Smith & Nephew launched its Navio handheld, robotic-assisted surgery platform for total knee replacements. The system was previously available for partial knee replacement.
The Navio Surgical System is designed to help surgeons align implants, balance ligaments and remove bone in knee replacement procedures. Its handheld nature means it is easily moved between operating rooms, making orthopedic procedures more efficient for hospitals.
The platform’s planning software uses 3D surface capture to predict the laxity of the joint and create a customized solution for each patient. It does not require imaging, such as a CT scan, to be done before the operation, saving the patient time and sparing him or her from extra costs and radiation, the company said.
The device was first used in a surgical case of total knee replacement in July last year.
"The NAVIO system offers game changing improvements in precision and accuracy without sacrificing efficiency. It allows surgeons the control to create a patient-specific plan in the OR and the confidence to execute with robotic precision," says Dr Joseph Burkhardt from southwest Michigan. "For the Total Knee, it provides surgeons the ability to do more than they have ever been able to do with standard instruments, resulting in improved functional outcomes for the patient."
Smith & Nephew also markets OrthAlign’s implant alignment technology alongside its knee implants. In 2016, the pair inked a deal to market the latter’s Knee Align device in 21 countries. It uses accelerometers and other sensors to give surgeons real-time data on the alignment of the implant and works with all implant systems.