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Viral Thakkar, COO of LungPacer Medical, joins Rodney on the MedTech 101 Podcast to discuss how cutting-edge innovation is reshaping ventilator technology. They unpack the limitations of traditional mechanical ventilation and its often-overlooked effects on the diaphragm. Viral shares insights into AeroPace, LungPacer’s breakthrough system that uses phrenic nerve stimulation to help patients breathe and recover more effectively.

The discussion dives into the real-world challenges of clinical adoption, the significance of FDA Breakthrough Designation, and what the future holds for ventilation care. Tune in to learn how this technology could redefine outcomes for ICU patients by reducing complications and accelerating recovery.

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00:00 The Impact of Mechanical Ventilation on Diaphragm Health
02:02 From R&D to COO: Viral Thakkar's Medtech Journey
03:20 A Journey from Personal Tragedy to Medical Device Innovation
05:56 Ventilator-Induced Diaphragm Dysfunction and Its Consequences
11:38 Innovative Diaphragm Stimulation Technology for Improved Ventilation
15:45 Breakthrough Medical Device Designation and Market Challenges
19:27 Innovative Ventilation Technology Aims to Improve ICU Patient Outcomes

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Ben Tasker, is an AI expert who has transitioned from academia to the utilities sector, focusing on upskilling and reskilling the workforce for the AI era. He discusses his experience developing AI systems for student success prediction in education and cancer risk identification in healthcare.

The core themes are:

The importance of responsible and ethical AI practices as the technology rapidly advances
The challenges of getting buy-in from end-users (students, patients, employees) and integrating AI into existing workflows
The potential of AI to enable more personalized services, especially in healthcare and mental health
The need to balance the benefits of AI-powered personalization with concerns around privacy, transparency, and the risk of reinforcing biases

Overall, Ben emphasizes the critical role of human-centered design and stakeholder engagement in ensuring AI is implemented effectively and ethically across different industries.

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Dr Kevin Tracey is a renowned neurosurgeon and the president of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. With over three decades of experience focused on understanding and controlling inflammation. Dr Tracey has pioneered research that led to advancements in bioelectronic medicine. His work explores the potential of the vagus nerve to regulate inflammation, paving the way for innovative treatments for chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Kevin is also a co-founder of SetPoint Medical, which recently received FDA approval for an implant device aimed at treating inflammation.

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00:00 Bioelectronic Devices Revolutionize Inflammation Treatment
04:28 Exploring Bioelectronic Medicine and Innovative Medical Research
09:09 Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Breakthrough in Inflammation Treatment
13:07 Implant Revolutionizes Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment
15:56 Vagus Nerve Stimulation and Its Role in Inflammation Control
20:25 SetPoint Medical's FDA Approval and Future Distribution Challenges
24:08 The Promise of Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Rheumatoid Arthritis
27:29 Understanding Present Data to Predict Future Technological Advancements
29:48 Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Future Inflammation Treatment
32:16 Podcast Interview with Author Kevin Tracey

Book: The Great Nerve: The New Science of the Vagus Nerve and How to Harness Its Healing Reflexes

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