The Medtech Impact Podcast Kyle Kruse (@Medtech_Missile) & Richard Meiklejohn (@InnovationBeacon)

While the U.S. leads in many areas of healthcare innovation, it also lags behind much of the industrialized world in providing care for some of its most vulnerable populations. When it comes to maternal health, March of Dimes reports that a woman dies every 12 hours from pregnancy-related causes, deaths that show huge disparities and could be prevented. As an international leader in healthcare innovation, Philips is investing billions of dollars every year to advance R&D and help tackle health disparities. Jennifer Law, Philips’ recently appointed Maternal Health Leader, joins this episode to share how they are partnering with customers to increase productivity and deliver better care for more mothers across the world.Jennifer shares insights into some of the technology that is shaping improved outcomes, helping to reach people in new places, and with enhanced intelligence. From AI to tele-health solutions, the underpinning factor is an inclusive approach that has a personal touch. Tune in to learn more about how Jennifer is helping guide Philips’ mission in maternal health, a story packed with passion that is sure to leave you informed and inspired.

In this enlightening episode, CEO & co-founder Melody Roberts delves into the often-overlooked topic of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) and its impact on women's lives. SUI, a condition where physical movement or activity causes involuntary leakage of urine, affects millions of women, impacting their confidence and quality of life. Melody breaks down the causes, from childbirth to menopause, and the daily challenges women face, including the stigma and emotional toll associated with the condition.Melody introduces the innovative work being done at Liv Labs, a company dedicated to empowering women through education and novel solutions. She highlights Liv Labs' new coaching service and plans for a comprehensive online education platform, designed to provide women with the knowledge and resources they need to understand and manage SUI. Moreover, you can learn about Liv Labs' development of a cutting-edge pessary solution—a non-invasive device that offers a discreet and effective way to manage symptoms, allowing women to regain control and live their lives without interruption.Join Melody as she shines a light on SUI and shares how Liv Labs is pioneering change, providing hope, and improving the lives of countless women around the world. From their dynamic design duo roots to a mission centered around community, this is a conversation sure to leave you informed and inspired.

Large numbers of people are affected by infertility in their lifetime. According to a new report published today by the World Health Organization, around 17.5% of the adult population – roughly 1 in 6 worldwide – experience infertility, showing the urgent need to increase access to affordable, high-quality fertility care for those in need.The new estimates show limited variation in the prevalence of infertility between regions. The rates are comparable for high-, middle- and low-income countries, indicating that this is a major health challenge globally. Lifetime prevalence was 17.8% in high-income countries and 16.5% in low- and middle-income countries.Joining this episode to share their mission to solve some of the problems couples are facing, is the dynamic duo of Andreia Trigo (CEO) and husband Frank Khan Sullivan (CTO) of Enhanced Fertility. Their platform is bringing a new level of data-driven accessibility to patients from the comfort of their homes. Andreia’s shares how current inadequate systems impacted her own fertility journey, an emotional story that sets the stage for the collaborative program they are providing to deliver better outcomes for couples across the globe.Founders’ stories are often intertwined with personal knowledge of the problem they are looking to solve. From the get-go learning about Andreia’s own experiences, this discussion offers a range of insights into the trials and tribulations that couples are facing through their fertility journeys. Frank shares how their North Star is referred to as Net Baby Score, a measured commitment to help millions of people procreate their families, an incredible mission that is sure to leave you informed and inspired.

Breast cancer is the most commonly occurring cancer in women and the most common cancer overall. Treatment often starts with a surgery known as a lumpectomy to remove the cancer, but in a high % of cases, patients may undergo multiple re-excisions after their procedure in an attempt to obtain clear margins and avoid mastectomy.In this episode, CEO of Dilon Technologies, George Makhoul, shares how they are helping to significantly reduce the need for re-excision with the use of their MarginProbe. A lumpectomy is a challenging surgical procedure, complicated by two obvious yet conflicting priorities: excise as much tissue as necessary to remove the cancer from the breast, remove as little tissue as possible to achieve the best cosmetic result.The MarginProbe System is designed to give today’s surgeons a significant new advantage in margin assessment. In a procedure of roughly five minutes, MarginProbe provides real-time, detailed information to help a surgeon decide whether additional tissue should be taken, or whether to complete the lumpectomy procedure and close the incision.George’s background in marketing gives him a strong edge in the art of communication with stakeholders which shines through as he details the technology’s journey over the past four years. His consummate professionalism in articulating a clear approach and vision, has helped position Dilon as a leader in its field, backed up by some game-changing innovation that can significantly improve the outcomes for patients. With an inspiring mission for creating impact across the globe for women, this discussion will truly leave you informed and inspired.

The rigid, plastic T-shaped intrauterine device (IUD) has been available for over 40 years, with little to no innovation. Insertion is painful and involves numerous painful steps, and removal requires bothersome dangling strings, which are a nuisance for women and their partners. Most importantly, the pain associated with insertion and removal is widely known, leading to a nearly universal fear, particularly among younger women, of selecting an IUD. This ‘fear factor’ is a significant barrier that prevents women from adopting one of the most effective forms of contraception. 3Daughters’ goal is to eliminate this barrier to adoption and radically transform the IUD experience for both practitioners and patients.Mary Beth Cicero, CEO and co-founder of 3Daugthers, joins this episode to share how their innovative design forms a small frameless magnetic IUD that self-assembles in the uterus and conforms to a women’s body – with no strings attached. Through technological and scientific advancements, 3Daughters is addressing the pain and resulting ‘fear factor’ of IUD insertion.Alongside experienced co-founder Shelley Amster, Mary Beth discusses how in just two years the company has already made significant progress to translate their novel approach. With a comprehensive system and high-performance team, there is a belief within that this could be the first billion-dollar women’s health product. Big problems require big vision thinking, and it’s clear through this conversation that this is a team brimming with the passion and perseverance to realize their goals. As a seasoned consultant and marketer, Mary Beth offers some welcome insights as to what it takes to build a solution when those around you might not share the same optimism. #IUD has been trending for the wrong reasons and 3Daughters is on a mission to change the status quo. If you’re ready to be informed and inspired, then listen in.

Transforming the outcomes for a disease takes great innovation. With that, you need impeccable dedication and leadership for the team to deliver on taking a solution to market. Former CEO of LimFlow, Dan Rose, is one such leader who can attest to the trials and tribulations of this challenging journey.Dan joins this episode to share the story of how LimFlow’s technology has gone from an idea with potential, to a life-saving solution. In achieving this, the company has been able to re-design the anatomy of the body to offer hope to those suffering the effects of Chronic Limb-Threatening Ischemia (CLTI).During this discussion you will learn the despairing depths of a disease that is quite literally ravaging people’s lives. Dan shares how he was able to build a world class team from across the globe to design a new option for patients where none existed before. Navigating numerous challenges, raising significant amounts of capital, and leading the company to a successful acquisition by Inari Medical; From beginning to end, this tale will truly leave you informed and inspired.