The North American Spine Society meeting, held in Boston from Oct. 26 to Oct. 29, highlighted various companies' surgical robots and navigation technology. These four companies showed off their technology, which is gaining traction in the industry, according to MASS DEVICE.
Mazor Robotics. Based in Caesarea, Israel, Mazor focuses about 95 percent of its product development in spine, according to Barclays. This year, the company highlighted its next-generation Mazor X system, which builds on the company's existing robotic guidance technology to include analytical tools, multiple-source data, precision guidance, optical tracking, intraoperation verification and connectivity technologies.
Globus Medical. The Audubon, Pa.-based company presented Excelsius, its investigational robotics system, informing Leerink Partners it expects technology approval and launch in 2017. The system features non-patient bedside docking and an optical tracking system. The company expects revenue from the system in the latter half of 2017.
Synaptive Medical. This year's NASS meeting also featured the Toronto, Canada-based company's BrightMatter robotic arm, which is intended to provide visualization of neural structures and soft tissues. Synaptive developed the technology so surgeons could stand upright while operating and still view the monitor.
DePuy Synthes. The Raynham, Mass.-based spine division featured its Kick system, which it developed with Germany-based BrainLab. The system includes FluoroExpress Software, and is designed to offer real-time, intraoperative visualization of instruments and implants in relation to patient anatomy. Surgeons may leverage the navigation to accurately place pedicle screws.