In this episode of AbbottTalks, we dive into the surprising origins of neuromodulation, kicking off with a shocker (literally)—treating headaches with electric fish.

Neuromodulation expert Yagna Pathak, PhD, Medical Science Manager of Medical Affairs at Abbott’s Neuromodulation business, explains how therapies like spinal cord and deep brain stimulation have evolved, detailing their impact on chronic pain and movement disorders. She outlines how Abbott is expanding neuromodulation applications through research in treatment-resistant depression and by integrating AI, wearables, and digital health tools.

Pathak also shares how connected care technologies—including the Neurosphere Virtual Clinic and the new Neurosphere Digital Health app—are improving patient outcomes. These platforms enhance access, enable timely interventions, and provide valuable educational resources for patients and providers.

Thank you to Cirtec Medical for sponsoring this episode of AbbottTalks. For more information on how Cirtec Medical works with medical device companies, visit https://www.cirtecmed.com/, and to learn more about Cirtec Medica’s Simplifi Platform, click: https://www.devicetalks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/simpifi-overview_litsheet.pdf

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AbbottTalks launches Season 3 with a fresh new video presence, a new co-host, and several new powerful conversations from Abbott's senior leaders.

Host Tom Salemi and new co-host Kayleen Brown welcome Vish Charan, divisional vice president of product development for Abbott's Cardiac Rhythm Management, to explore the engineering evolution of the pacemaker—and where it’s headed next.

Charan reflects on the remarkable transformation of pacemakers from large, wired implants to compact, leadless systems that dramatically improve patient outcomes. He details Abbott’s development of the AVEIR™ DR dual chamber leadless pacemaker system, the first of its kind to enable synchronized communication between the atrium and ventricle without leads, using Abbott’s proprietary i2i™ (implant-to-implant) technology.

The conversation dives deep into conduction system pacing, modular upgrades, and how Abbott is shaping the future of cardiac care for millions of patients. The episode closes with a powerful story of a former professional surfer whose life was transformed by Abbott’s innovation—an example of technology enabling patients to reclaim their lives.

Thank you to FPT Americas for sponsoring this episode of AbbottTalks. For more information on how FPT works with medical device companies, visit https://fptsoftware.com/

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In this episode of AbbottTalks, Kartik Sundareswaran, PhD, divisional VP, global clinical and regulatory affairs, Abbott Heart Failure, discusses Abbott’s pioneering work in heart failure care, focusing on technologies that improve outcomes and empower earlier interventions. Sundareswaran’s path to MedTech began with a shift from computer engineering to biomedical research, where his early work studying blood flow patterns in children with congenital heart disease sparked a passion for solving cardiovascular challenges. This passion led him to roles at Thoratec, St. Jude Medical, and ultimately Abbott, where he has spent years advancing heart failure care. The conversation highlights Abbott’s CardioMEMS™ Heart Failure System, a device enabling remote pulmonary artery pressure monitoring to reduce hospitalizations, and the HeartMate 3 LVAD, which provides life-extending support for patients with advanced heart failure. Sundareswaran also discusses the new TEAM-HF clinical trial, which combines CardioMEMS and HeartMate 3 to identify patients earlier and deliver timely, effective interventions.

This conversation comes to you courtesy of our episode sponsor, Tecan Group Ltd. To learn more about how Tecan works with medical device companies, visit: https://partnering.tecan.com/

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In this episode of AbbottTalks, Sandra Lesenfants, SVP of Abbott’s structural heart business, discusses the latest advancements in structural heart care, focusing on Abbott's transformative TriClip device for tricuspid regurgitation. Lesenfants highlights Abbott’s commitment to patient-centered innovation, emphasizing the importance of creating solutions that meet patients’ needs through safe and effective technologies. She also shares Abbott’s approach to expanding access to minimally invasive therapies, particularly in underserved populations worldwide, and the role of physician partnerships in advancing structural heart interventions. Lastly, Lesenfants underscores the company’s efforts to increase diversity in clinical trials, noting the importance of intentional inclusivity across gender and ethnicity to better serve diverse patient populations.

Thank you to Confluent Medical Technologies for sponsoring this episode of AbbottTalks. For more information on how Confluent Medical works with medical device companies, visit https://confluentmedical.com/.

