FDA clears Zimmer robot that combines brain, spine, knee functionality

Dive Brief:

Zimmer Biomet said it received FDA 510(k) clearance for its Rosa One Spine system for robotically assisted surgery that works on the same platform as its brain and knee applications.
The robotic, surgical navigation system is designed to aid surgeons in performing thoracolumbar minimally invasive and complex spine procedures.
The spine function expands the applications of the Rosa One Brain and Rosa Knee systems that received 510(k) clearance earlier in the first quarter, the Warsaw, Indiana-based company said.

Dive Insight:

The first quarter has ushered in a flurry of developments on the robotic surgery front as companies make big bets on the technology's potential to improve patient outcomes in minimally invasive procedures.

With its Rosa platform, Zimmer Biomet provides fresh competition for longtime rival Stryker, whose Mako robotic system is boosting growth in the company's orthopaedics business. Stryker continues to roll out its robotic offering, installing 54 Mako systems in the fourth quarter, to bring its total installed base to 642 robots. The company boasted a healthy order book for the robot in 2019 on its fourth-quarter earnings call.

Other medtech companies stepping up their game in the robotic surgery field are Johnson & Johnson, which in February announced the $3.4 billion acquisition of Auris Health, developer of a system targeting lung cancer procedures.

J&J's move followed Medtronic's purchase in January of Israel's Mazor Robotics for $1.7 billion. Medtronic said Mazor's robotic guidance system for spinal surgery complements its own portfolio of spine implants and navigation and 3D imaging technologies.

Not to be outdone, robotic surgery pioneer Intuitive Surgical continues to add indications for its da Vinci line with FDA clearance earlier this month for two otolaryngology procedures for its single port system. Intuitive is also preparing to launch its new Ion catheter for lung biopsies after receiving FDA clearance last month to market the product.

Zimmer said it is now the only company on the market with a single robot hardware platform to treat neurosurgical, spinal and knee pathologies. The system has 3D intraoperative planning software and a suite of navigation technologies designed to improve implant and instrument placement accuracy, Zimmer said.

The multi-function robot can increase the utilization of the robotic platform within the hospital's neurosurgical and orthopedic departments, reducing technology acquisition costs and streamlining service, repair and education, the company said.