Remote by Design: Scaling Care Globally with Telemedicine and Telerobotics | Yulun Wang PhD | Episode 07

In this episode, Dr. Yauheni Solad interviews Yulun Wang, a pioneering innovator who created the first FDA-cleared surgical robot and founded InTouch Health (acquired by Teladoc in 2020). Discover how Wang foresaw the potential of telemedicine decades before COVID-19 and learn about his current work on remote surgery technologies that could revolutionize global healthcare access.

Key Topics:

• The evolution of surgical robotics from the 1990s to present day
• How the first transatlantic telesurgery (the Lindbergh operation) was performed in 2001
• Overcoming technological limitations of early internet for healthcare applications
• Finding the right "beachhead" use cases for new healthcare technologies
• Navigating regulatory barriers and payment models for telemedicine
• The impact of COVID-19 on accelerating virtual care adoption
• The future of AI-assisted surgery and remote procedures
• Why market forces struggle to improve healthcare value

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and Yulun Wang's background in robotics
05:31 - Technological challenges of early telemedicine implementation
13:41 - Finding the right use cases and beachhead applications
21:07 - Navigating regulatory landscapes and payment models
29:06 - The impact of COVID-19 on telemedicine adoption
39:03 - The future of digital health post-pandemic adoption curve
48:50 - Innovations in surgical robotics and remote procedures
54:51 - Reforming healthcare through improved market forces

About Yulun Wang:

Yulun Wang is a pioneer in medical robotics and telemedicine. He founded Computer Motion in 1990, which developed the first FDA-cleared surgical robot, and later founded InTouch Health, a leader in telehealth solutions that was acquired by Teladoc in 2020. Currently, he is developing remote surgery technologies through his new venture, Sovato Health.

About ReAligned Healthcare:

The ReAligned Healthcare podcast explores innovations and ideas that can transform healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes. Join host Dr. Yauheni Solad as he interviews healthcare leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries who are working to create a more effective, equitable healthcare system.

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