Global Medical Device Podcast powered by Greenlight Guru

Medical device reimbursement is a key consideration that must be well researched, understood, and managed by companies in order to ensure no money, to which you’re entitled to, is left on the table. In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Jon Speer talks to Mike Drues from Vascular Sciences about the importance of medical device reimbursement and offers tips listeners can use to build a competitive reimbursement strategy that puts dollars back in the company’s pocket once a device is on the market.

Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADx) is an initiative launched by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) aimed at accelerating the development, commercialization, and implementation of COVID-19 testing technologies that shorten viral detection cycles and increase access to reliable, accurate testing on a widespread scale. In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Jon Speer talks to Devon Campbell, founder of Prodct, who has been a major contributor in supporting the efforts being made by RADx teams. Listen as Jon and Devon share five actionable lessons learned from Devon’s involvement with RADx, each of which can be applied by medical device companies across the board.

What are the 2021 strategic priorities for FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) and what impact will these initiatives have on the medical device industry? In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Jon Speer talks to Mike Drues from Vascular Sciences about CDRH’s previous, current, and future strategic priorities, including those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

What’s the relationship between product feedback, complaints, and adverse events? In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Jon Speer talks to guest Isabella Schmitt, Director of Regulatory Affairs at Proxima Clinical Research (CRO). Jon and Isabella discuss some important processes and methods medical device companies should consider for soliciting, receiving, and handling feedback.

What impact has artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) had on the medical device industry thus far? Have the emergence of these new technologies created new, unanticipated regulatory and quality challenges for industry professionals? In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, host Jon Speer and guest Mike Drues from Vascular Sciences revisit the topic of AI/ML to identify notable changes and technological advancements that have emerged as a result of these technologies and how industry professionals are responding.

Are you prepared for the aftermath of the pandemic’s impact on the medical device industry? It may be time for device professionals to start bracing for a new normal. In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Jon Speer talks to Steven Niedelman and Eric Henry from King & Spalding LLC about post-pandemic readiness for the medical device industry and how companies can prepare for and embrace the new medical device landscape that’s expected to take shape from 2021 onward. Steven, a former FDA deputy associate commissioner and COO for the agency’s Office of Regulatory Affairs currently serves alongside Eric as the Quality Systems and Compliance lead consultants in the FDA and Life Sciences practice of their law firm. With more than 50 years of combined industry experience between Steven and Eric, the insights and knowledge of this episode’s guests, specifically as it relates to this topic is a MUST listen for any medical device professional. Some of the highlights of the show include: Steven and Eric discuss how COVID is pushing the FDA toward a voluntary pilot program for agency investigators to conduct virtual facility inspections. Steven describes the current state of FDA inspections as challenging to work remotely and conduct follow-ups when appropriate. The FDA has established a paradigm to continue on-site mission critical inspections. Eric expands on the logistical challenge for inspections by explaining that since the FDA has put a hiatus on its inspection scheme, many organizations are following the Medical Device Single Audit Program (MDSAP). The Medical Device Coordination Group’s (MDCG) 2020-4 Guidance lists four circumstances where organizations under MDSAP or EU notified bodies have remote audits—surveillance, re-certification, change notification, and termination. Impact of the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) program and the influx of requests on FDA. Some EUA submissions require pre-approval inspections. Before EUAs are revoked, build a remediated QMS, prepare for inspection, and decide whether to continue manufacturing a product after the pandemic. King & Spalding’s FDA and Life Sciences team offers a full-service approach, including cardiologists to help with health assessment risks, premarket and postmarket mergers and acquisitions, and warning letters. Pre-submission is an initial but formal way to build communication, collaboration with the FDA. A pre-submission can be an effective means for understanding regulatory requirements.

