By: Joshua Finley

Medical innovation isn’t always driven by PhDs or biology experts. Sometimes, the biggest breakthroughs come from outsiders who spot problems others have overlooked. Take the early days of Silicon Valley’s medical device boom – while tech giants were busy building computers, a small group of engineers was quietly revolutionizing surgery. Armed with mechanical know-how and a desire to help patients, these pioneers developed tools doctors now use every day.

One of those engineers, John Ashley, arrived with nothing but an engineering degree and a newspaper job ad. Thirty-five years later, his insights show what it really takes to bring breakthrough medical devices from concept to operating room

Starting the Journey

“I actually kind of fell into this career in a non-planned way,” John says. Despite studying engineering, biology wasn’t even on his radar – his last biology class was in ninth grade. After moving to the Bay Area to help his ailing mother, a classified ad for Abbott Laboratories caught his eye.

The interview at Abbott changed everything. “I still recall going there and meeting with the HR person, then meeting with a senior engineer, a project manager, a junior engineer… being very excited about what they were doing,” John remembers. His enthusiasm was matched by the HR recruiter. “I immediately called that recruiter from a pay phone and said ‘Okay, this looks really exciting – what do I need to do?'”

Silicon Valley’s Medical Revolution

John’s timing couldn’t have been better. He joined Abbott’s Mountain View facility just as Silicon Valley was transforming from defense contractors to technology innovation. “Silicon Valley was becoming Silicon Valley at the time,” he notes. The shift brought seasoned engineers eager to make an impact on patient care. “We would be getting senior engineers and managers recruited into Abbott and they were all super excited to work in this industry,” John shares. “They were excited about the impact our products would have on patients.”

Building Successful Medical Solutions

After years of developing breakthrough devices, John points to four essential elements for success:

Getting the Right Champions

First, get medical leaders on board. “These are the luminaries in the field, the big wigs in whatever you’re doing, whether that’s in cardiology for the heart or orthopedic surgery for the spine,” John explains. Their support and guidance prove invaluable.

Understanding Market Dynamics

Second, understand commercialization. Having team members who grasp market dynamics and sales cycles makes the difference between a clever idea and a viable product.

Engineering Excellence and Innovation

Third, combine technical talent with innovation. Strong engineering capabilities must pair with creative problem-solving to develop truly novel solutions.

Addressing True Clinical Needs

Finally, focus on genuine unmet needs. “To really be a huge success, you’re doing something people haven’t done before that the patient, the surgeon, and the hospital all need,” John emphasizes. “That’s going to set you up for a much bigger success than ‘hey, this is just 10-15% better than the other guy.'”

Learning Through Observation

For John, some insights come from watching surgeries, even though engineers can’t directly assist. “Nobody in that room can do what that surgeon’s doing,” he notes. “But by watching what they’re doing and seeing the issues or challenges, you have the opportunity to help them down the road.” This observational approach led to breakthroughs like a minimally invasive disc treatment and an arterial cleaning system that “shaved the plaque inside the artery and put it into the catheter.” These innovations didn’t just improve existing treatments – they fundamentally changed how doctors could help patients.

“If you’ve got that kind of relationship with a surgeon where they know what you’re capable of… and you can have a conversation where the doctor explains ‘you see what I’m doing here, you see how inefficient this is’ – solving those problems is a real fun place as an engineer,” John says. Through careful observation, strong relationships with medical experts, and a focus on solving real problems, John continues to champion innovations that make a difference in patients’ lives.

To learn more about John Ashley and his approach, check out his LinkedIn profile.

Published by Mark V.