MedTech Jam Session with Chris and Mike D

Is the standard of care for rotator cuff repair leaving patients with weak scar tissue? In this episode of the MedTech Jam Session, Mike D sits down with Brad Pratt (CEO) and Andy Carter (CTO), the co-founders of Tetrous. Brad and Andy share their extensive histories in the orthopedic space and dive deep into how Tetrous is moving beyond traditional tendon repair to actively regenerate the enthesis—the critical bone-to-tendon interface. Tetrous® has flipped the script by developing methods to enhance healing at the tendon-to-bone interface The enthesis is where failures often occur in sports medicine repairs. Tendon reattachment to the bone is a crucial clinical need, especially in larger tears, since failure rates increase linearly with tear size. In this episode, we cover: • The Science of DBF: Why demineralized bone fibers outperform DBM powder and brittle milled fibers. • Clinical Outcomes: Early data showing surgeon retear rates dropping from 20% to 4%, and 85% of patients returning to work/sports at 6 months. • Capital Efficiency: How Tetrous accelerated growth (4.5x last year) by leveraging partnerships with Australian Biotechnologies and outsourcing their back office to Intech. To learn more about Tetrous, visit: Tetrous.com

What do you offer a 45-year-old patient with an irreparable rotator cuff tear who just wants to throw a baseball with their kid? Dr. Sean Churchill and CEO Chance Leonard jam with Chris and Mike D as they discuss the Super Spacer, a revolutionary, bone-conserving implant for this struggling patient population. With retear rates hitting 30-40% within two years following rotator cuff surgery, the current options are bleak. Capitan Orthopedics is filling the gap in rotator cuff repair treatment. By restoring more normal shoulder biomechanics, patients with Super Spacer will have less pain and higher levels of function, and most importantly, they be able to throw batting practice with the kids! To learn more about Super Spacer, visit capitanortho.com

Ortho Robots are everywhere…except in Trauma. That’s about to change! What MAKO did for knee arthroplasty, Mohammad Abedin and the team at Robossis are doing for long bone fractures. In this episode, Mike and Chris are joined by Professor Mohammad Abedin-Nasab, Founder and CEO of Robossis, to discuss why he is building the world's first robot designed specifically for orthopedic trauma. Mohammad explains the engineering breakthrough behind his unique 3-arm parallel robot that will assist surgeons in achieving a perfect reduction and maintain that reduction while placing the fixation and ensure an anatomical alignment. Going to LSI this month? Come by the Robossis booth and see the system in action. To learn more about Robossis, visit them on LinkedIn

What happens when a professional fighter, who is also a startup CEO, is told to put "25% of his body weight" on a recovering limb, but isn't given the tools to measure it? He builds a MedTech company. In this episode, Mike and Chris sit down with Ilya Popov, founder of ComeBack Mobility. Ilya shares his remarkable journey from being a tech CEO to a professional kickboxer in Thailand to solving one of orthopedics' most frustrating challenges: patient weight-bearing compliance. ComeBack Mobility's device attaches to the bottom of any cane or crutch, calculating the exact load a patient is putting on their injured leg and providing real-time feedback. In this episode, we cover The Weight-Bearing Guesswork: Why standard protocols like "toe-touch" or "50% weight-bearing" are historically based on ease of explanation rather than validated clinical trials. The NYU Langone experience: Groundbreaking data showing the ComeBack Mobility device achieved 74% patient step compliance, compared to just 20% in the standard of care group.Expediting Bone Healing: How optimized, iterative loading can accelerate tibial fracture healing to 6-8 weeks instead of the standard 10-11 weeks. To learn more about ComeBack Mobility, visit comebackmobility.com

