Unlocking the Future of Medical Devices and Defining the Path Forward with Christoph Schmotz, VP, R&D, PSS and GSS, Healthcare Systems and Technologies at Baxter [Speaker Spotlight]

Please introduce yourself and describe your role/responsibilities as the VP, R&D, PSS, and GSS, Healthcare Systems and Technologies at Baxter, and your journey into the medical device world.

Hello, I'm Christoph Schmotz, and I serve as the Vice President of Research and Development for Patient Support Systems (PSS) and Global Surgical Solutions (GSS) within the Healthcare Systems and Technologies segment at Baxter. My primary responsibility is to innovate, develop, and strengthen our portfolio of cutting-edge medical devices and connected solutions.

My journey into the medical device industry is quite unique; I began my career as a biomedical engineer and have since held various roles, including Marketing and Strategic Partnerships, before transitioning into R&D. This unconventional path has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of customer needs and market expectations, allowing me to identify innovative solutions that align with our R&D objectives.

Additionally, my diverse background has provided me with early insights into macro trends in healthcare, as well as a robust network of contacts across partner companies, hospitals, and universities, which is essential for accelerating innovation.

How do you balance the integration of AI, robotics, or other advanced technologies into product design while ensuring usability, accessibility, and regulatory compliance?

In my approach to integrating AI, robotics, and other advanced technologies into product design, I prioritize understanding the benefits these technologies can provide always first. It is crucial to start with the specific problem we aim to solve or the benefit we wish to deliver. By focusing on the end goal, we can select the right tools and technologies to address the identified needs effectively. This philosophy emphasizes that technology should solve existing needs rather than create new ones.

Usability, accessibility, and regulatory compliance are foundational elements that must be mastered to develop a strong and sustainable product portfolio. To navigate the complexities of these areas, it is vital to have a team of experts who specialize in each category. I believe that customer needs should always be at the forefront of product development. While there is often pressure to expedite market entry, incorporating customer insights throughout the development process ultimately leads to better usability, a more intuitive learning curve, and quicker adoption of our products.

What emerging technologies do you believe will most radically redefine medical device design and production over the next decade, and how is Baxter positioning itself to lead in that transformation?

I firmly believe that AI is the most promising technology poised to revolutionize medical device design and production in the coming decade. We are only beginning to scratch the surface of its potential to enhance and accelerate various processes. In addition to AI, I see data processing and 3D printing as two other transformative technologies.

At Baxter, we have established a dedicated team focused on data processing. This team leverages machine learning and AI to analyze data, enabling us to develop workflows and new disruptive solutions that deliver efficient and relevant benefits to caregivers, such as enhanced patient safety features. Furthermore, we are actively collaborating with leading external partners to explore the integration of 3D printing technology into our product portfolio, which will allow us to create customized solutions tailored to specific patient needs.

Additionally, we are committed to accelerating the use of AI in our product development processes, recognizing the tangible benefits it can bring to our go-to-market strategies.

"It is crucial to start with the specific problem we aim to solve or the benefit we wish to deliver. By focusing on the end goal, we can select the right tools and technologies to address the identified needs effectively. This philosophy emphasizes that technology should solve existing needs rather than create new ones."

What are the key challenges in harmonizing data across geographies and systems to ensure it’s truly actionable for R&D teams?

From an R&D perspective, the COVID-19 pandemic taught us valuable lessons about the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing. One key observation is that regular in-person meetings are essential for fostering relationships, expanding our knowledge base, and sharing insights. While remote meetings are useful for follow-ups, nothing can replace the effectiveness of face-to-face interactions in driving significant progress on our projects.

These in-person meetings not only strengthen our collaborative spirit but also help us harmonize global standards, ensuring that our R&D centers worldwide receive better input and guidance. By fostering a culture of collaboration, we can ensure that the data we collect is actionable and relevant for our teams.

How do you foster a culture of continuous innovation in a highly regulated and risk-averse industry like medical devices?

Fostering a culture of continuous innovation in the medical device industry, which is heavily influenced by global regulations, is indeed a challenge. To maintain a high level of innovation while keeping our teams creative, we must first understand user needs. This involves being close to our customers and patients, observing our products in real-life settings, and seizing every opportunity to gather feedback on the specific challenges they face daily.

Equally important is having the right processes, organizational structure, and tools in place to enable rapid idea development. By focusing on the strongest ideas and ensuring that our teams have the resources they need, we can cultivate an environment that encourages creativity and innovation while adhering to regulatory requirements.

How might patient expectations—around personalization, convenience, or transparency—disrupt how devices are designed and delivered?

At Baxter, we recognize that personalized patient care is becoming increasingly vital for achieving better health outcomes. As patient expectations evolve, we are committed to enhancing user interfaces and overall experiences to meet these demands. For instance, we are continuously focusing on developing better user interfaces that facilitate improved care delivery for patients.

By prioritizing personalization, convenience, and transparency in our device design and delivery processes, we can ensure that our solutions align with the expectations of both patients and healthcare providers, ultimately leading to better health outcomes.

One technology that I believe has significant potential is biometric authentication. The use of fingerprints, iris scans, voice recognition, or facial recognition could greatly enhance patient care by enabling personalized experiences based on individual patient profiles or digital twins.

As we move toward more personalized medicine, the integration of biometric authentication could become a game-changer in how we approach patient care and device interaction.

Which aspect of the European Medical Device Summit are you most looking forward to?

I am particularly excited about the opportunity to network and connect with passionate individuals, who are dedicated to innovating for a better world at the European Medical Device Summit.

These gatherings are invaluable for exchanging ideas and insights, and I always leave feeling energized and inspired. I look forward to engaging with fellow innovators and exploring new possibilities for advancing medical technology and improving patient care.