The end of 2020 is near, which will close out a year that’s been fraught with challenges and difficulties. However, 2021 will bring its own set of new challenges for those implementing the European Union Medical Device Regulation/In-Vitro Diagnostics Regulation (EU MDR/IVDR). What do device companies still need to do to be prepared for the transition? In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Jon Speer talks to Bassil Akra, CEO and Co-Owner of ‎QUNIQUE Group, a quality and regulatory consultancy. Bassil offers expert advice on how device companies need to prepare for these regulatory deadlines and transition to meeting the requirements of EU MDR/IVDR sooner rather than later. Some of the highlights of the show include: COVID-19 is an additional burden by impacting implementation, increasing requirements, and not being transparent about limited notified body capacity. EU MDR/IVDR Readiness: Under the new legislation, every device needs to receive re-certification by notified bodies to keep market access. EU MDR/IVDR Challenges: Additional guidance needed during transition to apply these regulations. Regulations put expectations that are not ready, such as EUDAMED. Increased requirements on clinical evidence via higher clinical and performance evaluation requirements. Continuous reporting increases expectations on resources for new and existing medical devices. EU MDR/IVDR Timeline: Number of notified bodies isn’t the most important part. How much capacity do those notified bodies have to address market needs? Tips for Medical Device and In-vitro Diagnostic Companies: Read the regulation(s). Understand implication(s) of regulation(s) on system(s). Identify/re-evaluate notified bodies that can address needs. Manage timeline/deadline for submission, implementation, certification.

Still seeking guidance to stay in the know when it comes to new and updated FDA requirements related to medical devices, especially during the ongoing pandemic? In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Jon Speer talks to David Pudwill, senior director of regulatory affairs at ConvaTec and industry thought leader who has been coined the name “Mr. Regulatory.” Listen to this episode as Mr. Regulatory shares his predictions on potential policy changes or updates we may begin to see from FDA, as influenced by the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) response to address the current health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) is one of the fastest growing segments of the medical device industry. How are regulators keeping pace with its growth? FDA has a set of specific requirements unique to SaMD that companies are expected to meet in order to market these devices in the United States. In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast, Jon Speer talks to Andrew Frink, regulatory affairs manager at Proxima Clinical Research (CRO) about the ways in which SaMD companies can improve final submission outcomes of these devices by leveraging Pre-submissions to FDA, which involves meeting the agency's applicable regulatory guidelines and pre-sub expectations.

There’s one niche market within the device industry that rarely gets the attention it deserves: products designed for military applications and use in other emergency settings. In this episode of the Global Medical Device Podcast Jon Speer and his cohost, colleague and medical device guru Wade Schroeder, talk to guests Monti Leija and Robert Futch from the Delta Development Team, manufacturers of ruggedized thermal systems who specialize in military applications. Listen to this episode to learn about the Delta Development Team’s journey designing their latest product the Autonomous Portable Refrigeration Unit (APRU) that provides a cooling and heating systems for extreme environments. Some of the highlights of the show include: APRU is medical refrigeration for medical professionals. It provides constant cooling of blood products, vaccines, virus samples, and temperature-controlled medications. APRU applications include military operations, disaster relief response, and emergency medical systems (EMS) because the device meets AABB guidelines and FDA regulations. The military provided end-user feedback on how it wants the APRU to function and perform. Therefore, the APRU is unique because it’s small and runs on a battery that can be charged. Power of Innovation: The biggest power consumers are refrigerators and air conditioners—both require refrigeration. Obstacles and Challenges: Every time somebody goes through the medical device journey it involves learning and becoming aware of regulatory guidelines. Recommendations: Find the right consultants, team members, and standards management tools. Wade Schroeder, Greenlight Medical Device Guru, has been a major asset to the Delta Development Team by providing regulatory guidance. Testing Methodologies: Motivation is to meet extreme environment requirements and standards. Some manufacturers choose to not meet some standards to make mobile medical devices that don’t work as well. APRU is the new standard. Root Cause and Right Configuration: Make minor adjustments to prototypes to reduce complexity, cost, and failure points via due diligence rather than rebuild.