How do you go from a 4-hour surgery that leaves you frustrated to inventing a new category of orthopedic repair? In this episode, Mike and Chris are joined by Dr. Oke Anakwenze, Duke orthopedic surgeon and founder of SutureTech, to discuss his journey from the operating room to the boardroom. Dr. Anakwenze shares the "first principles" thinking that led him to develop a novel all-suture staple system designed to simplify tendon repair and improve healing. We dive deep into the realities of being a physician-founder—from iterating prototypes at home to navigating FDA clearance on just $2 million in funding. In this episode, we cover: The "Dual Anchor Mattress" System: How SutureTech is creating a new category between anchors and staples. Capital Efficiency: Achieving FDA clearance with a lean $2M budget and the power of "skin in the game." The LMR Strategy: Why a controlled Limited Market Release is critical for gathering high-quality data before a full commercial launch. Advice for Physician-Founders: The difference between a "good idea" and a "valuable idea," and why checking your ego is the first step to success. To learn more about the company and the technology, visit: SUTURETECH.com. Listen to the MedTech Jam Session wherever you listen to podcasts. Powered by ConveyMED.io!

Is the medical device industry finally ready to move past "gimmicks" and return to first principles? In this episode, Mike and Chris sit down with David Jansen, CEO of SAIL Fusion, to discuss why the Sacroiliac (SI) Joint market is heating up and why "proven orthopedic principles" are the new disruption. David shares his journey from engineering student to startup CEO and reveals how SAIL Fusion is using the Venture Studio model (via Core Medical Ventures) to accelerate development while minimizing risk. The trio also tackles the elephant in the room: the growing tension between spine surgeons and interventionalists, and why SAIL Fusion has chosen to side exclusively with the surgeons. In this episode, we cover: The "Bow Tie" Philosophy: Applying AO Foundation principles (rigid fixation, compression) to the SI joint. Market Predictions: Why 2026 is a transition year and 2027 will be the year of execution. The 30% Stat: Why up to 30% of chronic lower back pain is misdiagnosed as lumbar issues. Startup Strategy: How the Venture Studio model helps founders survive the "valley of death." Powered by ConveyMED. Listen in where ever you get your podcasts! To learn more about SAIL Fusion visit SAILspine.com.

Chris & Mike D share their take on the biggest trends of 2025 and what to look for in 2026 in the world of Ortho, Spine, and all things MSK. Listen wherever you get your podcasts: Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.

Why are we still crossing joints to fix small-bone fractures? On this week’s MedTech Jam Session with Chris & Mike D, CEO Sarah Sachinis explains how Meduloc uses flexible nitinol to deliver intramedullary fixation without traversing the joint. This winning combination features elasticity (micromotion for healing) with distal locking for stability… All while protecting the joint. Genius! Meduloc, A Cor Medical Ventures portfolio company, benefitted greatly from the venture studio model as they shortened time to market and remained incredibly capital efficient. Check out our convo with Sarah on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Powered by ConveyMED. To learn more about Meduloc, click here

Part 2 of our MNVC Recap Series on the MedTech Jam Session with Chris & Mike D! We pick up the conversation by finishing our recap of the Investor Roundtable panel and then share what CEO’s and Founders are thinking with their Go To Market approach and channel strategy. Hint: Capital efficiency is king! You can listen to MedTech Jam Session on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and now, YouTube. Congratulations to all of the presenting companies and special thanks to Gary Stevenson and Healthpoint Capital for hosting this outstanding event.

The 2025 MNVC was an epic, sold out gathering of founders, builders, investors, and drivers of the orthopedic startup community. On this week’s MedTech Jam Session with Chris & Mike D, we have the two moderators that were in the ‘Room Where it Happened’ – Chris Lyons and Mike Sherman. In part 1, we discuss highlights from the panel, ‘Financing and M&A Environment for Private Companies’ by Charles Hamilton, and Key thoughts from the ‘Investor Roundtable’ panel featuring Gary Stevenson, Michael Collins, Chance Leonard, Nicholas Pachuda, and Jeffrey O’Donnell. Join us wherever you listen to podcasts and stay tuned for Part 2 releasing next week. Congratulations to all of the presenting companies for bringing a great conference to light! Powered by ConveyMed

