Pain Unfiltered

In this episode we discussed the connection between physicians and the medtech industry in this ever evolving economy. Our guest, Brad Maruca, talked about his journey in the medical industry to strategy consulting with Deloitte. We discussed several topics including key trends in the interventional spine market, the most exciting technologies/interventions in the spine space, the importance of patient-centric designs, and much more. Host, Patrick Buchanan, MD: Dr. Buchanan is double board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. His goal is to help his patients get their life back by managing their pain and focus on things they love and enjoy. https://www.californiapaindoctors.com/patrick-buchanan-m-d/ https://www.instagram.com/patdbmd/?hl=en Host, Timothy Deer, MD: Dr. Deer is the president and CEO of the Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias. Dr. Deer has led a revolution in interventional spine and nerve care by teaching thousands of physicians an algorithmic approach to care including methods that are less invasive at a lower risk for complications. https://centerforpainrelief.com/about/tim-deer-md/ https://twitter.com/doctdeer?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/timdeer30a/?hl=en Guest, Brad Maruca: Brad is the managing director at Deloitte and former divisional Vice President at Abbott Neuromodulation. He specializes in MedTech, translating analytics into actionable plans for revenue growth. His approach integrates digitalization, behavioral science, and precision growth strategies to boost enterprise value. He is dedicated to improving global patient well-being by advising industry leaders on how to transform their business models to maximize market access. https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-maruca/ About ASPN: ASPN was created to bring the top minds in the fields of pain and neuroscience together. ASPN has a mission to improve education, highlight scientific curiosity, establish best practice, and elevate each other in a quest to improve the field of pain and neuroscience. All initiatives of ASPN are dedicated to improving patient outcomes, education, research, and innovation. ASPN's website and social links: https://aspnpain.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCixMNhEtOiRm1aQmDWtzxmg https://www.instagram.com/aspn_painneuro/ https://www.facebook.com/PainNeuro https://www.linkedin.com/in/aspn/ https://twitter.com/aspn_painneuro Our sponsors: Saluda Medical: Saluda is the first to directly measure the spinal cord's physiologic response to stimulation. A 10+ year journey since the first ECAP measurement to transform the science and practice of SCS using Evoked Compound Action Potentials (ECAPs) to pioneer smart neuromodulation therapy. The Evoke® System listens and responds to each patient's neural signature. https://www.saludamedical.com/ Spinal Simplicity: Spinal Simplicity is a medical device company dedicated to creating simple, innovative procedure solutions for our physician partners to help improve their patient's pain and quality of life. A life where pain no longer defines the day. That's the future we fight for. Chronic pain steals independence, freedom, and joy. At Spinal Simplicity, we believe patients deserve more—lasting relief, restored mobility, and renewed hope. https://spinalsimplicity.com/

In this episode we discussed the latest updates on the coding and reimbursement for SIJ Fusion. Our guest, Dr. Douglas Beall, talked about his experience with the different approaches of SIJ fusion therapies. We also discussed where the SIJ fusion space may be headed in the future. Host, Patrick Buchanan, MD: Dr. Buchanan is double board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. His goal is to help his patients get their life back by managing their pain and focus on things they love and enjoy. https://www.californiapaindoctors.com/patrick-buchanan-m-d/ https://www.instagram.com/patdbmd/?hl=en Host, Timothy Deer, MD: Dr. Deer is the president and CEO of the Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias. Dr. Deer has led a revolution in interventional spine and nerve care by teaching thousands of physicians an algorithmic approach to care including methods that are less invasive at a lower risk for complications. https://centerforpainrelief.com/about/tim-deer-md/ https://twitter.com/doctdeer?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/timdeer30a/?hl=en Guest, Douglas Beall, MD: Dr. Beall attended medical school at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC, and completed his residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Following residency, he was Chief of Interventional Services at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. He then completed a fellowship in Musculoskeletal Radiology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he was trained in interventional spine techniques before returning to the US Air Force as Division Chief of Musculoskeletal Radiology. Following his service as a Major in the US Air Force Dr. Beall was chief of Musculoskeletal Radiology and Fellowship Director at the University of Oklahoma prior to entering private practice as the Chief of Services. http://drdouglasbeall.com/ About ASPN: ASPN was created to bring the top minds in the fields of pain and neuroscience together. ASPN has a mission to improve education, highlight scientific curiosity, establish best practice, and elevate each other in a quest to improve the field of pain and neuroscience. All initiatives of ASPN are dedicated to improving patient outcomes, education, research, and innovation. ASPN's website and social links: https://aspnpain.