In this episode, TJ sits down with Alyssa Huffman, CEO and founder of ALLUMIN8, who shares the deeply personal story behind her groundbreaking medical device company. After witnessing her cousin become an incomplete quadriplegic with hardware complications at just 21 years old, followed by similar struggles with her uncle and father, Alyssa sketched out a revolutionary concept in the OR back in 2009. As a former distributor who represented implants "from the neck down," she recognized a critical gap in spine fusion technology—traditional hardware wasn't addressing the biological factors causing alarmingly high revision rates, even in young, healthy patients with excellent bone mineral density.The conversation explores ALLUMIN8's recent FDA clearance of the Integrate system, the world's first 5.5mm 3D-printed pedicle screw that creates an entirely new category called "therapeutic hardware." Alyssa breaks down the engineering challenges her team overcame to achieve what no one in history had accomplished before—creating a device that not only provides structural support but is designed to diagnose, treat, and heal directly through the implant itself. She explains the innovative Gaussian topography that mimics natural bone patterns, the strategic porous design that captures bone marrow during insertion, and her vision for the upcoming Circulate system that will enable surgeons to draw, analyze, and deliver patient-specific therapeutic compounds directly through the hardware. With her father and uncle having recently passed before seeing this milestone, Alyssa issues a passionate challenge to the spine community: let's stop spending hundreds of millions on products that provide only marginal improvements and instead work together toward the cumulative goal of reducing spine revision rates by 25%.Connect with ALLUMIN8:Website: https://linkly.link/2HeypLinkedIn: https://linkly.link/2HeyvFind them at NASS Denver 2025Follow on LinkedIn for live updates!
In this episode, TJ sits down with John Matthews, CEO of InkWell Health, whose journey from leading major orthopedic companies to founding a healthcare startup reveals the evolution of post-operative patient care. John shares his extensive background spanning DePuy, Johnson & Johnson, Wright Medical, and MicroPort, where he witnessed firsthand the seismic shift toward outpatient joint surgery and the critical gap it created in monitoring patients during their recovery at home. He explains how conversations with surgeons about the challenges of tracking patients between discharge and follow-up appointments, combined with the rising concern about emergency room visits after surgery, led to the development of InkWell's innovative solution.
The conversation explores the technology behind InkWell's smart temporary tattoo system, which uses computer vision algorithms to transform simple markings on a patient's skin into medical-grade data tracking swelling, range of motion, and temperature. John walks through the technical challenges his team overcame to create an algorithm that corrects for different phones, lighting conditions, and camera angles while maintaining accuracy, and how the system achieves an impressive 82% patient compliance rate with automated reminders and intuitive design.
Together, they discuss the clinical results showing how this data can identify patients at risk for manipulations or surgical site infections early enough to intervene, the reimbursement model using remote therapeutic monitoring codes that's making the technology financially viable for practices, and John's vision for expanding beyond knee replacements into hip, foot and ankle procedures, compression therapy, and international markets while positioning the company for future success.
If you'd like to learn more about InkWell Health, please visit: https://linkly.link/2GnAi
In this episode of OTW Spotlight, TJ sits down with Patrick O'Donnell, CEO, and Ian Helmar, co-founder and VP of R&D at NanoHive Medical, a company pioneering intelligent spinal fusion implants through advanced 3D-printed titanium technology. Patrick and Ian share how NanoHive is carving out its position in the highly competitive spine market by focusing on doing one thing better than anyone else—bioactive 3D-printed titanium interbody devices. They explain their unique approach to converting surgeons by tailoring conversations to specific pain points, whether it's device stiffness, imaging quality, or clinical outcomes, and how this strategy has helped them achieve a near 100% trial rate with surgeons who experience their technology.
The conversation explores NanoHive's "four pillars of fusion success"—stiffness, imaging, ongrowth, and ingrowth—with Ian breaking down how their proprietary lattice structure and subtractive surface treatment create implants that promote stronger bone healing while delivering diagnostic imaging quality far superior to traditional titanium implants. Patrick reveals the company's impressive growth trajectory, including 120% growth in Q3 and exceptional surgeon loyalty, with customers who started using their products five to seven years ago remaining loyal today. Looking ahead, they discuss NanoHive's ambitious vision for the future: embedding patient-powered sensor technology into their implants to capture real-time data that could revolutionize how fusion success is measured and verified, potentially establishing new standards of care in spine surgery while leveraging AI to deliver cost efficiencies across all stakeholders in the patient care episode.
To learn more about NanoHive Medical, visit: https://linkly.link/2Fxsh
We're joined on OTW POD by Douglas Fairbanks, CEO of VISIE, a company that may fundamentally change how surgeons use computers in the operating room.
Doug shares his personal journey from medical device sales rep to CEO of one of orthopedics' most innovative startups, revealing how his early life experiences sparked his lifelong commitment to improving healthcare delivery.
