Kingsley R Chin MD MBA
My journey into medical device innovation began in 2000 while I was a student and resident in orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School. I developed my first idea with the help of an industrial designer, who introduced me to SolidWorks software, allowing me to visualize my ideas in 3D. Excited by the potential to innovate in spine surgery, I discussed my concept with a medical device sales representative, who introduced me to his sister, a patent lawyer with a Ph.D. from MIT.
I was excited when I received my first three patents—so much so that I paid for expensive frames to hang them on my wall. They represented my first steps as an inventor. But my patent lawyer gave me a crucial lesson:
"Patents to hang on my wall are not enough; they must protect real products that identify and solve problems to improve patient outcomes."
That realization changed everything. We shifted focus to filing patents that would protect actual products, not just ideas.
This shift led to the birth of the MANTIS (Minimal Access Nontraumatic Insertion System) percutaneous pedicle screw. We filed two patents for MANTIS, and almost immediately, Zimmer and Stryker—two of the largest orthopedic medical device companies—expressed interest in acquiring the technology.
We ultimately sold MANTIS to Stryker before we even generated revenues, which confirmed a key insight for me:
Develop innovation, file strong patents, collaborate with surgeons and engineers, and companies will want to acquire the technology.
This experience shaped my approach to medical device innovation and ultimately led to the founding of SpineFrontier, where I served as CEO, and later KIC Ventures, where I continue to drive innovation and commercialization of Less Exposure Spine Surgery (LESS) technologies.
How Surgeons and Engineers Work Together to Innovate
Medical device innovation is not a solo effort—it requires a structured collaboration between surgeons, engineers, and patent experts to develop clinically effective and commercially viable technologies.
1. Surgeons Identify Clinical Problems
Surgeons bring firsthand experience from the operating room, allowing them to identify:
✔ Unmet needs—problems that current devices do not adequately solve.
✔ Workflow inefficiencies—areas where surgery could be made faster or safer.
✔ Patient outcomes—gaps in treatment that could be improved with better devices.
For example, when I developed the MANTIS percutaneous pedicle screw, my goal was to minimize tissue damage during screw placement while maintaining strong fixation.
2. Engineers Develop Prototypes and Test Designs
Once a clinical problem is identified, the engineering team translates these insights into technical solutions, including:
✔ Prototypes—physical or digital models of potential devices.
✔ Material selection—ensuring durability, flexibility, and biocompatibility.
✔ Biomechanical testing—evaluating strength, stability, and usability.
During this phase, surgeons provide real-time feedback by handling prototypes and simulating surgical procedures to refine the design before testing in real cases.
3. Surgeons Provide Feedback During Development
Surgeons are directly involved in:
✔ Testing prototypes in surgical simulations.
✔ Providing iterative feedback to refine design improvements.
✔ Ensuring the device is surgically practical and meets clinical needs.
This real-time interaction between surgeons and engineers ensures that devices are optimized before regulatory submission.
4. Patents Are Filed for Innovations
Once a functional prototype is validated, the legal team—including my patent lawyer with a Ph.D. from MIT—works with engineers and surgeons to determine:
✔ What aspects of the device are patentable (e.g., novel shapes, materials, techniques).
✔ Who should be named on the patent (typically, key contributors from surgery and engineering).
✔ How to structure the patent to protect against competitors.
At this stage, the product is legally protected and ready for FDA submission and regulatory approval.
5. FDA Approval and Regulatory Processes
Before a device can be introduced to the market, it must go through:
✔ Clinical trials and case studies to validate safety and efficacy.
✔ FDA approval in the United States or CE Mark certification in Europe.
✔ Manufacturing and compliance audits to meet medical industry standards.
Once approved, the device moves to full commercialization.
6. Products Are Commercialized and Used in Surgery
With regulatory approval secured, the device is:
✔ Manufactured at scale and distributed to hospitals, clinics, and ASCs.
✔ Adopted by surgeons who integrate it into their procedures.
✔ Trained through workshops and proctoring sessions to ensure best practices.
At this point, real-world usage begins, generating post-market data and case studies.
7. Surgeons Provide Case Studies, Post-Market Feedback & Research Papers Are Published
Surgeons play a critical role even after commercialization by:
✔ Conducting case studies to assess real-world performance.
✔ Providing post-market feedback to drive future product iterations.
✔ Publishing research papers based on surgical experiences and clinical data.
