Exactech announced today that it partnered with Statera Medical to design the world’s first smart reverse shoulder implant.
The companies plan to co-develop the new implant over the next few years.
Samuel Bourdon, Statera’s CEO, said in a news release that the company developed its Goldilocks smart implant technology to give surgeons more precision. These smart implants, which provide more objective data, can help surgeons select the correct implant size and offset. Surgeons can also utilize the implants to provide the best balance of joint mobility and stability for all major joints.
The Statera technology, which has FDA breakthrough device designation, provides real-time data and adjustment capabilities. In the partnership, the companies plan to integrate Goldilocks into the Exactech Equinoxe shoulder system.
According to Chris Roche, Exactech SVP of extremities, surgeons currently have a subjective process to select reverse shoulder implant size and offset. This can lead to loose joints at risk for instability or tight joints that heighten the risks of fractures and implant loosening.
The partnership with Statera, Roche said, can help surgeons quantify soft tissue tension and adjust the ideal implant for the patient.
“Exactech has long been a leader in shoulder arthroplasty research as well as development of artificial intelligence-based clinical software. The application of Statera’s novel smart implant technology will provide valuable new data that will help surgeons and researchers better understand reverse shoulder biomechanics, ultimately leading to better treatment for patients,” Roche said.