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCixMNhEtOiRm1aQmDWtzxmg https://www.instagram.com/aspn_painneuro/ https://www.facebook.com/PainNeuro https://www.linkedin.com/in/aspn/ https://twitter.com/aspn_painneuro Our sponsors: Saluda Medical: Saluda is the first to directly measure the spinal cord's physiologic response to stimulation. A 10+ year journey since the first ECAP measurement to transform the science and practice of SCS using Evoked Compound Action Potentials (ECAPs) to pioneer smart neuromodulation therapy. The Evoke® System listens and responds to each patient's neural signature. https://www.saludamedical.com/

In this episode we discussed the differences between physiological closed loop spinal cord stimulation and traditional stimulation. Our guests, Dr. Jason Pope and Dr. Johnathan Goree talked about the data behind Saluda's closed loop stimulation and how it differs with Medtronic's therapy. They also discussed knowing and controlling the dose of stimulation and what they think the future is for this therapy. Full Disclosure: Dr. Pope and Dr. Goree are consultants of Saluda Medical. Host, Patrick Buchanan, MD: Dr. Buchanan is double board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. His goal is to help his patients get their life back by managing their pain and focus on things they love and enjoy. https://www.californiapaindoctors.com/patrick-buchanan-m-d/ https://www.instagram.com/patdbmd/?hl=en Host, Timothy Deer, MD: Dr. Deer is the president and CEO of the Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias. Dr. Deer has led a revolution in interventional spine and nerve care by teaching thousands of physicians an algorithmic approach to care including methods that are less invasive at a lower risk for complications. https://centerforpainrelief.com/about/tim-deer-md/ https://twitter.com/doctdeer?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/timdeer30a/?hl=en Guest, Jason Pope, MD: With over a decade of experience, and regarded as one of the most influential key opinion leaders in the field of pain medicine and neuromodulation, Dr. Jason Pope in Santa Rosa is triple boarded in Pain Medicine, has published over 80 peer reviewed journals, spoken at numerous national and international conferences, and has consulted with many start-ups and established companies. https://evolverestorativecenter.care/ Guest, Jonathan Goree, MD: Board certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine, Dr. Johnathan Goree is a proud alumnus of Catholic High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 2014, Dr. Goree returned home to Little Rock, Arkansas to join the faculty at UAMS where he serves as the Director of Interventional Pain Management Services and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology. He primarily focuses on the treatment of chronic pain conditions using minimally invasive procedures, spinal cord stimulation, and vertebral augmentation. https://medicine.uams.edu/pain/meet-our-team/johnathan-h-goree-m-d/ About ASPN: ASPN was created to bring the top minds in the fields of pain and neuroscience together. ASPN has a mission to improve education, highlight scientific curiosity, establish best practice, and elevate each other in a quest to improve the field of pain and neuroscience. All initiatives of ASPN are dedicated to improving patient outcomes, education, research, and innovation. ASPN's website and social links: https://aspnpain.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCixMNhEtOiRm1aQmDWtzxmg https://www.instagram.com/aspn_painneuro/ https://www.facebook.com/PainNeuro https://www.linkedin.com/in/aspn/ https://twitter.com/aspn_painneuro Our sponsors: Mainstay Medical: The Only FDA Approved Restorative Therapy for Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain caused by Multifidus Dysfunction. Restore Control, Restore Function, Restore Stability, ReActiv8 Life. https://mainstaymedical.com/ Saluda Medical: Saluda is the first to directly measure the spinal cord's physiologic response to stimulation. A 10+ year journey since the first ECAP measurement to transform the science and practice of SCS using Evoked Compound Action Potentials (ECAPs) to pioneer smart neuromodulation therapy. The Evoke® System listens and responds to each patient's neural signature. https://www.saludamedical.com/ Nalu Medical: Nalu Offers a Long-Term Solution For Pain. More than just new technology; it's a whole new world of opportunities. https://nalumed.com/ Medtronic: Medtronic leads global healthcare technology, boldly attacking the most challenging problems. