Impulse Dynamics® Appoints Richard J. Buchholz as New CFO
MARLTON, N.J., Jan. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Impulse Dynamics®, a leading global medical device company focused on enhancing the lives of individuals with heart failure (HF), has announced the appointment of Richard J. Buchholz as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective March 2, 2026. This strategic move comes as the company prepares for its next phase of growth.
Leadership Transition and Background
Jason Spees, Chief Executive Officer at Impulse Dynamics®, stated, “Rick is an accomplished executive with a proven track record in the medical device industry. I am thrilled to welcome Rick to our team at a time when we are poised for significant advancement in our mission to improve patients' lives.”
Before joining Impulse Dynamics®, Buchholz served as CFO for Inspire Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE: INSP). There, he played a crucial role in guiding the finance team through over a decade of growth, focusing on minimally invasive technologies for obstructive sleep apnea treatment. His tenure at Inspire began in June 2014, leading to a successful initial public offering (IPO) in May 2018 and achieving full-year profitability by 2024.
Significant Contributions and Financial Impact
During his time at Inspire, Buchholz contributed to raising a total of $425 million in public equity offerings and $80 million in private equity financing. Notably, Inspire’s revenue skyrocketed from $3.8 million in 2014 to over $910 million in 2025.
Future Outlook at Impulse Dynamics®
Buchholz expressed enthusiasm about his new role, stating, “Impulse Dynamics® has been creating a solid foundation built by innovative technology, robust clinical evidence, and a global commercial footprint. It is an honor to join this exciting and innovative company at a time when it is positioned for strong future growth potential.” He emphasized the need for a financial strategy that amplifies support for proprietary technology aimed at enhancing the quality of life for a large population of HF patients.
Previous Experience and Board Positions
Prior to his tenure at Inspire, Buchholz was the CFO of superDimension, Ltd. until its acquisition by Covidien plc in 2013. He currently serves on the Board of Directors and is the Audit Committee Chair of Shoulder Innovations, Inc. (NYSE: SI), which completed its IPO in July 2025.
Recent Funding and Clinical Trials
Buchholz’s appointment follows close on the heels of Impulse Dynamics®' recent $158 million financing round, aimed at advancing commercialization, product pipelines, and groundbreaking clinical trials such as the INTEGRA-D™ and AIM HIGHer trials. The INTEGRA-D™ trial is a multicenter study evaluating the investigational CCM-D® HF System, which has the potential to alleviate heart failure symptoms and provide life-saving protection through an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD).
Additionally, in October 2025, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a National Coverage Determination (NCD) for CCM® therapy, recognizing its evidence-based outcomes and reducing barriers to patient access through coverage and reimbursement.
Understanding the Optimizer® System and CCM® Therapy
The Optimizer® system delivers CCM® therapy, a proprietary technology designed to improve heart contraction and significantly enhance the quality of life for suitable HF patients. This therapy aims to increase the six-minute walk test scores, quality of life metrics, and functional status for NYHA Class III HF patients who remain symptomatic despite guideline-directed medical therapy.
Impulse Dynamics® has conducted numerous clinical studies, including randomized controlled trials, leading to over 100 publications in prominent medical journals.
About Impulse Dynamics®
Impulse Dynamics® is committed to advancing treatments for heart failure and enhancing patient care. The company pioneered the CCM® therapy which uses the Optimizer® platform to improve quality of life for HF patients. Currently, more than 12,000 patients have benefited from this therapy as part of clinical trials and real-world applications, demonstrating its safety and efficacy for individuals with severe symptoms and limited treatment options.