Accomplished MedTech Executive Appointed to Lead Activ Surgical, Advanced Surgical Robotics Company

BOSTON, March 1, 2019

Activ Surgical, a pioneering startup focused on delivering advanced imaging and diagnostic accuracy during robotic surgery, today announced the appointment of Todd Usen as its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Usen is an accomplished and seasoned leader with more than 25 years of medical device and healthcare experience. He has a proven track record of leading, developing and executing on commercialization strategies and driving market development initiatives.

“I’m incredibly thrilled to have Todd join and lead the Activ Surgical team. Todd’s outstanding experience and leadership in the endoscopic space provides a natural synergy to Activ’s disruptive vision of delivering enhanced surgical vision and intelligence,” commented Peter Kim, M.D., Co-founder and Chief Science Officer for Activ Surgical.

Usen comes to Activ Surgical after serving as President, Medical Systems Group for Olympus for the past 3 years. Prior to that Usen spent nearly eight years at Smith & Nephew in senior leadership roles, including President of the U.S. Orthopaedics group. Usen began his medtech career at Boston Scientific, holding multiple leadership positions within the Endoscopy division, and later was appointed to VP, Sales for their Neurovascular division.

“It’s a tremendous privilege to be selected to lead Activ Surgical as its first CEO,” commented Usen. “I look forward to working with our Board, Advisors and Activ Surgical team to realize the full potential of our unique and proprietary technology.”

“Todd’s leadership will be an asset to Activ Surgical,” said Jonathan Ellman, Activ Surgical Board member and CEO, GreatPoint Foundry. “His exceptional experience in the healthcare space will help us deliver the benefits of Activ Surgical’s pioneering technology to surgeons and their patients around the world.“

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About Activ Surgical

Founded in 2017, Activ Surgical is a new breed medical device start-up focused on improving patient outcomes and reducing costs to healthcare systems through the integration of advanced computer vision, artificial intelligence and robotics designed to seamlessly fit within operating room workflow while providing advanced imaging and diagnostic accuracy during surgery.

More information can be found at www.activsurgical.com.

For more information:
Michael Ruehlman
GM, Activ Surgical
617.333.8162 x200

2019 PANELS & EVENTS

Activ Surgical Makes Key Appointments to Board of Directors and Advisory Board

BOSTON,  July 9, 2019

Activ Surgical, a pioneering software-centric and hardware agnostic Digital Intelligence medical device company focused on improving surgical efficiency, accuracy, and patient outcomes and accessibility today announced that Emily Casey, Senior Associate at DNS Capital and Ashok Krishnamurthi, Managing Partner, GreatPoint Ventures (GPV) have been appointed new Board members.

In addition, Dr. Adrian Park, Chairman of the Department of Surgery at Anne Arundel Medical Center in Annapolis, MD and Professor of Surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Dr. Erik Wilson, Medical Director of Bariatric Surgery at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, Professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and the Director of the Minimally Invasive Surgeons of Texas (MIST), have joined the Company’s Advisory Board.

Board of Directors:

Emily Casey is a member of DNS Capital, which is the private investment office for Gigi Pritzker Pucker, Michael Pucker and their immediate family. DNS Capital takes a long-term and flexible approach to investing, and focuses on people, relationships and culture. Prior to joining DNS Capital, Emily was an investment banking analyst in the Global Industrials Group at Goldman Sachs. Emily received her B.B.A. in Finance with Highest Distinction from the University of Iowa.

Ashok Krishnamurthi is a serial entrepreneur and investor focused on enterprise IT, and the intersection of computer science and life sciences. Most recently he founded two medical related companies: CAPP Medical, a liquid biopsy company for cancer diagnosis that he sold to Roche Diagnostics, and CiberMed which focuses on biomarker discovery. Previously he founded Xsigo, a provider of advanced data center connectivity, which he sold to Oracle. Prior to Xsigo, Ashok was one of the early leaders of Juniper Networks where he helped develop many of the products that power today’s internet, and which was one of the largest venture investment returns of all time.

