Medical device companies are presently grappling with a host of economic challenges, but there is actually no shortage of opportunities for medtech engineering and innovation.

Want to discover opportunities? Register for DeviceTalks Boston, May 10–11. 

Here are some of the medtech engineering and innovation opportunities we’ll explore.

Competitive ablation field — medtech engineering and innovation

Cardiac ablation is becoming an increasingly competitive field with entrenched and emerging players.

Opportunity: Medtronic last year paid $1 billion for Affera’s advanced mapping and ablation technology. The company’s Sphere-9 catheter in March secured CE Mark approval. (It’s currently undergoing a pivotal clinical trial in the U.S.) In this presentation, Tim Laske — Medtronic’s VP of Research & Business Development, Cardiac Ablation Solutions — will share how the company is leveraging the unique flexibility and durability of nitinol to construct the Sphere-9 catheter, potentially giving the company a leg up in a competitive space.

Designing pediatric devices — medtech engineering and innovation

Designing surgical implants for pediatric patients is difficult.

Opportunity: Cracking the code for pediatric implants can open new markets. ZimVie recently secured a string of reimbursement approvals for its Tether Vertebral Body Tethering System, a non-fusion spinal device intended for treatment of idiopathic scoliosis. In this panel, Rebecca Whitney, global president of spine, and Ryan Watson, director of R&D, will detail the work that went into the design, construction and commercial rollout of this novel device.

Incremental innovation — medtech engineering and innovation

Medical device companies selling new technologies and tools face increased scrutiny from hospital technology committees. Hospitals are in crisis mode and have less time to onboard new tools, so any new tech must be essential.

Opportunity: More than ever, engineers, product developers and clinical leaders at medical device companies must find a way to develop critical “need-to-have” functions in their new products. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Nitin Goyal, Zimmer Biomet’s chief science, technology and innovation officer, will discuss how the orthopedics giant looks to cut through resistance by incorporating critical customer needs into its innovation process.

Sensor overload — medtech engineering and innovation

Sensors are small and effective enough to find a home on many medical devices, but when does their addition make sense?

Opportunity: Boston Scientific sees a viable use in urology. Meghan Scanlon, president of Urology, will lead a discussion about the company’s LithoVue Elite Single-Use Digital Flexible Ureteroscope System, which is the first system with sensors capable of monitoring intrarenal pressure during procedures. The FDA issued 510(k) clearance for the device in February. Kristin LaRocca, SVP, sales, will be on hand to explain the market opportunities.

Risks with longer medical device lifespans — medtech engineering and innovation

Medical device makers building implantable devices to treat chronic diseases need to account for two important factors. First, materials used to make medical devices degrade over time, sometimes becoming toxic to the patients they’re built to help. Second, neurostimulators and other implantable devices requiring batteries need power sources with long lives or wireless rechargeability, or else the patient likely faces repeated surgical procedures.

Opportunity: Two presentations at DeviceTalks Boston will examine what it takes to build medical devices with longer lives. PSN Labs will look at how supply chain disruptions have forced device makers to use less optimal materials, increasing the risk of non-biocompatibility over time. PSN will offer possible solutions. Meanwhile, Resonant Link, which is collaborating with major medical companies, will examine advancements in wireless power that will lead to devices that last longer and create a competitive advantage.