It’s been nearly two years since Tim Schmid took over as the EVP and worldwide chairman of Johnson & Johnson MedTech in October 2023.
Over that time, the company has continued to deliver advances in the medtech world, from surgical robotics to pulsed field ablation and across many disciplines in between. Schmid, meanwhile, has helped to spearhead those efforts to advance new technologies, including AI and robotics, to create smarter, more connected and more personalized care across diverse specialties—from interventional procedures to digital surgery and beyond.
Schmid will discuss the latest innovations at J&J MedTech and what’s next in a keynote event to open DeviceTalks West, Oct. 15–16, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. Register now at West.DeviceTalks.com. Here’s a 25% off discount code: MD25OFF
As Schmid continues to lead Johnson & Johnson MedTech’s innovation efforts, the company continues to churn out milestones.
Here are the top stories for the company so far this year:
5. Johnson & Johnson MedTech wins FDA nod for enhanced robotic-assisted bronchoscopy
In March, J&J announced that the FDA cleared its Monarch Quest technology for robotic-assisted bronchoscopy.
Monarch, the first robotic-assisted bronchoscopy system to market, offers minimally invasive access to and visualization of airways. It helps clinicians biopsy suspicious lung nodules. The platform helps deliver early, definitive diagnoses in lung cancer cases to get patients on the treatment pathway faster.
The latest advancement in Monarch navigation technology features AI-powered algorithms and a verified OEC open interface with GE HealthCare’s OEC 3D mobile CBCT imaging system. Monarch Quest’s AI-powered navigation leverages the full-stack Nvidia accelerated computing platform.
The Monarch Quest platform builds on the system’s stable reach and precision with a unique scope-in-sheath design and continuous vision, according to J&J MedTech. This software also integrates enhanced navigation with intraprocedural 3D imaging data, potentially improving accuracy in targeting lung nodules.
4. Johnson & Johnson MedTech launches AI fund for surgery with Nvidia, AWS
To help develop AI solutions that solve challenges before, during and after surgery, J&J in June launched its Polyphonic AI fund for Surgery.
A coalition of companies joined this effort, including Nvidia and Amazon Web Services (AWS). The initiative builds on Johnson & Johnson MedTech’s work to advance AI to redefine modern surgical practices and improve patient outcomes.
J&J says its Polyphonic AI Fund for Surgery aims to ensure the acceleration and responsible governance of data. Its focus centers around proposals that support AI model development, data engineering and management and AI governance.
Johnson & Johnson MedTech says the effort builds on its own expertise in surgery, Nvidia’s AI infrastructure and AWS’ cloud leadership. It also leverages a previous relationship as the company struck a deal with Nvidia around using AI in surgical robotics about a year ago.
3.Johnson & Johnson MedTech gets updated FDA nod for Varipulse PFA
In July, J&J added to its pulsed field ablation (PFA) offerings with FDA approval for an update to its Varipulse platform’s irrigation flow rate.
The company says the update to Varipulse reflects its commitment to advancing PFA innovation. Its update came on the back of real-world clinical practice.
Johnson & Johnson MedTech’s Varipulse platform treats AFib with a single device that combines PFA with the Carto 3 mapping system. Its variable-loop, multi-electrode Varipulse catheter uses laser-cut nitinol tubing for its loop shape. The platform also includes TruPulse generator and the Carto 3 3D cardiac mapping system.
The company joined Medtronic and Boston Scientific as companies with PFA technologies approved for treating AFib when it received an FDA nod in November 2024. Commercial activity hit a snag earlier this year when the company temporarily halted all U.S. cases using Varipulse in January. After reviewing four reported neurovascular events, the company resumed sales a month later.
2. Johnson & Johnson MedTech has a new electrophysiology and neurovascular group chair
Michael Bodner announced in March that he took on a new role as company group chair of Electrophysiology and Neurovascular. Not long after, J&J MedTech Neurovascular Worldwide President Mark Dickinson said he was leaving the company after a 26-year career and planned to move back to the U.K. “to be closer to family and explore new opportunities.” Christian Cuzick replaced Dickinson in that role.
Meanwhile, Bodner spent two years focused on the company’s Heart Recovery and Circulation Restoration units. He took over in that post in 2023 when Jasmina Brooks was named president of Biosense Webster — J&J’s Electrophysiology business. Before that, while leading Electrophysiology, Bodner also oversaw the integration of Abiomed after that 2022 acquisition.
“I am proudly re-joining the team where I began my J&J career – helping to advance our rapidly growing cardiovascular portfolio,” he wrote.
1. Johnson & Johnson MedTech completes first cases with Ottava surgical robot
The company reported a new milestone for its long-awaited Ottava robotic-assisted surgery platform in April when it revealed that investigators completed the first cases with the robot.
Ottava, a multi-specialty soft-tissue surgical robot, could support a range of procedures across patient anatomy and surgical specialties.
Johnson & Johnson first shared details on the Ottava surgical robotic platform about four-and-a-half years ago. However, after that day in November 2020, the company remained quiet on the topic for the most part. In October 2021, it pushed back the platform’s development timeline by about two years due to multiple factors.
In October 2024, the company announced that it submitted Ottava for IDE. Less than a month later, the FDA approved that IDE, enabling J&J to initiate this study of the surgical robot.
Upon completion of the study, J&J plans to submit the robot to the FDA for de novo authorization. It targets an indication covering multiple procedures in general surgery within the upper abdomen. Those include gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, small bowel resection and hiatal hernia repair.
Tim Schmid, EVP and Worldwide Chair of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, will take part in a keynote event to open DeviceTalks West, Oct. 15–16, 2025 in Santa Clara, California. Register now at West.DeviceTalks.com.
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