Distalmotion CEO explains how Dexter fits into an evolving view on surgical robotics

In this episode of DeviceTalks Weekly, Medtronic’s Blake Tatum, Vice President of U.S. Commercial for Acute Care & Monitoring, joins Host Tom Salemi to unpack the evolving patient monitoring landscape. Tatum shares how Medtronic is integrating sensors, data, and digital health to support clinicians from the ICU to the home, why partnerships are reshaping the competitive playbook, and how lessons from the pandemic are driving a new focus on accuracy, equity, and connectivity in care delivery. This episode is sponsored by DeviceTalks Minnesota. Go to Minnesota.Devicetalks.com to check out the amazing agenda! Then Salemi and MassDevice editor Chris Newmarker review this week’s MedTech newsmakers including surgical robotics, Abbott, Stryker, Boston Scientific, and Medtronic. *** Enjoy the show? Follow DeviceTalks Weekly on all major podcast players + Follow us on YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode. Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe Chapters (00:05:15) - 10 surgical robotics companies you need to know (Go to MassDevice.com to download the report)(00:08:09) - Abbott completes Exact Sciences acquisition(00:09:37) - Stryker reportedly brings most services affected by cyberattack back online(00:11:20) - Boston Scientific has reportedly had pacemaker battery problems for years(00:14:01) - Round up of Medtronic News(00:21:30) - Keynote interview with Medtronic’s Blake Tatum

In this episode of DeviceTalks Weekly, Distalmotion CEO Greg Roche updates Host Tom Salemi on the surgical robotics company’s commercial roll out of Dexter, a robotic system designed for ambulatory surgery centers. Roche shares the lessons he’s learned after a decade in surgical robotics and why he’s particularly optimistic about his company’s outcome. You can hear Greg Roche’s first appearance on the podcast right here: https://www.devicetalks.com/why-distalmotions-roche-sees-dexters-small-size-as-big-advantage-in-the-robotics-surgical-market/  This episode is sponsored by DeviceTalks Boston. Register at Boston.DeviceTalks.com. Use the code DTW25 to save 25% off the registration price. Rachel Robinson, COO of MassMEDIC, joins the MassDevice Newmarker’s Newsmakers with Salemi and Editor Chris Newmarker – Stryker, CMR Surgical, Revolve Surgical, JenaValve, and MassDevice’s Surgical Robotics Special Report for 2026. You can download the report with 70+ profiles of surgical robotics companies here - https://www.massdevice.com/surgical-robotics-special-report-2026/ Robinson also welcomes listeners to attend MassMEDIC’s Symposium & Gala on April 2. Go to MassMEDIC.com to see the agenda and to register. *** Enjoy the show? Follow DeviceTalks Weekly on all major podcast players + Follow us on YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode. Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe Chapters (00:04:15) - MassMEDIC COO Rachel Robinson discusses the Medtech Impact Symposium & Gala(00:10:05) - MassDevice’s Surgical Robotics Special Report for 2026(00:11:58) - Stryker CEO Kevin Lobo joins GE HealthCare board of directors(00:14:35) - CMR Surgical, Nvidia collab to train next-gen surgical robots(00:18:02) - Revolve Surgical wins FDA clearance for surgical robot(00:21:00) - JenaValve wins FDA nod for Trilogy heart valve system(00:25:45) - Keynote Interview – Greg Roche, CEO, Distalmotion

In this episode of the DeviceTalks Weekly podcast, Stephen From, the new CEO of Vicarious Surgical, explains why he jumped the chasm from biotech to lead surgical robotics company Vicarious Surgical. From brings years of experience bringing products to market and he lays out the plan for Vicarious’s single-incision robot to Host Tom Salemi. Next, Salemi interviews Bill Frey, Regional Sales Engineer, Harmonic Drive, about the unique challenges of surgical robotics. For more information about Harmonic Drive, go to www.harmonicdrive.net. But we’ll start off with Salemi and MassDevice Editor Chris Newmarker discussing this week’s Newmarker’s Newsmakers – Petal Surgical, Abbott, Stryker, and Medtronic. *** Enjoy the show? Follow DeviceTalks Weekly on all major podcast players + Follow us on YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode. Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe Chapters (00:02:50) - Chris and Tom talk turkeys(00:06:20) - Incisionless surgical robot developer Petal Surgical adds more funding, Fred Moll joins board(00:09:50) - Abbott completes $20B offering for Exact Sciences buy(00:12:02) - Stryker launches SmartHospital platform to elevate care delivery(00:15:00) - Stryker reportedly hit with Iran-backed cyberattack(00:16:41) - Medtronic makes neurovascular play with $550M Scientia Vascular buy(00:18:55) - FOMO - Bill Frey, Regional Sales Engineer, Harmonic Drive(00:30:05) - Keynote Conversation, Stephen From, CEO, Vicarious Surgical

