Personal Experience Summary of
`David C. Yates
`7534 Galway Ct.
`West Chester, OH 45069
`513-218-1439 david@davidyates.us
`
`SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS;
`Electrical Engineer with over 30 years of broad experience in medical device research and
`development, product design and field engineering. Experience spans treatment and diagnostic
`devices, innovative technology integration with disposable and reusable laparoscopic products,
`electronic circuit and system design. Managed products from idea to design to implementation
`to customer installation, maintenance and satisfaction. Observed hundreds of human surgical
`procedures. Extensive experience in tissue lab evaluation of prototype medical devices.
`Interface successfully with wide range of people from vendors to physicians. Regulatory
`experience. Team-oriented approach. Broad background. Flexible self-starter. Creative problem
`solver and prolific inventor.
`
`EDUCATION:
`BSEE Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, IN 1984
`PATENTS AND RECOGNITIONS:
`• More than 60 issued US patents with 6 different companies. Collaborated with over 130
`named inventors. Inventions span innovative bipolar electrosurgery and energy applications,
`stapling and electromechanics, electro-optics, bariatrics and circuit design. Issued patents
`have been referenced by 11,000 other issued patents. More than 50 US patents pending.
`• Phillip B. Hoffman Award, the highest recognition for technical and scientific achievement
`within Johnson & Johnson for contributions to the Echelon Flex™ Powered Endocutter.
`•
`Inducted to the Hall of Distinction, Terre Haute South Vigo High School (alma mater).
`• Cincinnati R&D Award “Creating New Ideas That Lead To New Products”
`EXPERIENCE:
`ETHICON Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH, June '91 to Present
`Broad experience and roles within EES including: Therapeutic energy-based vessel sealing
`devices, motorized surgical stapling instruments, capital equipment, L&A, technology
`feasibility. Extensive customer interactions including market research and problem solving.
`Organizational development includes technical design review chairs and associate mentoring.
`Subject matter expert in energy-based tissue effects, electrosurgery, imaging, electro-
`mechanics, electro-optics, analog and power electronics.
`Major Projects and Roles:
`• Lead Electrical Engineer on multiple projects including electrosurgery generators, advanced
`bipolar electrosurgery instruments, electromechanical surgical instruments including
`powered stapling products, laser systems, a wide range of feasibility projects and algorithm
`development for tissue effects and instrument controls.
`• Key role in developing tissue electrodes and treatment algorithms for EnSeal SUPERJAW™
`• Expert technical role in acquisition and integration of SurgRx products into EES line.
`• Development of new products in EnSeal line: Universal Generator™ (advanced bipolar and
`monopolar).
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`David C. Yates
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`• Technology Leader for Endocutter Franchise. Worked across industries, EES and J&J
`corporate to bring new technologies, materials, mechanisms and components to improve the
`state of surgical stapling
`• Managed Global integration projects using Indian and Chinese engineering resources.
`• Key technical resource in L&A efforts for Given Imaging PillCam.
`• Lead engineer for Indigo Optima Laser Optic System for treatment of BPH
` Mix of electro-optics, analog, power and digital electronics
` Developed and implemented novel Alexandrite / DSP-based temperature measurement
` Post launch support and stabilization of laser system
`• Pegasys – Hardware support on a fully-featured electrosurgical generator system.
`• RF Endocutter – Integration of proprietary bipolar electrodes with laparoscopic stapling
`devices. Inventor of offset electrode technology, brought project out of R&D incubator to
`product development.
`• Tissue Characterization, human and animal – Design and construction of multiple laboratory
`grade electrosurgical generators and test fixtures to studying electrical, thermal and
`mechanical tissue effects to propel instrument, treatment algorithm and generator design.
`• Multiple L&A projects – Freedom to operate / due diligence projects evaluating outside
`companies and technologies. Evaluation of business, technology, capabilities, capacities,
`patent and trade secret positions in order to form recommendation for a buy/license/avoid
`position for Business Development.
`• Technology development for Gastric Band product line.
`CATHETER RESEARCH, INC., Indianapolis, IN, 1988 to 1991
`Start-up, venture-funded medical device company that provided an electronically steerable,
`NITINOL-driven catheter for peripheral vascular use.
`Manager, Electrical Engineering
`• Responsible for all aspects of electronics development and manufacturing
`• Risk-taker / key technical person in start-up
`GENERAL ELECTRIC MEDICAL SYSTEMS, Waukesha, WI, 1984 TO 1988
`General Electric Medical Systems is a world leader in medical imaging
`Product Development Engineer June ‘86 to April ‘88
`• Hardware leader for new Mammography Imaging System.
`• Power and Kernel engineering for Advantx™ X-Ray system, AMX-IV Mobile X-Ray, both
`in widespread use and still in production.
`Field Engineer June ‘84 to June ‘86
`•
` Hired into GE Field Engineering Program (FEP); installation, troubleshooting and system
`optimization on all GE imaging products. Reputation for handling difficult technical issues
`and volatile customer situations.
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`References available upon request
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