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In this episode of AbbottTalks, Jennifer Jones-McMeans, PhD, Divisional VP of Global Clinical Affairs at Abbott and Brian DeRubertis, MD, Chief, Division of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center tackle the complexities of treating peripheral arterial disease (PAD) below the knee, particularly chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), a severe form of PAD that drastically impacts patients' quality of life and longevity. In the episode, the two discuss Abbott's Esprit BTK System, the first-and-only FDA-approved drug-eluting resorbable scaffold for infrapopliteal CLTI. Dr. Jones-McMeans explains how Esprit BTK works by releasing a drug that prevents artery re-narrowing, crucial for maintaining sustained blood flow and promoting wound healing. Later, they walk us through the pivotal LIFE-BTK trial, a significant milestone that demonstrated Esprit's efficacy and led to its FDA approval. They also highlight the importance of including diverse patient populations in clinical trials, particularly those disproportionately affected by PAD, such as African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and women. This inclusive approach not only ensures the treatment's effectiveness across varied demographics but also sets a precedent for future trials.

Thank you to Freudenberg Medical for sponsoring this episode of AbbottTalks. For more information on how Freudenberg Medical works with medical device companies, visit www.freudenbergmedical.com.

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In this episode of AbbottTalks, Matthew Fishler, PhD, Chief Engineer & Senior Director, Product Development, Cardiac Rhythm Management at Abbott Cardiovascular, shares his experience helping to develop the revolutionary dual-chamber leadless pacemaker system, taking us through the significant challenges and triumphs of creating a device that ensures precise coordination between the heart’s atrial and ventricular chambers without traditional leads. Fishler recounts the meticulous development process, from initial concept testing using rudimentary "submarines" in saline tanks to achieving FDA approval. He highlights the deliberate approach taken to ensure safety and effectiveness, resulting in a device that now benefits patients with more comprehensive cardiac support. Lastly, he explains the innovative i2i communication technology, which uses electrical impulses to enable seamless device interaction, a concept likened to a “moonshot” due to its unprecedented nature.

Thank you to ProMed for sponsoring this episode of AbbottTalks. To learn more about ProMed’s prototype services, visit: https://promedmolding.com/capabilities/prototyping/

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In this episode of AbbottTalks, Mahmood Kazemi, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Abbott’s Diabetes Care business overviews the profound advancements in diabetes management over the past decade and discusses the evolution of treatments and technological innovations that have revolutionized how individuals with diabetes approach their condition. Further, Dr. Kazemi underscores the benefits of advancements such as the GLP-1 receptor agonists and medications that control glucose levels and offer cardiovascular and renal protection. He then elaborates on how Abbott's FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems have significantly improved diabetes management. These systems provide real-time data, empowering individuals to customize their medication, diet, and activity levels with unprecedented precision. He also speaks to Abbott's ongoing and future work, including developing a state-of-the-art continuous glucose ketone monitoring (CGKM) sensor. This medical biowearable is designed to provide crucial early warning signs in Type 1 diabetes management, a significant step towards preventing dangerous complications and hospitalizations. Looking to the future, Kazemi anticipates a wider adoption of CGM across the diabetes community, including those with type 2 diabetes, and an increase in insurer coverage.

Thank you to BMP Medical for sponsoring this episode of AbbottTalks! For more information on how BMP Medical works with medical device companies, visit www.bmpmedical.com

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In the latest episode of AbbottTalks, Abbott Cardiovascular's leaders, Christopher Piorkowski, MD, DVP and Chief Medical Officer of Electrophysiology, and Dan Kaiser, Divisional VP Product Development, Electrophysiology, delve into the vast landscape of electrophysiology and the comprehensive approach Abbott is taking towards atrial fibrillation (AFib) treatment. The conversation highlights a potentially innovative pulsed field ablation (PFA) technology and Abbott's broader AFib portfolio, showcasing a commitment to revolutionizing cardiac arrhythmia management. While the Volt™ Pulsed Field Ablation System could represent a significant leap forward with its unique capabilities for creating precise and tissue-selective lesions, Piorkowski and Kaiser emphasize the diversity and depth of solutions Abbott is developing. This includes advancements in diagnostic tools, patient monitoring, and a range of therapeutic approaches designed to offer customized and effective treatment pathways for individuals with AFib. By focusing on a holistic view of patient care, they discuss how Abbott aims to improve clinical outcomes through technological innovation and enhance patients' quality of life by making treatments more accessible, reducing procedure times, and addressing the broad spectrum of needs within the electrophysiology community. With ongoing clinical trials and research, Abbott is positioned at the forefront of addressing the unmet needs in AFib management, underlining the company's commitment to continuous innovation and patient-centered care.

Thank you to Cretex Medical for sponsoring this episode of AbbottTalks. For more information on how Cretex Medical works with medical device companies, visit www.cretexmedical.com.

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