In this episode of the DeviceTalks Weekly podcast, Jessica Mathieson, president of Stryker’s medical business, takes Host Tom Salemi to the frontlines of healthcare, where hospitals are seeking support for healthcare professionals. Mathieson will explain how the acquisitions of Vocera and Care AI have enabled Stryker to build a comprehensive communications and monitoring tool that can keep nurses safe while improving patient care. Find Mathieson’s first visit to DeviceTalks here: https://www.stryker.com/us/en/about/news/2022/acute-care-s-mathieson-explains-how-vocera-fits-into-stryker-s-g.html And as an added bonus, on Monday, March 9th, Stryker announced that it launched its new SmartHospital platform. Learn more here: https://www.massdevice.com/stryker-launches-smarthospital-platform-care-delivery/ In this week’s FOMO, Ignacio Pedrosa, Advanced Solutions Engineer at Novanta, talks with Kayleen Brown about the company’s work to make surgical robotic systems smaller, smarter and more capable. For more information, go to https://novanta.com. In this week’s Newmarker’s Newsmakers, MassDevice Editor Chris Newmarker and Salemi talk about their favorite flavor of Girl Scout cookie. (Buy yours in the link below) before talking about the top stories of the week – Smith & Nephew, Science Corp., Boston Scientific, Medtronic and, in a bit of Meta-ness – an article about Jenny Barba’s appearance on the podcast two weeks ago! Go here to buy cookies from Chris’s daughter! - https://digitalcookie.girlscouts.org/scout/stella590572 *** Enjoy the show? Follow DeviceTalks Weekly on all major podcast players + Follow us on YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode. Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe  Chapters (00:05:42) - Smith+Nephew posts Q4 sales beat amid overall strategy shift(00:07:39) - 3 tips for first-time medtech entrepreneurs from a venture capital pro(00:09:51) - Science Corp. closes $230M Series C to support BCI tech(00:13:27) - Boston Scientific wins expanded CE mark for Farapulse in persistent AFib(00:17:01) - Medtronic, GE HealthCare expand strategic alliance

In this episode, Armor Medical Co-founder and CEO Kelsey Mayo shares her ultimate entrepreneurial journey. Mayo recognized early on that her career needed to make an impact, but the focus of her passion became clear after a frightening experience of her own. Today, she’s CEO of a startup building a wearable device that can serve as an early warning system for hemorrhaging. This could immediately protect the lives of women giving birth and ultimately replace guesswork with irrefutable data. Armor Medical won MedTech Innovator’s top award at AdvaMed in the fall. This episode is sponsored by DeviceTalks Minnesota. Speaking of MedTech Innovator, CEO Paul Grand joins Tom Salemi and Chris Newmarker to analyze this week’s top Newsmakers from MassDevice — DePuy Synthes, Medtronic, Pharaoh Neuro, Stryker, and Boston Scientific. Grand also introduced MedTech Innovator’s Radar Forum: https://medtechinnovator.org/radarforum2026/ *** Enjoy the show? Follow DeviceTalks Weekly on all major podcast players + Follow us on YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode.Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe Chapters (00:03:30) - MedTech Innovator Radar Forum(00:12:06) - Pharaoh Neuro raises $20M, names former Medtronic exec as CEO(00:15:05) - Medtronic MiniMed Diabetes unit prices IPO at up to $784M(00:20:40) - Medtronic wins CE mark for next-gen GI Genius module, ColonPRO software(00:22:50) - AHA, ACC issue guidelines for pulmonary embolism that affect Boston Scientific, Stryker(00:24:56) - Johnson & Johnson MedTech reportedly eyes $20B deal to sell DePuy Synthes ortho unit(00:34:13) - Keynote interview: Kelsey Mayo, Co-founder and CEO, Armor Medical

