break
Where
Memorial Hall
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Understanding the Importance of Design for Manufacturing (DfM) in Miniaturization
By Brent Hahn Senior Vice President | Isometric Micro Molding
Understanding the Importance of Design for Manufacturing (DfM) in Miniaturization When it comes to micro molding miniaturized parts and assemblies, not all Design for Manufacturing (DfM) processes are created equal. In fact, DfM becomes increasingly vital as the size of the parts decreases, often serving as the decisive factor between a successfully manufactured part and an unrealized idea. Design for Manufacturing (DfM) is a strategic process that focuses on designing components to streamline manufacturing, with the ultimate goal of producing high-quality products at a lower cost. This is accomplished by simplifying, optimizing, and refining the design of the product. By identifying and addressing potential issues during the design phase—the most cost-effective stage for problem-solving—DfM ensures efficiency throughout the product's lifecycle. Critical aspects such as product complexity, dimensional accuracy, tooling, materials, assembly, and testing play a significant role in determining manufacturability. We invite you to join our presentation, where we will explore the fundamental DfM processes that are crucial for the success of micro molding small parts and assemblies. You will learn about: • Nine real-world examples of successful DfM in the development of miniaturized micro molded parts and assemblies • Effective DfM strategies to overcome the challenges of miniaturization through micro molding and automated assembly • Commonly asked questions about tooling, molding, and assembly for miniaturized parts and components.
Sponsored Sessions
Where
Memorial Hall
2:15 PM - 2:35 PM
Using Real-World Evidence to Drive Commercial Success in MedTech
Real-world evidence (RWE) is transforming MedTech, gaining acceptance among healthcare stakeholders and fueled by increasing availability of high-quality real-world data (RWD). This session will explore how MedTech companies can use RWE to support commercial activities at all stages of the product lifecycle. It will highlight the benefits of using RWE, key considerations for real-world studies, and success stories of MedTech companies using RWE to achieve business goals.
Sponsored Sessions
Where
Heritage Gallery
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Networking Break
Where
Memorial Hall
3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
Strategic Shifts and Growth: A Conversation with Solventum CSO Rachel Ellingson
By Rachel Ellingson Chief Strategy & Corporate Development Officer | Solventum
Rachel Ellingson, Chief Strategy and Corporate Development Officer at Solventum, shares the vision for the company’s future as it sharpens its strategic focus. In this interview, she discusses Solventum’s three-phased transformation plan, including creating the right culture and structure, aligning on their long-range plan, and optimizing their portfolio. She shares how the organization is positioning itself for innovation and long-term growth after its spinoff from 3M in 2024.
Industry Panels
Where
Memorial Hall
3:30 PM - 3:50 PM
SynCardia is Developing the Next Generation of Artificial Hearts
SynCardia is redefining the future of heart replacement therapy. Two decades after earning FDA approval, SynCardia remains the world’s only commercially approved total artificial heart, with more than 2,100 implants and lives sustained. Today, the Company is advancing the field once again with its next-generation platform: the Emperor—a groundbreaking, fully implantable artificial heart designed to eliminate external drivers and restore true mobility and independence to patients. SynCardia recently secured three U.S. patents for the Emperor device, marking a major step in its innovation pathway. Join CEO Patrick NJ Schnegelsberg to learn how SynCardia is leading the evolution of total artificial heart technology.
Technical Talks
Where
Heritage Gallery
3:55 PM - 4:15 PM
Research Points to the Gut to Address Type 2 Diabetes - Now Treatment Can Too
By Rob D’Agostino Principal Research and Development Engineer | Endogenex
The type 2 diabetes landscape has seen significant developments recently; yet many of the existing options treat the symptoms of the disease rather than going upstream to address potential drivers. Medical device company Endogenex is developing a new endoscopic procedure that uses non-thermal energy to treat diabetic duodenopathy - inflamed tissue in the duodenum, the top part of the small intestine, that’s associated with type 2 diabetes. The goal is to restore the gut to a healthier state to alter the progression of type 2 diabetes.
Technical Talks
Where
Heritage Gallery
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Democratizing Patient Access: Leveraging Our Industry to Improve Outcomes
By Ravyn Miller VP Global Marketing Strategy and Communications | Medtronic, Brooke Story Former WorldWide President | BD
Brooke Story’s relationship with the MedTech and healthcare industries shifted instantly when her twin sister suffered a devastating stroke. In this talk, she shares her surprise at the challenges facing patients without advocacy for indicated solutions for their position. She shares her personal journey of fighting for advanced interventions for her sister, using industry connections and insights unavailable to most. Drawing from her experience as both a MedTech leader and patient advocate, she explores barriers to care and how collaboration, investment, and advocacy can expand access to life-saving medical innovations.