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 90,000+ people, and our technologies transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. https://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/pain.html Spinal Simplicity: Spinal Simplicity is a Healthcare Technology company dedicated to creating simple, innovative procedure solutions for our physician partners to help improve their patient's pain and quality of life. We believe strongly in AO orthopedic principles of Early & Safe Mobilization, Bone Decortication, Joint Stability and Anatomy Restoration. Our brands include Minuteman, Liberty-SI, Patriot-SI and Hero-SI. https://spinalsimplicity.com/

In this episode we discussed the current state of healthcare fraud. Our guest, Ronald Chapman, discussed federal cases involving pain management providers. He provided the DO's and DONT's for healthcare providers to be compliant within the current healthcare landscape. Host, Patrick Buchanan, MD: Dr. Buchanan is double board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. His goal is to help his patients get their life back by managing their pain and focus on things they love and enjoy. https://www.californiapaindoctors.com/patrick-buchanan-m-d/ https://www.instagram.com/patdbmd/?hl=en Host, Timothy Deer, MD: Dr. Deer is the president and CEO of the Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias. Dr. Deer has led a revolution in interventional spine and nerve care by teaching thousands of physicians an algorithmic approach to care including methods that are less invasive at a lower risk for complications. https://centerforpainrelief.com/about/tim-deer-md/ https://twitter.com/doctdeer?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/timdeer30a/?hl=en Guest, Ronald Chapman: Mr. Chapman is a healthcare defense attorney and President of CCG Healthcare. He has secured multiple acquittals for pain management providers accused of healthcare fraud. https://bio.site/ronald_chapman www.ccghealthcare.com About ASPN: ASPN was created to bring the top minds in the fields of pain and neuroscience together. ASPN has a mission to improve education, highlight scientific curiosity, establish best practice, and elevate each other in a quest to improve the field of pain and neuroscience. All initiatives of ASPN are dedicated to improving patient outcomes, education, research, and innovation. ASPN's website and social links: https://aspnpain.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCixMNhEtOiRm1aQmDWtzxmg https://www.instagram.com/aspn_painneuro/ https://www.facebook.com/PainNeuro https://www.linkedin.com/in/aspn/ https://twitter.com/aspn_painneuro Our sponsors: Mainstay Medical: The Only FDA Approved Restorative Therapy for Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain caused by Multifidus Dysfunction. Restore Control, Restore Function, Restore Stability, ReActiv8 Life. https://mainstaymedical.com/ Saluda Medical: Saluda is the first to directly measure the spinal cord's physiologic response to stimulation. A 10+ year journey since the first ECAP measurement to transform the science and practice of SCS using Evoked Compound Action Potentials (ECAPs) to pioneer smart neuromodulation therapy. The Evoke® System listens and responds to each patient's neural signature. https://www.saludamedical.com/ Nalu Medical: Nalu Offers a Long-Term Solution For Pain. More than just new technology; it's a whole new world of opportunities. https://nalumed.com/ Medtronic: Medtronic leads global healthcare technology, boldly attacking the most challenging problems. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 90,000+ people, and our technologies transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. https://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/pain.html Spinal Simplicity: Spinal Simplicity is a Healthcare Technology company dedicated to creating simple, innovative procedure solutions for our physician partners to help improve their patient's pain and quality of life. We believe strongly in AO orthopedic principles of Early & Safe Mobilization, Bone Decortication, Joint Stability and Anatomy Restoration. Our brands include Minuteman, Liberty-SI, Patriot-SI and Hero-SI. https://spinalsimplicity.com/