Why do patients sometimes struggle to regain motion following a technically perfect tendon repair surgery? Adhesions from tissue tethering can keep patients from returning to normal activities. Meet B3 GEL™ from TYBR Health: A flowable, bioresorbable ECM gel that prevents restrictive scar tissue while supporting optimal healing. Chris Wright jams with Chris and I as he shares the origin story of the technology and the company, as well as their journey to achieving 510K approval. Listen to another great story of an entrepreneur who made a bold move to pivot into orthopedics after listening to customers. A lesson for us all! Check it out wherever you get your podcasts! To learn more about TYBR Health, go to their LinkedIn page

Is there a ‘Missing Middle’ in tendon care? Many partial-tear patients find themselves in a treatment gap where PT or needle procedures fail, but they are not yet candidates for surgery. That’s where Trace Orthopedics is creating the future of tendon repair. Dr. Bill Morrison and CEO Adam Greenspan jam with Chris and Mike D. as they share their journey to launch the first device for tendon reattachment without surgery. • Pivotal animal study complete • Contract manufacturing established • FDA path defined • Targeting a limited market release in Q4 2026. We love it when physicians invent the very challenges they face every day. To learn more about Trace Orthopedics, go to their ⁠⁠LinkedIn page.⁠⁠ Another great jam session! Jam with us wherever you get your podcasts! AppleSpotify 

A surgeon-led rethink of patella fractures launches Endeavor Orthopaedics. A failure rate of up to 40% in patella fractures was not acceptable to Dr. Brent Norris. “I had an epiphany in October of 2011. After a couple of challenging patella fracture cases, I realized, I was only addressing part of the extensor mechanism injury. By only treating the bony element of the injury with cannulated screws and orthopedic wire, we were not fully addressing the soft tissue component of the injury or more importantly the forces of the extensor mechanism.” In this week’s MedTech Jam Session with Chris & Mike D, check out the rest of the story from Dr. Norris and Endeavor CEO Greg Parranto as they discuss how they are solving, not just patella fractures, but how their platform will soon expand to treat other challenging avulsion injuries. Another great story of a surgeon with the courage to build next-generation solutions to benefit patient care. Jam with us wherever you get your podcasts:  Apple Spotify  Click here to learn more about Endeavor Orthopaedics, or go to: https://www.endeavorortho.com/ Powered by @conveymed

Building the future of Ortho for over 20+ years at the annual MNVC. Gary Stevenson shares the story behind launching the Musculoskeletal New Ventures Conference (MNVC) over 20 years ago in Memphis—a platform designed to bring together surgeon-entrepreneurs, MedTech investors, and startups in the ortho space. Here’s what we learned from Gary: 1. With orthopedic giants such as @Stryker, @SNN and @Medtronic Spine, Memphis became the perfect ecosystem for orthopedic innovation. MNVC helped fuel that by connecting capital with clinical insight 2. In an increasingly digital world, Gary emphasizes the enduring value of face-to-face deal-making, clinical validation, and peer exchange that MNVC enables—especially for early-stage startups needing visibility and feedback. 3. The conference has become a launchpad for surgeon-led startups, offering a rare stage where real-world clinical problems meet venture capital, and great ideas are accelerated. To learn more about the MNVC Conference visit MNVC.orgTune into MedTech Jam Session wherever you get your podcasts! Apple  Spotify 

Will ‘Scopes as a Subscription’ be the new model for arthroscopy? Bryan Lord and Pristine Surgical sure make a compelling case as they announce their full US market release of Summit – a first of its kind, 4K single-use surgical arthroscope. Here’s what we learned from Bryan: 1. Pristine Surgical has reinvented endoscopy by introducing a single-use, high-definition endoscopy platform that turns capital equipment into a scalable SaaS-like business. Genius! 2. Every system is paired with a cloud-based software platform, giving surgeons tools for case recording, automated checklists, and data capture. Transforming the OR into a digitally connected environment is a gamechanger! 3. Bryan shares his transition from investor to operator, drawing on his background in private equity and venture investing to grow Pristine with capital efficiency and execution discipline. Thanks to the team at Pristine for letting us jam Live from AOSSM. Listen to the full episode wherever you get your podcasts, Powered by ConveyMED on:Apple  Spotify 

