"Smart" knee implants have only just entered the medtech industry, but BTIG analysts predict they will "become ubiquitous within orthopedics, much like robotics," Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry reported July 6.
Five things to know:
1. Smart implants provide personalized data that can be used to optimize outcomes for patients. Implantable sensors can be used for measuring parameters such as force, torque and pressure.
2. Zimmer Biomet's Persona IQ smart knee implant enables better remote monitoring, tracking steps, range of motion and other metrics for patients and physicians, which could contribute to improved clinical outcomes. Canary Medical is working to incorporate predictive analytics into the technology.
3. As more patients receive the smart implant, it has the potential to gather a vast amount of data on gait metrics post-knee replacement. Orthopedic researchers will be able to use data analytics and machine learning to translate that information into evidence-based recommendations to improve patient care.
4. Persona IQ is designed to upload data from the smart knee implant to the cloud, but this can be challenging because elderly patients do not always have internet connectivity or a computer, according to the report. However, once established, the data allows surgeons to track patients' parameters for longer periods after surgery.
5. Zimmer Biomet CEO Bryan Hanson said he expects "Persona IQ will be the first in a broader portfolio of smart implant technologies in various orthopedic surgery applications."