John Larkin, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Beacon Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Erlanger, Ky., completed the world's first operation using a smart knee implant, Link NKY reported Nov. 18.
Dr. Larkin used Zimmer Biomet's Persona IQ implant in the operation, which uses sensors to collect data on the patient's recovery and movements after a knee replacement procedure, according to the publication. That information can then be accessed by the patient and the surgeon via a smartphone app.
"[The smart implant] is a true game-changer in terms of where technology is going," Dr. Larkin told Link NKY. "It is not for every patient, but for those who embrace technology, this is the future."