The conversation explores VISIE's breakthrough spatial computing technology, which uses structured light to track anatomy in real-time at 200-micron accuracy, updating 25 times per second. Fairbanks explains how their Austin-based team full of engineers who "don't know how to stop" solved problems others deemed impossible.
Robin and Doug candidly discuss the company's journey toward becoming an enabling platform for navigation, AR/VR, and robotics across multiple surgical specialties. Doug shares insights on capital efficiency, raising funds in a difficult fundraising environment, and the company's goal to become "invisible and silent"—seamlessly reducing cognitive load for surgeons without requiring them to serve the computer.
VISIE Inc: https://visie.io/
In this episode, Drue sits down with Lynn Malinoski, a patent attorney and IP strategist whose unique journey took her from pharmaceutical research at SmithKline to becoming global chief IP counsel at Synthes before the Johnson & Johnson acquisition. Lynn shares her unconventional path from initially planning medical school to discovering her passion for patent law, and how her chemistry background led her into the complex world of medical device intellectual property litigation and strategy.The conversation explores the often misunderstood world of patents, starting with one of the biggest myths Lynn encounters: that having a patent automatically gives you the right to practice your invention. She explains the critical distinction between patent rights and freedom to operate, using simple examples like the pencil-and-eraser analogy to illustrate how existing patents can block even patent holders from commercializing their own inventions. Lynn walks through the entire patent process for individual inventors and reveals the realistic costs and timelines involved.The discussion delves into practical strategies for surgeons and inventors, covering essential topics like when to conduct patent searches, how to approach companies with ideas while protecting intellectual property, and the critical importance of filing provisional patents before any public disclosure. Lynn shares cautionary tales from her experience and emphasizes the treacherous waters inventors must navigate when socializing ideas to strategic partners without proper NDAs and careful disclosure management.Get in touch with Lynn!Website: https://ipstrategiclegal.com/Email: lynnmalinoski@iplaw.business
We're joined on OTW POD by Albert DaCosta, founder and former CEO of Paragon 28, who completed one of orthopedics' most impressive exits this April, selling to Zimmer Biomet for $1.2 billion.
DaCosta shares his remarkable journey from chemical engineering graduate to medical device sales rep to successful entrepreneur, revealing how his Portuguese upbringing and experience with his sister's spina bifida shaped his business values and deep commitment to serving patients with disabilities.
The conversation explores how DaCosta identified foot and ankle as the most neglected area of orthopedics, where surgeons were using trauma plates and screws borrowed from other body parts. On day one of founding Paragon 28 in August 2010, they documented 73 unmet clinical needs in the space. Together with co-founder Lee Rosenthal, they bootstrapped the company, starting in a basement, pooling their life savings, and initially partnering with German company, Normed, based on a handshake agreement.
DaCosta candidly discusses the strategic pivots that defined their journey, from changing their original distribution-to-R&D model to eventually going public in 2021. He shares invaluable advice for entrepreneurs about staying humble, embracing failure, maintaining fiscal discipline, and building authentic culture. Albert emphasizes his philosophy of spending every dollar as if it were your own and the importance of loving what you do, rather than just looking for what you'd love to do.
In this episode, Drue sits down with Gary Stevenson, a seasoned venture capitalist and managing partner at Healthpoint Capital, whose 24-year journey in musculoskeletal investing has made him a cornerstone of the orthopedic startup community. Starting as a CPA at Arthur Andersen, Gary transitioned into medical device experience at Abbott Labs and investment banking at Morgan Keegan. He shares what led him to launch MB Venture Partners in Memphis, where he raised $130 million across four funds, with 80% of the focus on the musculoskeletal space.
Gary reveals the strategic thinking behind his focus on orthopedics and spine, explaining how domain expertise and relationships create competitive advantages for both investors and the companies they back. He discusses pattern recognition from nearly 500 companies he's encountered, emphasizing the critical importance of starting with unmet clinical needs rather than looking for problems to solve with existing technologies. The conversation explores the challenging dynamics of startup leadership transitions, with Gary sharing insights on when founding entrepreneurs can take companies all the way versus when professional management changes become necessary.
We discuss a crown jewel of the orthopedic industry, the Musculoskeletal New Ventures Conference (MNVC), celebrating its 23rd year as the industry's only dedicated orthopedic and spine startup showcase. Gary explains how the Memphis-based conference they started has become the premier venue, where 40 companies present to 200 targeted investors and strategics over two days, featuring longer 20-minute presentations that allow for meaningful depth. Together, they explore what makes MNVC unique in the conference landscape, from its exclusive MSK focus and premium venue to the relationships and deals that have emerged from this carefully curated gathering of the orthopedic innovation ecosystem.
