Paul Davison, CEO & Co-Founder of Lamina Surgical, is on a mission to make open surgery safer, more data-driven, and more precise. Paul sat down with Melody Lam, Head of BioTalent West Coast, to share how Lamina Surgical is developing technology that provides surgeons with better information during procedures, reduces complications, and ultimately improves patient outcomes.
Lamina’s integrated surgical platform brings advanced instrumentation, imaging, and data capture to open surgery, an area that has historically lagged behind robotic and minimally invasive procedures. The system combines a low thermal spread surgical blade, advanced imaging that visualises blood flow and detects bacteria, and data capture software powered by machine learning to provide real-time insights. Paul explained, “One of our core goals is to reduce complications and improve outcomes by giving surgeons better information while they operate.” This approach is particularly critical in procedures like wound care debridement, where failure rates can reach 30% due to necrosis, poor blood flow, or residual bacteria. At the heart of the platform is the CoronaBlade, designed for precise cutting with minimal thermal injury, which Paul describes as a game-changer for tissue management in open surgery.
Paul’s journey into MedTech began during college when he took a technician role at Baxter Healthcare. Initially studying aerospace engineering, that hands-on experience inspired him to shift his focus toward manufacturing and medical devices. He progressed from technician to engineer at Baxter and later worked at Medtronic in quality engineering, manufacturing, and R&D roles. Paul also joined a Bay Area start-up that went public and was eventually acquired for nearly $2 billion. “What kept me in MedTech,” Paul shared, “was the ability to solve real clinical problems and create meaningful impact for patients, providers, and payers.” His story demonstrates how technical expertise, industry exposure, and mentorship can converge to fuel a career in healthcare innovation.
Mentorship and inspiration have been central to his growth. Early on, two managers at Baxter, Carolyn and Mike McMahon, helped shape his technical and professional development. Beyond direct mentors, innovators like Dean Kamen and Hira Thapliyal inspired him to think bigger, showing that engineers can invent entirely new healthcare solutions and scale them into successful companies.
Looking ahead, Paul sees artificial intelligence as a major opportunity in surgery. “AI can transform surgical workflows by turning intraoperative data into actionable insights,” he said. His vision isn’t to replace surgeons but to augment their expertise. From tissue and blood flow analysis to infection detection, automated documentation, and benchmarking against best practices, AI could help surgeons make faster, more informed decisions. Lamina’s platform is designed to integrate instrumentation, imaging, and data capture, laying the foundation for machine learning to improve outcomes without disrupting workflow.
Outside of work, Paul balances the intensity of MedTech innovation with outdoor pursuits. He enjoys surfing near San Francisco and Half Moon Bay, hiking and riding his electric mountain bike in the Oakland Hills and maintaining his mid-century modern home and car. “Being outdoors helps me reset and stay balanced while building and growing companies,” he said.
Through Lamina Surgical, Paul Davison is bringing precision, data, and insight to open surgery, empowering surgeons and improving patient outcomes while demonstrating how focused innovation in MedTech can make a real difference.