Will a Two-Portal approach be the catalyst for widespread adoption of endoscopic spine? Andy Choi and the team at Amplify Surgical have cracked the code and are proving that their dualPortal solution can deliver enhanced visualization and greater flexibility for spine surgeons performing lumbar fusion cases through a minimally invasive approach. Check out our recent conversation with Andy as he shares his journey from Stryker spine to a startup founder, his disciplined approach to company scaling, and how their training program is leading to rapid growth. Chris Lyons and I had a blast jamming with Andy on this episode of the MedTech Jam session. Jam with us wherever you get your podcasts! AppleSpotifyTo learn more about Amplify Surgical visit AmplifySurgical.com

Imagine being able to detect compartment syndrome before symptoms appear. In our latest MedTech Jam Session, Chris and I speak with CEO Charles Allan of MY01 as he explains how their microsensor and continuous monitoring platform is helping trauma teams intervene earlier, avoid unnecessary fasciotomies, and improve outcomes for compartment syndrome. Here’s what we learned from Charlie: 1. MY01 has cracked the code by integrating their device into trauma clinical pathways. A smart commercial strategy! 2. With over 2,500 cases performed and a published study showing an average net savings of $2,800 per patient, MY01 not only improves patient outcomes but reduces costly fasciotomies and extended hospital stays. Great for the VAC process! 3. Founder Charles Allan shares how a family legacy in surgery and entrepreneurship, combined with a collaboration with orthopedic trauma surgeon Dr. Ed Harvey, led to the development of MY01’s groundbreaking technology Check out my01.io to learn more.Tune into MedTech Jam Session wherever you get your podcasts: Apple  Spotify

Meet Scott DeFelice and the team at OPM as they usher in the next big material innovation in orthopedics. In this MedTech Jam Session, Scott explains how PEKK offers true bone-like mechanics, osseointegration, radiolucency, and intrinsic antibacterial/antiviral performance. Here’s what we learned from Scott: 1. Tackling the Toughest Cases First - From oncology to arthrodesis, OPM’s PEKK implants are solving high-risk, high-complication surgeries. 2. An Infection-Resistant Material - With a 1.5% infection rate vs. 20% for traditional materials, clinicians are rapidly adopting the tech for the most challenging cases. 3. Patient-Matched Precision at Scale - With over 4,500 personalized craniofacial implants delivered and growing into extremity, trauma, and oncology applications, OPM brings perfect-fit, 3D-printed implants to complex cases Tune into MedTech Jam Session to see where high-performance polymers meet better patient outcomes – wherever you get your podcasts! To learn more about Oxford Performance Materials, visit: OxfordPM.com Listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts! AppleSpotify

Chris & Mike discuss the themes emerging from this year's Think Tank including the growth of interventional spine

Can We Grow New Cartilage Instead of Replacing Joints? That’s a gamechanger! Brad Estes, CEO of CytexOrtho, joined Chris and I on the MedTech Jam Session to talk about his 3D printed biodegradable scaffold designed to replace damaged cartilage. Here’s what we learned from Brad: 1. Solving the Young Patient Gap With no good solution between cartilage repair and total joint replacement, Cytex targets a major unmet need: 35–60-year-old active patients who need lasting results without compromising future treatment options. That would be HUGE! 2. Leveraging NIH-Funded Research Originally developed at Duke University, Cytex has leveraged over $18M in non-dilutive funding. Super resourceful management team. 3. 3D Printing continues to be a great technology platform The Cytex team have developed a 3D printed manufacturing process for a complex, mechanically strong biodegradable scaffold. Impressive. Follow Cytex Ortho and Brad Estes on LinkedIn Listen to this episode wherever you get your podcasts! Apple Spotify

