Vascular: AVS Pulse CTO Robert Chisena on Intravascular Lithotripsy and the Future of Calcium Treatment

Calcified arteries remain one of the toughest challenges in cardiology and peripheral vascular care. Robert Chisena, CTO and co-founder of AVS Pulse Technologies, explains how their intravascular lithotripsy platform uses pulsatile CO₂ energy to fracture calcium safely and effectively.We cover how AVS Pulse differentiates from competitors, the “smart” IVL feedback system, and why this space has become one of the hottest in medtech after multibillion-dollar acquisitions.Episode Breakdown00:00 – Why calcified arterial disease is such a challenge01:22 – Meet Robert Chisena, CTO and co-founder of AVS Pulse Technologies02:01 – How calcium buildup blocks blood flow and leads to serious outcomes03:07 – Why existing technologies struggle with calcium treatment04:42 – AVS Pulse origins at the University of Michigan05:34 – Finding the “chinks in the armor” of calcium06:27 – How pulsatile CO₂ energy fractures calcium07:38 – The water hammer effect explained08:37 – Comparing AVS Pulse to existing lithotripsy devices09:47 – Differentiators: low profile, flexibility, energy efficiency11:14 – 5000 pulses vs rationing with other catheters13:12 – Clinical studies show fast, safe outcomes in complex lesions13:45 – First “smart” IVL device with intra-procedural feedback14:54 – Regulatory pathway and pivotal trials in peripheral and coronary indications17:02 – Promising first-in-human PAD I study results19:07 – How energy delivery reduces dissections compared to other methods21:24 – What happens to calcium once fractured22:01 – Positioning IVL as a prep tool for stenting23:32 – Differentiating IVL from thrombectomy and other treatments23:38 – Funding raised and milestones ahead24:45 – Timeline for commercial launch and next clinical trials25:02 – Upcoming conferences: TCT and VIVA presentations26:08 – Why the market is heating up and where AVS Pulse fits inAre you a medtech CEO in need of some marketing help attracting investors, growing sales pipeline, and more? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GrowMyMedtech.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to book time for a free analysis.Subscribe to our Youtube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGpL_rGt1LQJwinMq_K7gfg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our LinkedIn Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.stateofmedtechpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow The State of MedTech onLinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/thestateofmedtech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/stateofmedtech/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@stateofmedtech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/StateofMedTech⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/stateofmedtech/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Omar M. Khateeb onLinkedIn ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/okhateeb/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/omar.m.khateeb/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@omarkhateebofficial⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/OmarMKhateeb⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/OmarMKhateeb/⁠⁠⁠⁠This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, or medical advice. The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of State of MedTech LLC. Nothing discussed on this podcast should be interpreted as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security. Listeners should conduct their own due diligence and consult with a qualified financial advisor, attorney, or other professional before making any financial or investment decisions.#Medtech #Leadership #ScottHuennekens #Healthcare #MedicalDevices #Entrepreneurship