Smith & Nephew touts 1st-use of Navio robotic-assisted knee system

A New York hospital is the 1st to use Smith & Nephew (NYSE:SNN) new robotics-assisted total knee replacement procedure following its recent 510(k) clearance from the FDA.

The surgery took place at the John T. Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson, N.Y., involving Smith & Nephew’s handheld robotics-assisted Navio platform, and its Journey II BCS knee implant.

Navio provides surgeons a robotics-assisted hand piece, navigation and cut guides specific to Navio that are designed to enable better outcomes. Additionally, the system relies on software that incorporates 3D surface capture to predict elements such as joint laxity and help make precise implant positioning possible. Patients don’t need a preoperative CT scan, either, unlike other robotics-assisted platforms, Smith & Nephew said.

Mike Donoghue, senior vice president of global marketing for orthopedics at Smith & Nephew, said that the procedure and technology will help the U.S. healthcare save money longer-term. Money-saving procedures and devices have been a much bigger sell in recent years in terms of health care coverage and insurance reimbursements.

“This cost-effective procedure positions us particularly well in the U.S. market, where bundled payments and ambulatory surgery centers have shifted focus to the economic feasibility and overall value of new technology for joint replacement procedures,” Donoghue said in prepared remarks.

Smith & Nephew acquired Minnesota-based Blue Belt Technologies – Navio’s original maker – in January for $275 million. Navio is designed to work with 8 different knee systems.

At the time of its purchase, Smith & Nephew noted that Blue Belt is its “most successful” implant sales partner, and that it would continue to support implants from other manufacturers with the Blue Belt system.

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