Can orthopedic surgery be both personalized and scalable? In our latest episode of MedTech Jam Session, Ju Zhang of Formus Labs shares how his team turned years of academic research into a cloud-based platform that powers patient-specific preoperative plans—used in over 3,000 surgeries to date. 🎯 From CT to soft tissue modeling 🔁 From pre-op planning to rehab personalization 🤖 Now integrating with robotic surgery systems 📍 Learn how Formus is becoming the brains behind smarter orthopedic robots. For more info, please visit Formus.com.Jam with us wherever you get your podcasts. Apple podcasts Spotify video podcasts

Surgeon/Inventor/Founder/Investor/Pilot and all-around good dude Kent Ellington jammed with Chris Lyons and I on this episode of the MedTech Jam Session with Chris & Mike D. Kent shares his journey from clinician to creator, having developed over 100 products with over $1.5 billion in revenue! Mad skills! Here’s what we learned from Kent. 1. 6 P’s of successful innovation – People – Product – Process – Plan – Performance – Patient Focus. Great insight! 2. Startups and incubators, not the big companies, are leading the next wave of orthopedic innovations. Hot take – We agree! 3. There exists a confluence of technology innovation such as 3D printing, AI, & Robotics which will unleash a new wave of solutions to frustrating clinical problems. Reach out to Kent by email at: [email protected] with us wherever you get your podcasts! AppleSpotify 

One of the biggest challenges in healthcare is care coordination. I’ve witnessed it firsthand over the past 20 years while caring for aging parents. My good friend Scott Laster and the amazing team at MiCare Path are leveraging digital innovation to bridge the gaps between primary care, specialists and patients. Here’s what we learned from Scott: 1. Is virtual care the next great service line for physicians? Now that remote monitoring is a reimbursable service, providers can track patients remotely and intervene sooner – meaning better patient care! 2. Yes – remote monitoring is scalable. MiCare has cracked the code making it possible for busy practices to get up and running in weeks. Impressive! 3. The future of predictive health begins with data. Capturing and analyzing daily insights over time will uncover new therapies and approaches to care. MiCare is building that foundation! To learn more about MiCare Path, visit MiCarePath.comJam with us wherever you get your podcasts! Apple Podcasts Spotify

Simple and innovative? Not an easy task, but when it’s right, it is a gamechanger! Tim McCown, COO of Spinal Simplicity shares their compelling vision to help patients enjoy a life ‘where pain no longer defines the day.’ Here’s what we learned from Tim. 1. Spinal Simplicity is transforming the spine market with minimally invasive, patient-centric solutions like the Minuteman device—designed to reduce recovery time, opioid use, and hospital stays 2. Scaling from the Heartland. Who says you have to be on one of the coasts to raise capital? This Kansas City-based startup raised over $50M in friends-and-family capital. Impressive! 3. A hybrid sales channel is a winning formula. Tim breaks down their hybrid go-to-market approach using both direct reps and distributors. 4. To learn more, visit SpinalSimplicity.com Jam with us wherever you get your podcasts!Apple PodcastsSpotify

Tackling one of the biggest challenges in orthopedics [Cartilage Repair], Benjamin Holmes, CEO of Nanochon, shares his story from the early days of academic research to the often harsh realities of leading a startup. Here’s what we learned from Ben: 1. Nanochon is developing a next-generation implantable device for cartilage repair—offering an early intervention alternative to knee replacement for active patients suffering from joint pain and cartilage loss. 2. Fundraising Masterclass! Hear how Ben raised nearly $10 million—including non-dilutive grants and angel funding—while staying lean, navigating market downturns, and prioritizing milestone-based fundraising over dilution worries. 3. Build a clear clinical roadmap. With strong large-animal data behind them, Nanochon is preparing for its first-in-human safety study in Canada, setting the stage for a pivotal randomized trial to support FDA approval and future commercialization. For more information, visit Nanochon.com.Jam with us wherever you get your podcasts! AppleSpotify