“I’m confident that Emily’s and Ashok’s unique experience and perspective will provide outstanding development and growth guidance as we prepare for our first commercial launch in the spring 2020,” commented Todd Usen, Chief Executive Officer, Activ Surgical.

Ms. Casey and Mr. Krishnamurthi replace Jonathan Ellman and Seth Teicher. “I’d like to extend my deep gratitude to Jonathan and Seth for the service to the Board. Their insights and expertise were incredibly valuable to me and the Activ Surgical team,” added Usen.

Advisory Board:

Dr. Adrian Park has made major advancements in the improvement of laparoscopic techniques for complex hernia repair, foregut and spleen surgery. He is a member of the American Surgical Association, and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada, American College of Surgeons and the College of Surgeons of Central Eastern and Southern Africa.

He is editor-in-chief of Surgical Innovation, and is the author of over 250 scholarly articles and book chapters. He is widely published in the areas of hernia, solid organ laparoscopy, foregut surgery, surgical education, the “Operating Room of the Future” and surgical ergonomics. Dr. Park holds 20 patents and has been instrumental in the development and application of new technologies in endoscopic surgery.

Dr. Erik Wilson is Co-Founder of the Texas Association for Bariatric Surgery and Houston Bariatric Society. He is a founder and the Past President of the Clinical Robotic Surgery Association. He is a leader in endoluminal and robotic General Surgery since 2002 with over 1000 cases performed robotically. Dr. Wilson specializes in weight loss surgery, reflux surgery, hernias and minimally invasive general surgery.

Dr. Park and Dr. Wilson join Lukas Biewald, Dr. Uma Duvvuri, John Galeotti, PhD., and Dr. Steven Schwaitzberg as members of the Activ Surgical Advisory Board.

“I’m pleased to welcome Dr. Park and Dr. Wilson as the newest members of our Advisory Board,” said Usen. “With the addition of Dr. Park and Dr. Wilson we now have six seasoned leaders who will have a meaningful impact on the future of Activ Surgical.”

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About Activ Surgical

Founded in 2017, Activ Surgical is a first-of-its kind digital surgery company focused on improving surgical efficiency, accuracy, patient outcomes and accessibility for both endoscopic and robotically-assisted procedures. Activ Surgical’s scalable and patent-protected surgical software platform technology is driven by computer vision, artificial intelligence, analytics and machine learning to enhance a surgeon’s intra-operative decision making, and reduce unintended and preventable surgical complications.

ActivSight (the company’s first planned commercial launch in fall 2020) works dynamically and seamlessly to “ACTIVATE” any installed base of surgical visualization and robotics system to provide real time intraoperative visual data and images not currently available to surgeons through existing technologies.

More information can be found at www.activsurgical.com.

For more information:
Claire Nolan
Operations Analyst, Activ Surgical
617.333.8162 x401

Senior/Staff Electrical Engineer

Strength in high speed and digital design with specific experience in video systems. This technical lead will have responsibility for design and development of electrical interfaces and systems of a robotic system. This career opportunity allows an engineer to get involved in some of the most complex software and hardware challenges and find innovative design solutions.

Ideal Qualifications:

• BSEE/MSEE
• Rapid ability to conceptualize and design with CAD system
• Experience with FPGA down-selection and development
• Experience in robotics preferred, not required
• Experience in complex system involving hardware and software required
• Ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment
• Designing for IEC 60601 preferred
• System architecture planning experience preferred
• Concept to prototype to commercial product experience strongly preferred

For more information:
Please call 617-333-8162 (Ext. 401)
or email: info@activsurgical.com

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Senior/Staff AI / Computer Vision Engineer

Demonstrated experience in medical device software development. This senior level role will be responsible for a cloud-based data and learning strategy and the integration into a novel surgical system.

