Enabling technologies are redefining the competitive landscape in orthopedic surgery but also place high demands on the engineers who must create components with tight tolerances needed for pinpoint accuracy. In this session, learn how OEM and supplier teams collaborate early in the design process to complete prototyping cycles and comprehensive testing of planned parts, and work together to find an effective balance between manufacturability and speed-to-market.
The expert panelists discuss how process validation has become a major bottleneck in development and what can be done to effectively manage the process. Whether you’re building robotic-assisted, navigation or implant positioning systems, you’ll hear what it takes to build instrumentation for enabling technologies of the future.
Key Takeaways
1. Understand the complexities of designing and manufacturing enabling technology components.
2. Learn strategies to balance manufacturability with speed-to-market.
3. Hear how leaders in the space have overcome development and manufacturing bottlenecks.
Bobby Nandi is Vice President of Operations at OrthAlign. He has over 20 years of experience in the medical device industry ranging from early stage, mid-size and large multi-national organizations. Prior to joining OrthAlign, Bobby was an Operations leader at Terumo Corporation’s neurovascular division, Microvention Inc., where he was responsible for all their Class III PMA devices used for brain aneurysm therapies. Bobby has a proven track record of not just establishing but scaling and leading an operations group, which he accomplished at two privately held, venture-backed start-ups. Prior to that experience, Bobby held engineering roles at Medtronic and Stryker.
Richard Lordo is Director of Robotics Hardware at Smith+Nephew. He has more than 30 years of medical device product development experience, including leading mechanical engineering and hardware testing for orthopedic surgical robotic systems and enabling technologies. Richard successfully transitioned and integrated new businesses into corporate infrastructure in support of two acquisitions. His responsibilities have included managing globally distributed teams including R&D, operations, technical writers, and quality and regulatory activities. Richard earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Penn State.
Reto Strickler is Vice President of Operations Orthopaedics and Site Leader at Elos Medtech Höllstein, a key competence center for orthopedic power tools within Elos Medtech. With nearly 30 years of hands‑on production experience, Reto brings a manufacturing‑first perspective to discussions that are often dominated by design or engineering alone. He specializes in translating product concepts into scalable, manufacturable solutions, with a strong focus on cost efficiency, and industrial scalability. Reto trained as a precision mechanic and began his career on the shop floor. He has worked at the Höllstein site for over 23 years, progressing from production roles into production management, and has led the entire operation since 2013.
