Growth in the market for surgical robots used in hip and knee orthopedic procedures was forecasted at $222 million in 2015 with anticipated growth to reach $5 billion by 20221 (Table 1). A substantial number of next- generation robotic devices, systems, and instruments are being introduced to manage surgery to the best possible outcomes.
Why This Is Important
Most leading firms have joined the surgical robotics race through organic development, acquisition, or partnership. Details and claims on the technological advancements involved with each of these companies are impressive. For example, Stryker (Mako) claims that its robotic-arm assisted technology—used in partial knee, total hip, and total knee procedures—has reduced overall readmission costs by 66 percent.2
J&J’s joint venture with Alphabet’s (Google) Verily—Verb Surgical—has developed Surgery 4.0—a grouping of robotics, connectivity, imaging, instrumentation, and analytics. In addition, J&J recently acquired French company Orthotaxy, a developer of robot-aided orthopedic surgery solutions.3
Zimmer Biomet is developing the Rosa system, acquired when it purchased the French company Medtech SA. Zimmer Biomet claimed the Rosa system would be launched in 2018, but no announcements have been made yet.
Navio is a Smith & Nephew robotics system that claims an exclusive handheld robotic surgical tool for knee replacement surgery, designed to precisely remove the bone identified by the surgeon in a patient-specific plan. The robotic handpiece can be used with Smith & Nephew knee implants designed to work with the Navio.
Medtronic has invested in Mazor Robotics, which develops robotics for use in spine procedures. The company’s Mazor X has been used in over 1,000 surgeries in more than 50 hospitals within the U.S.4
By Maria Shepherd | Orthopedic Design & Technology
Image Credit: Reuters
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