Additive manufacturing is revolutionizing orthopedic manufacturing by enabling rapid scalability and cost efficiency. In this session, take a deep dive into the printing technologies and post-processing capabilities that can streamline production cycles and bring innovative products to market faster than ever before. This panel discussion brings together Ignite Orthopedics, Johnson & Johnson and Paragon Medical — the INHANCE Shoulder System inventor, acquirer and manufacturer — to discuss how they worked together to develop, manufacture, and get to market. Whether you’re producing complex implants or prototyping next-generation devices, this session will provide actionable insights to take your manufacturing strategy to the next level.
Russell Parrott is CTO of Ignite Orthopedics, a Warsaw, Indiana-based company that works in close collaboration with physician partners to develop solutions for the unmet clinical and economic needs of the orthopedic market. He has been in the orthopedic industry since 2003, with experience in R&D, including product development engineering, project management, process validation engineering and materials research engineering. Russ is dedicated to fostering collaboration and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to deliver transformative solutions in the medical device industry. At Ignite, Russ has played an instrumental role in driving innovation and regulatory success. Over the past six years, he has led the team in obtaining ten FDA 510(k) clearances, demonstrating a commitment to bringing safe and effective medical devices to market. Along with commercializing medical devices, Russ has a track record of innovation, including over 30 patents issued or currently in prosecution. He has a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Michigan Technological University and a Masters of Business Administration with a concentration in Entrepreneurship from Ball State University.
Drew Miller is a Project Lead in R&D Innovation and Partnerships at Johnson & Johnson MedTech Surgery, driving cross-sector collaborations that integrate medical devices with pharmaceutical innovations. Previously, he was a Project Manager and R&D Engineer in J&J MedTech Orthopaedics, specializing in Shoulder Joint Reconstruction. He played a key role in integrating and launching the INHANCETM Shoulder System, developed with Ignite Orthopedics. As a medtech leader, Drew was a team member launching GLOBAL ICONTM, DELTA XTENDTM Revolution, and GLOBAL UNITETM Short Stem. He has contributed to global product launches in the U.S., Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada amongst others. Additionally, Drew served as an R&D Liaison in Japan, working with key opinion leaders and regulatory teams to identify market opportunities. He holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Materials Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, where he is currently pursuing his MBA.
Liz Wiederhold is an experienced professional in the medical device industry and currently serves as the Senior Program Manager for Product Development at Paragon Medical. With a robust background spanning over a decade, Liz has made significant contributions to the field of orthopedic implants. She began her career as a development engineer in upper extremities, where she grew her technical skills for three years. She then transitioned to a Project Management role in joint reconstruction, focusing on knee R&D programs for seven years. During this time, she held responsibility for many critical programs, including the development and launch of several additively manufactured implants such as ATTUNE Revision Cones, ATTUNE Fixed Bearing Tibial Base with AFFIXIUM and ATTUNE Cementless Patella. Liz holds a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering from Clemson University and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP and Scrum Master (CSM). Her expertise includes leading complex implant and instrument development teams and management of the PMO for externalized Product Development at Paragon Medical.
Carolyn LaWell is the Chief Content Officer at ORTHOWORLD, where she leads the company’s editorial and education initiatives. Her responsibilities include working closely with the OMTEC Advisory Board to determine and craft the OMTEC education lineup. Before joining ORTHOWORLD in 2012, Ms. LaWell served as an editor and writer for multiple B2B magazines and newspapers. She received a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
