Pity the poor surgical instrument manufacturer. Over the last 20 years, it's become axiomatic that while other device segments seem hotbeds of technological innovation, surgical specialties are largely resistant to new ideas. Even cardiac surgeons are often viewed, as far less receptive to new technology than, say, interventional cardiologists or electrophysiologists.
Turning lemons into lemonade, surgical companies make a virtue of strong surgeon relationships, but largely because the development model in...