What a privilege to have a highly accomplished orthopedic spine surgeon, a Chief Medical Officer and an ‘Emerging Fund Manager’ jam with Chris and I this week. Here’s what we learned from Paul: 1. Emerging MedTech companies and physicians should partner early in a company’s journey to success. Hint – founders will get more value than just clinical input. 2. Pay it forward – Paul coaches his physician peers on how to advance physician autonomy, financial independence and entrepreneurship. 3. Raising a new fund is hard work – Paul shares his investment thesis and the challenge of being a founder of an emerging fund. To learn more about the fund, visit: PhyCapFund.comJam with us wherever you get your podcasts! Apple Spotify

Legend of the game David Anderson joins us on the MedTech Jam Session with Chris & Mike D to share the lessons learned during the early days of commercial processing of human tissue and introduce his latest innovation at Cambridge Orthopaedic. Here’s what we learned from David: 1. The original team set up MTF as a non-profit and how they partnered with FDA in this emerging market at the time. 2. Taking a company [Bionix] public sounds exciting; and it is but it’s also really hard. 3. Polyarmour, the first non-invasive external fixation system, is providing patients and clinicians with a clinically demonstrated new alternative to simple casting or internal fixation. Check it out at https://cambridgeorthopaediclabs.com/technology/ Jam with us wherever you get your podcasts!

Sports Medicine is a hot market right now and the team at Native Orthopedics, led by founder/CEO Tom Gamache, is launching Dragonfly, a gamechanger in the knee preservation segment. Here’s what we learned from Tom – 1. Meniscal root injuries have been massively underdiagnosed, and Dragonfly provides surgeons a solution to quickly tension, lock and retension in one fluid motion. Learn more at: https://www.nativeortho.com/ 2. Nail your supply chain early by selecting vendors that are approved suppliers of your target strategic acquirer. Pro move! 3. During early go-to-market, laser focus on key geographies and demonstrate stickiness and customer retention. Another pro move!

Serial entrepreneur Ken Gall brought the rhythm and the funk to this week’s MedTech Jam Session with Chris & Mike D. What will Ken teach us in this episode? 1. As a PhD, Ken didn’t just write a paper about nitinol, he built a company! 2. He raised millions of dollars to fund multiple companies without a venture capitalist. Skills! 3. Restor3d is building an impressive business with personalized 3-D printed implants and instruments in knee, hip, and foot & ankle with more options on the way! Learn more about Restor3d at https://www.restor3d.com/

CEO Mark Foster jams with Chris & Mike D. as they discuss how CurvaFix addresses the challenges of complex pelvic fractures, especially those fragility fractures that go untreated. Market development is not easy, and Mark shares his systematic process of commercializing a new therapy for a large and untapped indication. We also riff on what it takes to successfully raise money at all stages of a company’s journey. To learn more about CurvaFix, go to: https://curvafix.com/

Brian & Phil share the X-Bolt founding story and discuss their vision to revolutionize fixation in osteoporotic bone including collecting powerful clinical data prior to FDA approval. Genius! We also discuss the challenges of commercialization that all MedTech startups face when they go to market. To learn more about X-bolt, go to : https://www.x-bolt.com/

If you are in the MedTech industry and want to hear the stories from company builders, startup founders, and industry disrupters, you are in the right place! In this episode Chris Lyons and Mike Donoghue introduce the MedTech Jam Session where we will riff with the most interesting people in the world (sorry Dos Equis dude) and unpack the highs and lows of leading a medical device startup. We also give our predictions for what to expect at the 2025 AAOS Annual Meeting. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and tell a friend as well.