Ideal Qualifications:

• BS / MS Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering with a strong focus on real-time image processing
• PhD preferred but not required
• Rapid ability to conceptualize and design complex software
• Experience in complex electromechanical systems
• Design for 62304 and the newest FDA guidances
• Ability to work in a fast-paced startup environment

For more information:
Please call 617-333-8162 (Ext. 401)
or email: info@activsurgical.com

Data Science Intern/Co-op

The Data Science Intern/Co-op will assist in the design, prototyping, implementation, testing, and validation of advanced analytical algorithms in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Technical assistance working within a multidisciplinary software product development team
• Develop, build, and validate scalable models and analytical solutions for existing datasets
• Determine metrics and relevant evaluation criteria for algorithms
• Influence data collection and organization standards
• Prepare reports/presentations to share results with the technical team

 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTs:

• Ability to organize and work with large datasets consisting of labeled and unlabeled data
• Experience applying neural networks to datasets and tuning hyperparameters preferred
• Some familiarity with image processing and computer vision preferred
• Experience with documentation of code and version control (git, svn, etc.)
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Undergraduate or graduate student in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics/Statistics, or related field
• Hands-on experience with machine learning and AI applications
• Software skills: Python, C++, and/or MATLAB

For more information:
Please call 617-333-8162 (Ext. 401)
or email: info@activsurgical.com

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Mechanical Engineer Intern/Co-op

The Mechanical Engineer Intern/Co-op will be assist in the, design, build, testing, and development of a next-generation surgical robotic platform utilizing advanced vision systems with A.I. and Machine learning technology in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Technical assistance working within a multidisciplinary robotic product development team.
• Undertakes and successfully completes simple or basic project/product development tasks to  include any of the following: Design, Prototype, Build, Test and Document
• May assist in inventing / creating concepts and designs/approaches.
• Designs, procures, and builds simple components tooling and fixtures.
• Designs and coordinates engineering tests and experiments.
• Prepares standard reports/documentation to communicate results to technical group.
• Completes basic tasks on engineering documentation.
• OnShape or SolidWorks knowledge is a Must

 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTs:

• • Hands-on fabrication experience
• ME interns with shop experience, mill, lathe, general shop tools, and prototyping simple fixtures  preferred
• Experience creating documentation and test specifications
• Software skills needed: OnShape or SolidWorks, and Excel.
• Interns must be motivated and eager to learn industry concepts, have excellent communications  skills, and be a team player.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Product development experience in a fast-paced, startup environment

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Undergraduate student in Mechanical Engineering or BioEngineering
• Some experience preferred in Electro-mechanical robotic development.
• Hands-on experience valued highly
• Software skills: OnShape or Solidworks, and Excel.

For more information:
Please call 617-333-8162 (Ext. 401)
or email: info@activsurgical.com

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Vision Intern/Co-op

The Vision Intern/Co-op will assist in the development of depth and 3D reconstruction algorithms in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work within a multidisciplinary software product development team
• Design, prototype, implement, and validate 3D vision algorithms
• Establish performance metrics for 3D hardware and software technologies
• Automate established hardware testing/calibration routines

 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTs:

• Strong background in mathematics and linear algebra
• Background in signal or image processing
• Self-starter, not afraid to ask for help
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred:

• Background in Computer Vision
• Experience with depth imaging (stereo imaging, light field imaging, structured light imaging, time of flight, etc.
• Hands-on experience with depth sensing hardware
• Experience with 3D scene reconstruction (ICP, SfM, etc.)
• Experience with 3D volume segmentation
• Familiarity with OpenCV, PCL, Open3D, or MATLAB Image Processing or Computer Vision toolboxes
• Comfortable working with MATLAB or Python

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Undergraduate or graduate student in a related field
• Hands-on experience valued highly

For more information:
Please call 617-333-8162 (Ext. 401)
or email: info@activsurgical.com