In this episode of DeviceTalks Weekly, Managing Editor Kayleen Brown takes the helm, leading a keynote interview with Jenny Barba, co-founder of Features Capital. Barba shares her path into venture capital, identifies winning strategies for start-ups, and highlights some of the more exciting companies in the Features Capital portfolio. A special thanks to this episode’s sponsor, SHL Healthcare, for supporting DeviceTalks! Go to www.shl-healthcare.com for more information. As a special bonus, download SHL Healthcare's complimentary white paper highlighting the outcomes of using the combination of advanced sewing, welding, and electromechanical assembly here: https://www.devicetalks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SHL-Healthcare_Whitepaper_Integrated-Approach.pdf Kayleen Brown also leads our FOMO interview with Nick West, MD, chief medical officer of Shockwave Medical, part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech. They talk about the future calcium modification, intravascular lithotripsy, and the evolving treatment of vascular disease. We’ll start things off with Host Tom Salemi and Chris Newmarker of MassDevice reviewing the newsmakers of the week - BioVentrix, Medical 21, VB Spine, Augmedics, Medtronic, Danaher, and Masimo. *** Enjoy the show? Follow DeviceTalks Weekly on all major podcast players + Follow us on YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode. Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe Chapters (00:06:47) - #5 BioVentrix & Medical 21 IPOs(00:10:24) - #4 VB Spine acquires Augmedics(00:11:35) - #3 Medtronic Stealth Access robotic system(00:13:14) - #2 Medtronic earnings & growth updates(00:17:00) - #1 Danaher to acquire Masimo(00:23:15) - FOMO Interview – Nick West, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Shockwave Medical, part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech(00:23:42) - Part 1 of our interview with Per Bjorkman, Chief Commercial Officer, SHL Healthcare(00:41:31) - Keynote Interview, Jenny Barba, co-founder, Features Capital

In this episode of DeviceTalks Weekly, Host Tom Salemi speaks with MedTech veteran Darrin Uecker about a career shaped by some of the industry’s most notable innovations and acquisitions. Uecker’s journey begins at Computer Motion, where he served as CTO through its historic acquisition by Intuitive Surgical. He recounts how that deal came together and traces the path that led him to senior leadership roles at multiple startups that ultimately achieved successful exits. Today, Uecker is chief technology officer at Pulse Biosciences, a small publicly traded company developing a next generation of pulsed-field ablation technology. He discusses the unconventional steps Pulse has taken to build its business, reviews the company’s latest clinical data, and shares his perspective on the future of the fast-moving PFA market. In our FOMO Interview, Ralph Kern, MD, chief medical officer of neuro startup Cognito Therapeutics, explains why he’s excited about technical advances in the field. He’s interviewed by Jim Hammerand, managing editor at Medical Design & Outsourcing magazine. As always we start the episode with MassDevice Editor Chris Newmarker and his top 5 stories of the week….aka Newmarker’s Newsmakers. Thank you for listening to DeviceTalks Weekly! *** Enjoy the show? Follow DeviceTalks Weekly on all major podcast players + Follow us on YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode. Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe Chapters (00:04:15) - Karl Storz, Smith+Nephew partner on advanced surgical tech(00:06:32) - NextSense debuts brain activity-sensing headphones to improve sleep(00:11:17) - Medtronic stock gets a ratings boost on new products(00:12:40) - Johnson & Johnson MedTech has encouraging Omnypulse results, more data backs Varipulse(00:14:35) - Stryker says DOJ, SEC have closed bribery probes(00:16:40) - FOMO Interview – Ralph Kern, MD, Chief Medical Officer, Cognito Therapeutics(00:28:15) - Keynote Interview – Darrin Uecker, Chief Technology Officer, Pulse Biosciences(00:48:05) - The Pulse Biosciences stor

In this episode of DeviceTalks Weekly, CathWorks CEO Ramin Mousavi explains how the company built a surprisingly fast path to acquisition.Founded in 2013, the startup was forced to go back to the drawing board. By incorporating LLMs and other advances, CathWorks developed a better way to diagnose heart disease—leading to a strategic investment from Medtronic in 2022 and a full acquisition announced this week.Mousavi also shares his personal path into MedTech, including the unlikely story of an Iranian-American leading an Israel-based startup. In a conversation with Host Tom Salemi, he reflects on how employees kept the company’s mission front and center through constant change.In this week’s FOMO, Managing Editor Kayleen Brown draws on her own experience with Type 2 diabetes to explore how Dexcom is using data and AI. She speaks with Girish Naganathan, EVP and Chief Technology Officer at Dexcom.Plus, MassDevice Editor Chris Newmarker delivers Newmarker’s Newsmakers, featuring Medtronic, Siemens Healthineers, Stryker, Boston Scientific, and Applied Medical. Thank you for listening to DeviceTalks Weekly! *** Enjoy the show? Follow DeviceTalks Weekly on all major podcast players + Follow us on YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode. Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe Chapters (00:02:38) - State of Minnesota / Newmarker’s Newsmakers(00:08:00) - Medtronic Structural Heart President Nina Goodheart to retire(00:09:11) - Siemens Healthineers unveils $12M R&D facility in Ireland(00:12:10) - Stryker officials have high hopes for 2026 with Mako RPS(00:13:54) - Boston Scientific posts Q4 beats as sales rise 16%, stock dips as EP sales come up short(00:16:19) - Medtronic reportedly must pay Applied Medical $382M over antitrust suit(00:21:52) - FOMO Interview – Girish Naganathan, EVP, Chief Technology Officer, Dexcom(00:32:28) - Keynote Interview – Ramin Mousavi, President, CEO, CathWorks

