Equal parts doctor, innovator, and caregiver, John Martin, M.D., is a vascular surgeon bringing advances in academic medicine into lifesaving medical devices.
Currently a clinical assistant professor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Dr. Martin helped expand access to care for patients across the globe through his work with a handheld ultrasound device that changed the way patients are assessed for disease. As Chief Medical Officer of Butterfly Network, Dr. Martin played a central role in the development and clinical success of a point-of-care imaging system about the size of a stapler that brings medical imaging to the bedside regardless of care venue. Built on a proprietary ultrasound-on-chip, the single-probe device scans the entire body and, when paired with a smartphone, gives clinicians advanced tools to accelerate and improve decisions at the point of care, anywhere in the world. UT Southwestern is now using his point-of-care ultrasound and has integrated it into the medical school curriculum.
Now Dr. Martin (Medicine ‘84) is helping bring a second device to market as Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at CardioSense. The CardioTag, about the size of a car key fob, is placed on the sternum and captures three signals; ECG, PPG, and SCG, then runs them through a proprietary AI algorithm to deliver advanced cardiac parameters, including pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, a measurement previously available only through invasive catheterization. Designed to identify and help manage patients with heart failure, the device holds an FDA Breakthrough Device designation and will be available commercially later this month.