In this episode we discussed the importance of closed loop spinal cord stimulation therapy with Dr. Krishnan Chakravarthy and Dr. Nomen Azeem. We reviewed the data behind Medtronic's Inceptiv closed loop therapy as well as current studies that are ongoing. We discussed what makes this closed loop therapy unique and what the future holds. Host, Patrick Buchanan, MD: Dr. Buchanan is double board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. His goal is to help his patients get their life back by managing their pain and focus on things they love and enjoy. https://www.californiapaindoctors.com/patrick-buchanan-m-d/ https://www.instagram.com/patdbmd/?hl=en Host, Timothy Deer, MD: Dr. Deer is the president and CEO of the Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias. Dr. Deer has led a revolution in interventional spine and nerve care by teaching thousands of physicians an algorithmic approach to care including methods that are less invasive at a lower risk for complications. https://centerforpainrelief.com/about/tim-deer-md/ https://twitter.com/doctdeer?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/timdeer30a/?hl=en Guest, Krishnan Chakravarthy MD: Dr. Chakravarthy is an anesthesiologist who specializes in multi-modal pain management. He currently serves on the editorial board of several national and international peer-reviewed journals, and committees on organizations such as the International Neuromodulation Society, and American Society of Pain and Neuroscience. An entrepreneur, Dr. Chakravarthy is a founder of several biotechnology startup companies focusing on applications of nanotechnology in the pain space, and novel small molecule therapeutic development to advance pain care. https://solarisresearchinstitute.squarespace.com/ Guest, Dr. Nomen Azeem MD: Dr. Nomen Azeem, an internationally recognized Interventional Pain Management physician, Founder and CEO of Florida Spine and Pain Specialists, brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to the field of pain management, with a commitment to advancing patient care and research initiatives. https://www.flsps.com/ About ASPN: ASPN was created to bring the top minds in the fields of pain and neuroscience together. ASPN has a mission to improve education, highlight scientific curiosity, establish best practice, and elevate each other in a quest to improve the field of pain and neuroscience. All initiatives of ASPN are dedicated to improving patient outcomes, education, research, and innovation. ASPN's website and social links: https://aspnpain.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCixMNhEtOiRm1aQmDWtzxmg https://www.instagram.com/aspn_painneuro/ https://www.facebook.com/PainNeuro https://www.linkedin.com/in/aspn/ https://twitter.com/aspn_painneuro Our sponsors: Mainstay Medical: The Only FDA Approved Restorative Therapy for Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain caused by Multifidus Dysfunction. Restore Control, Restore Function, Restore Stability, ReActiv8 Life. https://mainstaymedical.com/ Saluda Medical: Saluda is the first to directly measure the spinal cord's physiologic response to stimulation. A 10+ year journey since the first ECAP measurement to transform the science and practice of SCS using Evoked Compound Action Potentials (ECAPs) to pioneer smart neuromodulation therapy. The Evoke® System listens and responds to each patient's neural signature. https://www.saludamedical.com/ Nalu Medical: Nalu Offers a Long-Term Solution For Pain. More than just new technology; it's a whole new world of opportunities. https://nalumed.com/ Medtronic: Medtronic leads global healthcare technology, boldly attacking the most challenging problems. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 90,000+ people, and our technologies transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. https://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/pain.html Spinal Simplicity: Spinal Simplicity is a Healthcare Technology company dedicated to creating simple, innovative procedure solutions for our physician partners to help improve their patient's pain and quality of life. We believe strongly in AO orthopedic principles of Early & Safe Mobilization, Bone Decortication, Joint Stability and Anatomy Restoration. Our brands include Minuteman, Liberty-SI, Patriot-SI and Hero-SI. https://spinalsimplicity.com/

In this episode we took a deeper dive into 2 of ASPN's stars, Dr. Jordan Tate and Dr. Alexa Moreira. We discussed the current state of women in medicine and talked about the female mentorship program. We also discussed the poster to podium program and some tips to become an attractive fellowship candidate. We had our first APSN member, Dr. Tolga Suvar, ask a few questions to the guests. Host, Patrick Buchanan, MD: Dr. Buchanan is double board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. His goal is to help his patients get their life back by managing their pain and focus on things they love and enjoy. https://www.californiapaindoctors.com/patrick-buchanan-m-d/ https://www.instagram.com/patdbmd/?hl=en Host, Timothy Deer, MD: Dr. Deer is the president and CEO of the Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias. Dr. Deer has led a revolution in interventional spine and nerve care by teaching thousands of physicians an algorithmic approach to care including methods that are less invasive at a lower risk for complications. https://centerforpainrelief.com/about/tim-deer-md/ https://twitter.com/doctdeer?