In this week’s episode of DeviceTalks Weekly, neurosurgeon Adam Arthur, MD, explains why he’s trading surgical scrubs for the chance to help lead Medtronic’s Neurovascular business as its new chief medical officer. Dr. Arthur joins Host Tom Salemi to discuss how neurosurgery is reaching more patients today—and what it must do to expand its impact in the years ahead. Before the keynote interview, Managing Editor Kayleen Brown speaks with Brittany Mai of Confluent Medical Technologies about the future of neuro and minimally invasive surgery. Thank you to Confluent for sponsoring this week’s episode. Learn more at ConfluentMedical.com. At the top of the show, MassDevice Editor Chris Newmarker talks with Wayne Paterson, CEO of Anteris Technologies, about the company’s new agreement with Medtronic and what it means for the future of TAVR. Thank you for listening to DeviceTalks Weekly! *** Enjoy the show? Follow DeviceTalks Weekly on all major podcast players + Follow us on YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode. Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe Chapters (00:03:38) - Chris Newmarker interviews Wayne Paterson, CEO of Anteris Technologies(00:06:10) - This is not your Father’s TAVR(00:08:00) - Terms of the Medtronic investment(00:25:30) - Kayleen Brown sits down with Brittany Mai of Confluent Medical(00:29:50) - How is minimally invasive technology changing?(00:31:28) - Keynote conversation – Adam Arthur, MD, new chief medical officer for Medtronic Neurovascular(00:35:30) - What makes a good neurosurgeon?(00:39:01) - Choosing impact over intimacy(00:44:50) - What do patients fear more than death?(00:49:45) - More focus needed on Women’s neurological health including chronic refractory migraine

In this episode of DeviceTalks Weekly, Host Tom Salemi interviews Jupiter Endovascular CEO Carl St. Bernard about the “soft” design of the company's TFX technology, designed to simplify the complicated procedure of clearing cardiovascular blockages, including pulmonary artery embolisms. Jupiter is recording fundraising and clinical trials wins. St. Bernard shares what’s next. In this week’s FOMO, Kayleen Brown interviews Javier Olea, Life Science Segment Director at Averna about test and measurement in medical device manufacturing. Visit www.averna.com to learn more. We open the episode with this week’s Newsmakers compiled by MassDevice Editor Chris Newmarker – Merge, OpenAI, Abbott, Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Anteris Technologies. To register for our upcoming Cardiac Innovation series go here: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/5203526/B4EE367D76F7ECCAC132665B50E61A7C/5516160?partnerref=Podcast *** Enjoy the show? Follow DeviceTalks Weekly on all major podcast players + Follow us on YouTube.com/@DeviceTalks to ensure you never miss an episode. Want access to the complete DeviceTalks Podcast Network (DTPN)? Follow us today at https://devicetalks.castos.com/subscribe Chapters (00:06:00) - #5 - OpenAI invests in Sam Altman’s Merge Labs BCI startup(00:08:30) - #4 - Abbott picks up CE mark for TactiFlex dual-energy ablation catheter(00:11:27) - #3 - Johnson & Johnson MedTech sales up 7.5% in Q4(00:13:24) - #2 - Boston Scientific has a potentially serious Axios stent recall(00:15:00) - #1 - Medtronic to invest up to $90M in Anteris Technologies(00:21:20) - FOMO - Advancing Test & Measurement Strategies in MedTech Manufacturing with Javier Olea of Averna(00:32:50) - Keynote Interview: Carl St. Bernard, CEO, Jupiter Endovascular