One example of a published research paper (PubMed) with collaborating surgeons is:
📄 "Stability of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in the setting of retained facets and posterior fixation using transfacet or standard pedicle screws."
Chin KR, Reis MT, Reyes PM, Newcomb AG, Neagoe A, Gabriel JP, Sung RD, Crawford NR.
Published in Spine J. 2015 May 1;15(5):1077-82. (PMID: 24210638)
This research reflects how post-market clinical experience leads to scientific validation and ongoing improvements in spine surgery.
This final step ensures that the innovation cycle remains active, with continuous product improvements and validation through scientific research.
Why Surgeons Want to Be Consultants
Surgeons don’t just innovate—they also consult for medical device companies. Consulting is a long-standing practice in orthopedics and spine surgery, not just for financial reasons, but for professional and scientific advancement.
1. Advancing Their Careers Through Research and Publications
Many surgeons want to be recognized as key opinion leaders (KOLs) in their field. Consulting allows them to:
✔ Publish case studies in peer-reviewed journals.
✔ Present findings at medical conferences like NASS and AAOS.
✔ Train other surgeons in innovative surgical techniques.
A study published in Orthopedics (PubMed) highlights that consulting surgeons play a key role in medical device development by providing clinical insights and publishing research based on their experiences.
📄 "Industry Consulting Payments to Orthopedic Surgeons Are Associated With Increased Publications."
Alexander M Lieber, Gregory J Kirchner, Athan G Zavras, Yehuda E Kerbel, Amrit S Khalsa
2. Contributing to the Future of Surgery
Surgeons take pride in shaping the next generation of medical devices. They want to see their ideas come to life and help improve spine surgery for their peers and patients.
Consulting allows them to:
✔ Directly influence product development.
✔ Ensure new devices fit real surgical workflows.
✔ Create a legacy of innovation in their field.
3. Learning About the Business and Commercialization of Medicine
Consulting gives surgeons exposure to the business side of healthcare, including:
✔ Understanding medical device development cycles.
✔ Learning about regulatory approval processes (FDA, CE Mark).
✔ Gaining insights into product commercialization and sales.
Many consulting surgeons eventually become entrepreneurs or investors in medical technology companies because they develop an interest in both innovation and business.
4. Financial Compensation for Their Expertise
While many surgeons consult primarily for professional growth, their time and expertise hold value. At SpineFrontier and KIC Ventures, we compensate surgeons not only for:
✔ Research and development.
✔ Teaching and training.
✔ Scientific contributions.
But also for product feedback after case studies of their surgeries. This ensures that:
✅ Surgeons' insights lead to real product improvements.
✅ Devices are refined based on real surgical experiences.
✅ Companies receive continuous clinical validation to enhance safety and efficacy.
However, our consulting agreements remain ethical and transparent, ensuring that compensation is tied to meaningful contributions to innovation and research.
Final Thoughts: A Model for Ethical and Effective Innovation
My experience in working with surgeons and engineers to innovate has shown that the best medical devices are created through real-world collaboration. Consulting is not just about compensation—it is about professional development, research, and improving surgical care.
By structuring ethical consulting agreements and fostering true surgeon-led innovation, we can:
✔ Ensure that new medical devices solve real surgical problems.
✔ Create a transparent system for surgeons to contribute to research.
✔ Advance the field of spine surgery through scientific validation.
🔹 Surgeons identify the problems.
🔹 Engineers translate those problems into solutions.
🔹 Patent lawyers protect the innovations.
🔹 Consulting surgeons validate and teach those innovations to the medical community.
This surgeon-driven model of innovation is what has allowed SpineFrontier, KIC Ventures, and our LESS (Less Exposure Spine Surgery) technologies to lead the industry in real, impactful advancements.
Warm regards,
Kingsley R Chin, MD, MBA
CEO KIC Ventures
KingsleyChin@KICVentures.com | 617-697-5442
6550 NE Federal HWY Suite 510 Fort Lauderdale FL USA 33308
About The Author
Kingsley R. Chin, MD, MBA, is a board-certified Professor of Orthopedic Spine Surgery and an honors graduate of Harvard Medical School and the Harvard Combined Orthopedic Residency Program. He completed his spine fellowship with Dr. Henry H. Bohlman and served as Chief of Spine Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. In addition to his clinical expertise, Dr. Chin completed the executive leadership program at Harvard Business School and is the CEO of KIC Ventures, where he leads innovations in spine surgery technology and investment.
For more information, please visit www.KICVentures.com or contact Investor@KICVentures.com
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
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