The Medtech Insider Podcast

"Stop Managing Pain. Start Fixing It."

In this episode of The MedTech Insider, host Parker Snedden sits down with Dr. Chris Kim, an experienced interventional pain physician with over 30 years in practice, to explore the evolution of pain management and the future of minimally invasive spine care. Dr. Kim shares how the field has shifted from simply managing pain with injections and medications to actually treating the root cause through minimally invasive procedures. He emphasizes that modern pain medicine is becoming increasingly evidence-based, requiring physicians to prioritize safety, reproducibility, and long-term outcomes when adopting new technologies.  A key theme throughout the conversation is patient education and engagement. Dr. Kim explains that successful outcomes start with helping patients truly understand their condition—reviewing imaging together, listening to their symptoms, and making them active participants in their care.  The discussion also highlights how to identify the right patients for interventions like Minuteman, with Dr. Kim pointing to real-world indicators such as gait changes, balance issues, and relief when leaning forward—classic signs of spinal stenosis.  Looking ahead, Dr. Kim predicts a future where the lines between surgeons and interventional pain physicians continue to blur, driven by advancements in AI, regenerative medicine, and increasingly minimally invasive techniques.  He closes with a powerful reminder for the next generation of physicians: 👉 “Treat the patient, not the films. Follow the evidence—and always choose what you’d trust for your own family.” This podcast has been financially supported by Spinal Simplicity. The content is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. The views, opinions and information provided by participants are their own and may not reflect those of Spinal Simplicity. Healthcare professionals must exercise independent medical judgment, and patients should always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding medical decisions. Finally, the healthcare industry is constantly changing and neither Spinal Simplicity nor the participants can guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information provided in this podcast.

Data Doesn’t Lie: "The Future of Spine Care”

In this episode of The MedTech Insider, host Parker Snedden sits down with Dr. Mita De, Director of Clinical Engagement at Spinal Simplicity, to explore the evolving role of data in spine care and interventional pain. Dr. De shares her unique journey—from mechanical engineering and oil & gas safety modeling to earning her PhD in biomechanics and working with large-scale orthopedic registries. She explains how her background shaped her perspective on the spine as a complex system, where every intervention creates downstream effects that must be understood and measured. The conversation dives into the growing importance of data collection in interventional pain, highlighting how registries can move the field forward—improving patient outcomes, supporting reimbursement, and ultimately protecting the specialty. Dr. De emphasizes that success in data adoption requires collaboration across physicians, industry, and societies, as well as making data collection seamless and meaningful for practices. She also introduces her current work building a registry at Spinal Simplicity, aiming to empower physicians not just to collect data, but to actively use it—turning insights into better care and stronger clinical positioning. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of minimally invasive spine care, the power of data, and how innovation is reshaping the interventional landscape. This podcast has been financially supported by Spinal Simplicity. The content is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. The views, opinions and information provided by participants are their own and may not reflect those of Spinal Simplicity. Healthcare professionals must exercise independent medical judgment, and patients should always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding medical decisions. Finally, the healthcare industry is constantly changing and neither Spinal Simplicity nor the participants can guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information provided in this podcast.

Fixing Pain, Not Masking It | Dr. Chris Bovinet

What does it really mean to treat pain—and how is that changing? In this episode of The MedTech Insider, Parker Snedden sits down with Dr. Chris Bovinet, interventional spine physician and President of the Georgia Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, to explore the evolution of pain management from symptom control to true functional restoration. Dr. Bovinet shares his journey from aspiring pediatrician to minimally invasive spine specialist, and how a desire for both patient impact and life balance shaped his career path. He dives into the rapid innovation happening in interventional spine—where procedures are becoming smaller, smarter, and more effective at actually fixing the root cause of pain. You’ll hear real patient stories that highlight the life-changing outcomes possible today, insights on where the space is headed, and why the future of spine care is all about restoring function—not just masking symptoms. He also breaks down: * The shift from “managing” pain to treating underlying pathology * Why minimally invasive procedures are redefining patient care * How to evaluate and adopt new technologies in your practice * The role of sales reps as true clinical partners in the OR * His “4 burners” framework for balancing career, family, health, and life Whether you’re a physician, industry professional, or just interested in where modern medicine is heading, this episode offers a powerful look at the future of spine care—and the people driving it forward. The content is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. The views, opinions and information provided by participants are their own and may not reflect those of Spinal Simplicity. Healthcare professionals must exercise independent medical judgment, and patients should always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding medical decisions. Finally, the healthcare industry is constantly changing and neither Spinal Simplicity nor the participants can guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information provided in this podcast.

The Evolution of SI Joint Treatment

In this episode of The MedTech Insider, we sit down with Mark Farmer, a leader in posterior SI joint stabilization and a longtime educator in the interventional spine space. Together, we explore the history of SI joint treatment, why the SI joint has often been overlooked as a source of back pain, and how evolving technologies are changing the way physicians diagnose and treat SI pathology. Mark also shares insights on treatment approaches, the importance of physician education, and where the future of SI joint care may be headed as the field of interventional spine continues to grow. The content is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. The views, opinions and information provided by participants are their own and may not reflect those of Spinal Simplicity. Healthcare professionals must exercise independent medical judgment, and patients should always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding medical decisions. Finally, the healthcare industry is constantly changing and neither Spinal Simplicity nor the participants can guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information provided in this podcast.

When the Doctor Has Back Pain

What happens when a spine physician becomes the patient? In this episode of The MedTech Insider, Dr. Gabriel Pagani-Estevez shares his personal back pain journey and how that experience changed the way he thinks about degeneration, instability, and patient care. From recognizing the subtle signs of chronic back pain to rethinking how instability fits into the treatment conversation, Dr. Pagani offers a perspective shaped by both clinical expertise and firsthand experience. This episode explores the evolution of interventional spine, the importance of listening closely to patients, and why keeping an open mind to new treatment approaches can make all the difference. This podcast has been financially supported by Spinal Simplicity. The content is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice. The views, opinions and information provided by participants are their own and may not reflect those of Spinal Simplicity. Healthcare professionals must exercise independent medical judgment, and patients should always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding medical decisions. Finally, the healthcare industry is constantly changing and neither Spinal Simplicity nor the participants can guarantee the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information provided in this podcast.