Robert Cohen

Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Global R&D - Joint Replacement, Stryker

Search every verified Robert Cohen interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. In a September 2021 TEDxNJIT talk, Robert Cohen discussed the convergence of robotics, 3D printing, computational power, and data science in medical device design, particularly for total joint replacement. He stated that these technologies "by themselves are nothing without people" and emphasized the role of creative individuals in unlocking their combined value. Cohen described a shift toward individualized medicine, noting that patients now have greater access to their own health data and expect more from surgeons, hospitals, and implant manufacturers. He said that innovation in orthopedic procedures, such as total knee replacement, has a direct link to clinical success and patient satisfaction. Cohen outlined how computational modeling allows engineers to design implants with complex geometries that can be produced via 3D printing. He explained that CT scans can create three-dimensional bone models, and that algorithm development can help determine optimal implant placement for each patient. He also mentioned the use of wearables to monitor postoperative mobility and the potential to analyze data from large patient populations to assess design performance. Cohen stated that robotics provides a level of accuracy and precision in the operating room that no other tool or human can achieve. He concluded that the combination of these technologies, driven by people in R&D organizations and startups, will continue to evolve and benefit patients.