Navigating the Fast Track: How BDD and NTAP Can Accelerate Your Medical Device to Market with Carter LonsburyIn this episode, we sit down with Carter Lonsberry, a 20-year industry veteran and consultant specializing in breakthrough device pathways. Carter breaks down the often-confusing world of Breakthrough Device Designation (BDD) and New Technology Add-on Payment (NTAP) - two critical FDA and CMS programs that can fast-track innovative medical devices to market while securing enhanced reimbursement.From his personal journey starting as an 18-year-old in the OR to building his own distribution company, Carter shares hard-won insights about bringing life-saving technology to patients faster. He explains how these programs work together to solve the classic medical device challenge: getting innovative products approved AND paid for.Key Topics Covered:- What BDD and NTAP actually mean for device companies and hospitals- The step-by-step process and timeline for applications- Real-world examples, including icotec and MiRus success stories- Why timing your application before 510K submission is critical- How enhanced Medicare reimbursement removes adoption barriers- Common pitfalls and compliance requirements- Upcoming policy changes under the new administrationWhether you're a startup developing your first device, an established company looking to accelerate market entry, or a sales professional who needs to understand reimbursement dynamics, this episode provides actionable intelligence you won't find anywhere else.
In this episode, Drue sits down with Dr. Kishore Tipirneni, an orthopedic surgeon from Phoenix, Arizona, whose fascinating journey spans from accidental medical student to serial tech entrepreneur. Dr. Tipirneni shares his unique story of immigrating from India at age four, initially pursuing computer science dreams before being convinced by his father to try medicine, and how that "one-year trial" led to an unexpected but successful career in orthopedics. He opens up about his entrepreneurial ventures, including building and selling a digital imaging company to Stryker, authoring a bestselling sci-fi trilogy that explores the intersection of biology and technology, and his current mission to solve one of medicine's biggest frustrations. The conversation dives deep into his latest creation, Tempida, an AI-powered platform that records patient visits and automatically generates comprehensive medical notes, promising to eliminate the documentation burden that's driving physician burnout. Dr. Tipirneni explains how his system uses multiple AI components to create contextually aware notes that not only capture conversations accurately but also customize documentation to reduce insurance denials and improve workflow efficiency. Together, they explore how this technology could revolutionize medical practice by freeing physicians from EMR drudgery, allowing them to see more patients while spending quality time focused on what they love most—diagnosing and treating patients rather than clicking through endless digital forms.Stay till the end to see a live demo of Tempida! Click here to register for a 200-minute free trial of Tempida: https://app.tempida.com/SignUp?ref=DR3498AU
In this episode, Drue welcomes Dr. Brian Blackwood, an orthopedic surgeon from Boulder, Colorado, known for his bold and unafraid voice on industry issues. Dr. Blackwood shares his journey from Montana to medical school, reflecting on how his family's work ethic and football background shaped his approach to surgery and teamwork. He opens up about his personal battle with burnout, the importance of seeking mental health support, and his viral stand against the controversial "rep scrubs" policy. The conversation explores his passion for robotics in joint replacement, his views on loyalty and treating industry partners with respect, and his perspective on the broken healthcare system where physician reimbursement continues to decline while administrative costs soar. Together, they discuss the urgent need for doctors to advocate for their value and the critical role they play in healthcare delivery.
In this episode, Drue welcomes Dr. John Peloza, an internationally recognized leader in spine surgery, and Brad Niemann, CEO of 4WEB. Dr. Peloza reflects on his journey from the Air Force Academy to the forefront of spine innovation, sharing how mentorship, curiosity, and a passion for technology shaped his career. He recounts working alongside legendary surgeons like Richard Steadman and David Selby, his role in advancing spine care and minimally invasive techniques, and his perspective on the evolution of interbody cage technology-including the science behind 4WEB’s truss implant design. Brad Nieman discusses his own path from collegiate athletics to medtech leadership, emphasizing the parallels between sports, business, and building high-performing teams. Together, they explore the importance of continuous improvement, the impact of mentorship, and how engineering and biomechanics are transforming spine care.
In this episode, Robin Young interviews Dr. Stephen Hochschuler, co-founder of Texas Back Institute (TBI). At 82, Dr. Hochschuler shares his "looking where the puck is going" philosophy that guided his innovative career in spine surgery. He recounts founding TBI with Dr. Ralph Rashbaum in 1977, their pioneering work in disc arthroplasty, and building what became recognized as the premier academic private practice in spine care. Dr. Hochschuler discusses the importance of surrounding yourself with talented people, current interests in AI and healthcare startups, and his perspective on the evolving landscape of spine treatment.
In this inaugural episode, Drue sits down with Robin Young, founder of Orthopedics This Week (OTW), for a candid discussion about his remarkable career journey. From his early days as a Wall Street analyst to becoming one of the most respected voices in orthopedics, Robin shares stories about the people, companies, and innovations that have defined the industry.
