Calcified arteries remain one of the toughest challenges in cardiology and peripheral vascular care. Robert Chisena, CTO and co-founder of AVS Pulse Technologies, explains how their intravascular lithotripsy platform uses pulsatile CO₂ energy to fracture calcium safely and effectively.

We cover how AVS Pulse differentiates from competitors, the “smart” IVL feedback system, and why this space has become one of the hottest in medtech after multibillion-dollar acquisitions.

Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Why calcified arterial disease is such a challenge

01:22 – Meet Robert Chisena, CTO and co-founder of AVS Pulse Technologies

02:01 – How calcium buildup blocks blood flow and leads to serious outcomes

03:07 – Why existing technologies struggle with calcium treatment

04:42 – AVS Pulse origins at the University of Michigan

05:34 – Finding the “chinks in the armor” of calcium

06:27 – How pulsatile CO₂ energy fractures calcium

07:38 – The water hammer effect explained

08:37 – Comparing AVS Pulse to existing lithotripsy devices

09:47 – Differentiators: low profile, flexibility, energy efficiency

11:14 – 5000 pulses vs rationing with other catheters

13:12 – Clinical studies show fast, safe outcomes in complex lesions

13:45 – First “smart” IVL device with intra-procedural feedback

14:54 – Regulatory pathway and pivotal trials in peripheral and coronary indications

17:02 – Promising first-in-human PAD I study results

19:07 – How energy delivery reduces dissections compared to other methods

21:24 – What happens to calcium once fractured

22:01 – Positioning IVL as a prep tool for stenting

23:32 – Differentiating IVL from thrombectomy and other treatments

23:38 – Funding raised and milestones ahead

24:45 – Timeline for commercial launch and next clinical trials

25:02 – Upcoming conferences: TCT and VIVA presentations

26:08 – Why the market is heating up and where AVS Pulse fits in

Are you a medtech CEO in need of some marketing help attracting investors, growing sales pipeline, and more? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GrowMyMedtech.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to book time for a free analysis.

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What if brain surgery no longer required a scalpel? Dr. Maurice Ferré, CEO of Insightec and co-founder of Mako Surgical, shares how MRI-guided focused ultrasound is redefining neurosurgery.

We discuss Insightec’s journey, the 2016 NEJM study that changed everything, and why focused ultrasound could transform treatment for tremor, Parkinson’s, and beyond.

Episode Breakdown

00:00 – Opening and welcome

01:02 – Introducing Dr. Maurice Ferré and Insightec

03:07 – From Mako Surgical to non-invasive brain surgery

05:44 – Focused ultrasound explained: sound as a scalpel

07:55 – First approvals for essential tremor and Parkinson’s

10:12 – Why 2016 NEJM study marked a turning point

12:20 – How MRgFUS compares to deep brain stimulation

14:18 – Expanding applications: neuromodulation, blood-brain barrier, oncology

16:42 – Patient experience: awake, no incision, same-day recovery

19:04 – Challenges: access, training, and reimbursement

21:37 – The milestone of 250M lives now covered

24:05 – Scaling to $100M revenue and global adoption

26:14 – The Prime system: simplifying workflow and expanding access

28:40 – Partnering with clinicians to drive real-world use

30:12 – Focus Forward: building the user community

32:20 – Where focused ultrasound is headed next

34:02 – Closing reflections and advice for future leaders

Are you a medtech CEO in need of some marketing help attracting investors, growing sales pipeline, and more? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GrowMyMedtech.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to book time for a free analysis.

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Every leader has scars from bad decisions. Scott Huennekens, medtech’s “GOAT operator” and board veteran, shares the toughest lessons from his career, including the worst deals he ever made.

We cover the six pack of mistakes, why culture and fit matter more than numbers, and how these failures shaped his approach to leadership, boards, and building value.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 – Opening: why failure stories matter more than success stories

01:12 – Introducing Scott Huennekens and his track record in medtech

03:05 – The six pack of mistakes leaders repeat

05:18 – Lesson one: falling in love with the technology, not the team

07:42 – Lesson two: underestimating how long reimbursement takes

10:03 – Lesson three: chasing markets too early

13:20 – The five worst deals Scott ever made

17:11 – Case one: wrong founder, wrong fit

20:34 – Case two: technology ahead of its time

23:40 – Case three: too much money raised, no discipline

27:28 – Case four: ignoring culture red flags

32:00 – Case five: strategic partnerships gone wrong

37:41 – Why great boards matter in preventing bad decisions

42:15 – How humility and honesty shape leadership

46:54 – Advice for founders on picking investors and partners

49:38 – Final thoughts: learning from scars, not slides

Are you a medtech CEO in need of some marketing help attracting investors, growing sales pipeline, and more? Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GrowMyMedtech.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to book time for a free analysis.

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#Medtech #Leadership #ScottHuennekens #Healthcare #MedicalDevices #Entrepreneurship