Two men, Nick A. (left) and Nigel (right), sit at a white table, engaging in a lively and friendly conversation. Both wear checkered shirts and lavalier microphones, suggesting a filmed discussion or interview. Nick holds tissue samples in one hand and gestures animatedly, while Nigel smiles in response. Each has a white mug labeled with their name and a purple star logo. The background is a bright white, creating a clean and professional studio setting.

Bio Break

Quick Insights into MedTech and Biotech Innovation

Welcome to Bio Break, a video series brought to you by StarFish Medical. Each episode delivers bite-sized, bio-focused insights on medical device product development and biotechnology in five minutes or less. Designed for busy innovators, Bio Break is your quick opportunity to learn something new, get inspired, and continue making an impact—all while taking a short pause in your day.

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Watch our latest Bio Break episodes

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Fluorescent Soil Load Test

Nick Allan and Nigel Syrotuck explore a creative approach to visualizing cleaning validation using a fluorescent soil load.

Anaerobic Sample Collection Explained

Nick Allan joins Nigel Syrotuck to explore how anaerobic sample collection works and why it’s vital for studying bacteria that cannot survive in oxygen.

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Past Episodes

  • Grocery store aisle with red arrows highlighting items that reveal hidden health data, illustrating how consumer shopping behavior can signal medical information.

    Consumer Health Prediction in Everyday Shopping

    Consumer health prediction shapes more of daily life than most people realize. In this episode of Bio Break, Nick and Nigel explore how retail data can reveal health information without a person ever speaking to a clinician.

  • Nick showing a biofilm conference book while Nigel listens, with overlay text reading FDA Asked For It and a red arrow pointing to the book.

    Biofilm Referencing Lesson

    When reviewing evidence for a medical device, a single citation can shape an entire submission. In this Bio Break episode, Nick shares a biofilm referencing lesson that has stayed with him since the early 2000s.

  • A fluorescent protein assay sample glows under UV light as part of medical device cleaning validation testing.

    Fluorescent Protein Assay Testing in Medical Devices

    Nick Allan and Nigel Syrotuck explain how a fluorescent protein assay helps engineers measure contamination and cleaning performance in medical devices.

  • Gloved hand holds fluorescent liquid over a UV-lit surface with green glow and red arrow pointing to the light, captioned ‘See the Clean?

    Fluorescent Soil Load Test

    Nick Allan and Nigel Syrotuck explore a creative approach to visualizing cleaning validation using a fluorescent soil load.

  • Gloved hands insert a swab into a sealed vial beside a crossed-out O₂ symbol with the text “No Oxygen Allowed?” illustrating anaerobic sample collection.

    Anaerobic Sample Collection Explained

    Nick Allan joins Nigel Syrotuck to explore how anaerobic sample collection works and why it’s vital for studying bacteria that cannot survive in oxygen.

  • Thumbnail showing “First to Invent” with yellow exclamation marks transitioning via red arrow to “First to File” with a folder of patent documents, illustrating the shift in patent rules discussed in the Bio Break episode.

    Patent Documentation Habits

    Nick Allan and Nigel Syrotuck dive into the evolution of patent documentation habits in engineering and medical device development.

  • Thumbnail showing a medical sampling pipette with a red arrow pointing to a microscope under the text “Repurposed for Research?” illustrating medical device adaptation in scientific studies.

    Device Repurposing in Research

    Nick Allan and Nigel Syrotuck discuss device repurposing in research, sharing a story that blends microbiology, animal science, and engineering ingenuity.

  • 96-well lab plates with a red arrow pointing to a green recycling symbol, representing lab plastic recycling for sustainability in medtech.

    Lab Plastic Recycling in Medtech

    Nick Allan and Nigel Syrotuck explore the massive volume of single-use plastic in labs and discuss a new company working to close the loop through a circular economy approach.

  • Nick Allan and Nigel Syrotuck smiling during a Bio Break Book Club episode. Nigel holds the book Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker.

    Bio Break Book Club: Sleep Science and Change Management

    Nick Allan and Nigel Syrotuck share what they have been reading lately. From exploring the science of sleep to diving into change management, their picks show how books can spark insight both inside and outside the lab.