Implants get ‘smart’ in orthopedics

Zimmer Biomet this summer announced a so-called “smart” knee implant—a first of its kind to be cleared by the Food and Drug Administration.

A little over a month later in October, orthopedic surgeons in New York City completed the first total knee replacement with the device—a knee implant with an embedded sensor that counts the steps a patient takes, their walking speed and range of motion, so that the surgeon can monitor their progress from afar.

It hints at a future where a sensor implanted in the human body can detect—and maybe even predict—a patient not recovering as expected.

“Data is key,” said Dr. Peter Sculco, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip and knee replacements at the Hospital for Special Surgery, and one of the surgeons who performed the surgery. “Now we have the ability to analyze big data in a much more rapid fashion.”

Zimmer Biomet’s smart knee product is just the start, analysts say.

It’s the first smart implant to be cleared by the FDA for a joint replacement surgery—but other medical devicemakers also have their eyes on the market.

“We’re just in the early innings of where this technology can go,” said Ryan Zimmerman, an analyst at BTIG who covers medical technology.

Devicemakers manufacturing implants for joint replacements want to continue to innovate and build on their products, as hospitals are exploring new ways to move more care to the home. An investment in smart implants also takes a page from developers of other medical technologies—like cardiac pacemakers and diabetes management tools—that have put data into the hands of patients, analysts say.

But medical device companies will have to prove the value of the innovative devices—and make sure they’re not adding unnecessary cost—to make a convincing pitch to customers.

By Jessica Kim Cohen | Modern Healthcare

Image Credit: Modern Healthcare

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About Peter Coffaro 477 Articles
A growth-driven and strategic executive, Peter Coffaro commands more than 25 years of progressive management success within the medical device industry. Recognized by the World Journal of Orthopedics, Exponential Healthtech, and MedReps.com as one of the top medical sales influencers in the industry; he has 10 years of combined sales management experience and has held positions as a Director, General Manager, Distributor, and Vice President. Peter has worked for some of the top orthopedic companies in the world - Zimmer, DePuy, and Stryker. He is also the founder of OrthoFeed: a popular blog that covers digital orthopedic news and emerging medical technologies. Peter is a three-time Hall of Fame award winner at Johnson and Johnson and has an extensive background in organizational development, business development, sales management, digital marketing, and professional education. Peter holds a B.S. degree in Biology and Chemistry from Northern Illinois University.

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