Hardware Podcasts

Michael Brooks | How BayCath Medical Is Rethinking Catheter Development

Being an Engineer · 21 Aug 2026 · 48m · Episode 35

What this episode covers

Michael Brooks, founder and CEO of BayCath Medical, explains how his contract manufacturing company helps startups and R&D teams accelerate catheter development by prioritizing collaboration and rapid iteration over rigid, high-volume processes. He details the manual nature of catheter manufacturing, the importance of planning for scale from the first prototype, and strategies for managing material selection and design transfers. Brooks also discusses the challenges of lead times, the 'cat and mouse' game of device reprocessing, and his approach to maintaining calm under pressure by drawing on his background as an EMT.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
BayCath Medical, Pipeline Design & Engineering, Intuitive, J and J, Boston Scientific, Medtronic
Materials
Pebax, Newsoft, Nylons
Also
PDX 2026, Champer

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 47m

    #461: Why Manufacturing is Part of Product Development with Mike Dolphin

    Mike Dolphin, CEO of GuideStar Medical Devices, explains why manufacturing process development must be integrated into product design rather than treated as a post-development step. He details the engineering of a closed-loop epidural safety device, emphasizing early decisions on injection molding and radiation sterilization to ensure scalability. Dolphin highlights the financial and timeline risks of using contract manufacturers for iterative development, advocating for in-house manufacturing to reduce costs and accelerate FDA 510(k) clearance.

    Mechanical engineeringDesign for manufacturing & NPI
    10 chapters

  • Global Medical Device Podcast · 36m

    Project Management for Product Development of Medical Devices

    Devon Campbell, founder of Prodct, and Christie Johnson, founder of Kasota Engineering, discuss project management strategies for medical device development, arguing against rigid waterfall methodologies and complex Gantt charts. They advocate for a cyclical, agile-inspired approach that trusts engineering teams, uses coarse-grained high-level planning, and prioritizes early prototyping and testing to manage risk. The conversation highlights the importance of clear communication, information flow (via Design Structure Matrix), and integrating contract manufacturing partners early in the process to avoid bottlenecks and ensure successful product delivery.

    Validation & product-market fitDesign for manufacturing & NPI
    6 chapters

  • Let's Combinate · 58m

    005 - “Compassionate Product Development” with Cameron Jones

    Cameron Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of Avasys Medical, discusses his journey from academic research at Vanderbilt, the University of Kentucky, and Johns Hopkins to founding a medical device company. He details the process of identifying unmet clinical needs through direct observation of clinicians, highlighting a specific case where a tourniquet design required 14 prototypes to meet size and safety constraints. Jones also explains his work on catheter interfaces to reduce infection risks and his philosophy on managing conflicts of interest while moonlighting between startups and large manufacturers.

    Validation & product-market fitStarting a product company
    10 chapters

  • Making It · 1h 05m

    Episode 274: Fold time back on itself

    Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss overcoming the intimidation of learning new skills by focusing on small, manageable steps. Bob details his process for scaling the production of 55 Woody Trailers by refining the CNC design and splitting the order with other fabricators to manage time and cost. David shares his approach to building Bluetooth speakers by prioritizing fun over acoustic science, while Jimmy reflects on his R2-D2 display box and the importance of having a project buffer.

    Scaling productionPrototyping & iteration
    9 chapters

  • Manufacturing Happy Hour · 1h 07m

    180: Made in Missouri, Live from the 2024 Midwest Manufacturers Trade Show & Conference

    Pavel Bosovik, founder and CEO of 27North, explains how he industrialized the process of making expedition vans by documenting detailed standard operating procedures, such as counting specific screws, to enable scaling. Josh Shelton, owner of Etched Nameplate Company, discusses how being fired served as the springboard for his business and details his strategy of acquiring companies annually since 2020 to grow the brand. Kevin Thompson, a leadership coach at Cambridge Air Solutions, describes how the company uses daily morning meetings and core values to build a culture that enriches lives, moving beyond just manufacturing HVAC equipment.

    Design for manufacturing & NPILeadership, teams & culture
    7 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Being an Engineer. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.