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/timdeer30a/?hl=en Guest, Dr. Jordan Tate MD: Dr. Tate is a double board-certified pain medicine and physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist at Southern Pain and Spine in Jasper, Georgia. She is the Chair of the Diversity/Inclusion Committee and editor of the ASPN newsletter. https://www.southernpainandspine.com/md/jordan-tate-md-mph https://www.instagram.com/drjordantate/ Guest, Dr. Alexa Moreira MD: Dr. Moreira is PMR resident at University of Miami and part of the poster to podium program at ASPN. She will be a pain medicine fellow at Rush University this year. https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-moreira/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-moreira/ Guest member, Dr. Tolga Suvar MD: Dr. Suvar is an assistant professor of Anesthesia and Pain Medicine at Rush University. https://suvarmd.com/ About ASPN: ASPN was created to bring the top minds in the fields of pain and neuroscience together. ASPN has a mission to improve education, highlight scientific curiosity, establish best practice, and elevate each other in a quest to improve the field of pain and neuroscience. All initiatives of ASPN are dedicated to improving patient outcomes, education, research, and innovation. ASPN's website and social links: https://aspnpain.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCixMNhEtOiRm1aQmDWtzxmg https://www.instagram.com/aspn_painneuro/ https://www.facebook.com/PainNeuro https://www.linkedin.com/in/aspn/ https://twitter.com/aspn_painneuro Our sponsors: Mainstay Medical: The Only FDA Approved Restorative Therapy for Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain caused by Multifidus Dysfunction. Restore Control, Restore Function, Restore Stability, ReActiv8 Life. https://mainstaymedical.com/ Saluda Medical: Saluda is the first to directly measure the spinal cord's physiologic response to stimulation. A 10+ year journey since the first ECAP measurement to transform the science and practice of SCS using Evoked Compound Action Potentials (ECAPs) to pioneer smart neuromodulation therapy. The Evoke® System listens and responds to each patient's neural signature. https://www.saludamedical.com/ Nalu Medical: Nalu Offers a Long-Term Solution For Pain. More than just new technology; it's a whole new world of opportunities. https://nalumed.com/

In this episode we take a deeper dive into the Boston Scientific acquisition of Relievent Medsytems. Dr. Ray Baker, CMO of Relievent Medsystems, discussed how he developed the Intracept procedure for commercialization. Jim Cassidy, President of Boston Scientific Neuromodulation talked about what he looks for when acquiring a therapy. Ray and Jim both gave great incites into the future of interventional pain and what needs to be done to ensure patient access. Host, Patrick Buchanan, MD: Dr. Buchanan is double board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. His goal is to help his patients get their life back by managing their pain and focus on things they love and enjoy. https://www.californiapaindoctors.com/patrick-buchanan-m-d/ https://www.instagram.com/patdbmd/?hl=en Host, Timothy Deer, MD: Dr. Deer is the president and CEO of the Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias. Dr. Deer has led a revolution in interventional spine and nerve care by teaching thousands of physicians an algorithmic approach to care including methods that are less invasive at a lower risk for complications. https://centerforpainrelief.com/about/tim-deer-md/ https://twitter.com/doctdeer?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/timdeer30a/?hl=en Guest, Dr. Ray Baker, MD: Dr. Baker joined Relievant in July 2017 and serves as Chief Medical Officer. Prior to joining Relievant, Dr. Baker was VP and Executive Medical Director of EvergreenHealth Medical Group, EvergreenHealth, Kirkland, Washington. During his 15 years at EvergreenHealth, Dr. Baker held positions on the board of the Evergreen Surgical Center, Chaired the EvergreenHealth Medical Group Leadership Council and was Medical Director of their Spine and Musculoskeletal Programs. Guest, Jim Cassidy: Jim Cassidy is the president of the neuromodulation division at Boston Scientific. In this role, Jim leads the global neuromodulation business that helps people with chronic pain and neurological conditions through innovative therapies, including spinal cord stimulation, Vertiflex™ procedure, radiofrequency ablation systems, and deep brain stimulation. About ASPN: ASPN was created to bring the top minds in the fields of pain and neuroscience together. ASPN has a mission to improve education, highlight scientific curiosity, establish best practice, and elevate each other in a quest to improve the field of pain and neuroscience. All initiatives of ASPN are dedicated to improving patient outcomes, education, research, and innovation. ASPN's website and social links: https://aspnpain.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCixMNhEtOiRm1aQmDWtzxmg https://www.instagram.com/aspn_painneuro/ https://www.facebook.com/PainNeuro https://www.linkedin.com/in/aspn/ https://twitter.com/aspn_painneuro Our sponsors: Mainstay Medical: The Only FDA Approved Restorative Therapy for Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain caused by Multifidus Dysfunction. Restore Control, Restore Function, Restore Stability, ReActiv8 Life. https://mainstaymedical.com/