Everyone needs a periodic checkup, and that’s no different for the robotic and computer-assisted surgical market. There’s been a great deal going on in the market in the orthopedic sector over the past few months.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) annual meeting in March, to no one’s surprise, yielded a number of announcements from global orthopedic device makers to streamline the process of joint surgery.

Zimmer Biomet unveiled the latest enhancements to its ZBEdge Dynamic intelligence. The platform integrates the company’s digital, robotic, and implant technologies, connecting and collecting objective data throughout the entire episode of care. ZBEdge is enabled to transform data into insights to empower healthcare providers and elevate the standard of care. Also announced were updates to Zimmer Biomet’s ROSA Knee, its robotically-assisted surgical system that leverages real-time insights to help surgeons optimize outcomes when performing total knee replacement surgery.

Improvements were made to both software and hardware, including enhancements for optimized landmarks, knee state evaluation, cut validation, and data. Compatibility with Persona OsseoTi Keel Tibia for cementless knee replacement was also showcased. Finally, enhanced mixed reality was integrated into ROSA to optimize intra-operative interaction with the platform.

“Nearly two years following its introduction, ZBEdge Dynamic Intelligence continues to deliver innovations with breakthrough technologies designed to enable smarter decision-making, more efficient care, and optimized user experiences,” Ivan Tornos, COO at Zimmer Biomet, told the press.

Stryker launched Mako Total Knee 2.0, the latest in its Mako SmartRobotics portfolio. It includes a new design, customizable workflow, and digital tensioner that helps assess knee stability intraoperatively during a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) without needing further instrumentation.

The new knee is built on Mako SmartRobotics’ legacy and its three components: 3D CT-based planning, AccuStop haptic technology, and Insightful Data Analytics.

“Mako Total Knee 2.0 combines our cutting-edge Mako Technology with our clinically proven Triathlon implants to help surgeons deliver enhanced patient outcomes,” Don Payerle, president of Stryker’s Joint Replacement division, told the press. “Over the last six years, we’ve gathered key feedback from our customers and incorporated those findings into the development of Mako Total Knee 2.0.”

About a month prior, Stryker also netted a new 510(k) clearance for its Q Guidance system with cranial guidance software, which provides image-based planning and intraoperative guidance to support cranial surgeries. The Q Guidance System for spinal applications was launched in September 2022.

The newly cleared indication is for any medical condition where use of computer-assisted planning and surgery is appropriate and can be used intraoperatively where a reference to a rigid anatomical structure can be identified. It tracks navigated instruments and shows position and orientation of instruments in patient images.

The Cranial Guidance Software also features automatic, algorithmic processing and comprehensive guidance data to elevate confidence and surgical ability.

“The FDA clearance of Stryker’s Q Guidance System with Cranial Guidance Software is a key milestone, which will help lead the transformation of cranial navigation and surgery,” Robbie Robinson, president of Stryker’s Spine division, told the press. “Our pipeline of iterative launches reinforces our commitment to making investments focused on providing advanced navigation products and differentiated technologies that our surgeon customers have come to expect.”

The software can be used with a range of instruments and accessories for navigated cranial procedures. New for brain biopsies, the software offers dedicated workflow to support accurate alignment of the Precision Targeting System with a preoperatively planned approach.

Moving outside the top 10 orthopedic device firms, Accelus nabbed an FDA 510(k) for its Remi robotic navigation system with GE OEC 9900 C-Arm fluoroscopic imaging systems.

The Remi surgical robot is a robotic targeting and navigation platform to help surgeons perform robotic-assisted pedicle screw placement in the lumbar spine. The Remi 2D system uses a near-field optical tracking camera to track spinal instruments relative to an anatomical model based on a 3D imaging scan or 2D fluoroscopic patient images.

“Most hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are already utilizing C-arm X-ray fluoroscopy in their surgeries, which means they do not need additional imaging technology to utilize the Remi Robotic Navigation System, thanks to Remi’s most current FDA clearance,” Accelus CEO Chris Walsh told the press. “This allows Remi to be used in smaller hospitals and ASCs and for Accelus to continue to meet the needs of spine surgeons in ways that our competitors have not been able to do.”