Several spine and orthopedic surgical robots have advanced in 2021 from FDA approvals to extended applications and reach.
Here are nine growing robots to follow:
1. The Fusion Robotics system received FDA clearance in February 2021. It's a 3D imaging navigation and robotic targeting system for spine surgery. The system is designed to improve spine procedural efficiency "with significantly less expense" compared with currently available robotic systems, according to Fusion Robotics.
2. Brainlab's Cirq, a robotic surgical system for spine procedures, received FDA clearance in February 2021. The Cirq robotic alignment module assists surgeons during spine procedures.
3. Zimmer Biomet's Rosa partial knee system received clearance from the FDA in April. The device is part of the Rosa Robotics collection, which includes the total knee replacement system and Rosa One spine system. The partial knee system has 2D and 3D imaging technology and intraoperative data collection on soft tissue and bone anatomy designed to improve bone cut accuracy and range of motion gap analysis.
4. The Rosa hip system received approval from the FDA for direct anterior total hip replacements in August. Rosa Hip assists surgeons with preparation, positioning and component impaction during surgery. It's a fluoroscopy-based tool for surgeons using the minimally invasive, direct anterior approach to hip replacement surgery and is compatible with several implant systems.
5. INOV8's second-generation TSolution One robot for knee replacements debuted in August. It has a 3D presurgical planning workstation and active robot and is the only total joint replacement system with an open implant library.
6. Globus Medical's ExcelsiusGPS robot was first used in cranial surgery in September. ExcelsiusGPS Cranial Solutions combines MRI preoperative planning with robotic trajectory alignment.
7. Medtronic's Mazor X for robot-assisted spine surgery expanded its footprint into Canada in October. Mazor X integrates with the StealthStation navigation system and uses 3D imaging to guide planning and visualization. It's the first dedicated robotic spine system to hit the Canadian market.
8. Smith+Nephew launched its Cori surgical system for total and partial knee replacements in the U.K. in November. The handheld robot is designed to help surgeons plan and perform knee replacements. Cori helps surgeons remove damaged cartilage and bone surfaces, balance soft tissues around the joint and more precisely position the implant. The system launched in the U.S. in July 2020.
9. Johnson & Johnson's Velys robot debuted in Australia in December at The Mater Hospital Sydney and is approved for use with the company's Attune total knee system.