Blue Belt Technologies Announces First U.S. Sale of NavioPFS Surgical System

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Belt Technologies, Inc., an innovative medical technology company that markets its NavioPFS™ precision orthopedic surgical system for unicondylar knee replacement, today announced the first sale of the NavioPFS system in the United States. Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, CA has a joint replacement program that is a designated center for excellence and is a Blue Distinction Center for knee and hip replacement. It is expected that Community Regional will establish itself as the first U.S.-based center for Blue Belt and begin performing Navio partial knee surgeries in February 2013 led by Dr. D. Kevin Lester.

"The Navio technology allows me to precisely plan and prepare the bone for partial knee replacements, making available a surgery that can positively impact a patient with mild to-mid stage osteoarthritis and knee pain," said Dr. Lester, an orthopedic surgeon at Community Regional. "The NavioPFS handpiece provides me precise control in a form factor that lends itself to easy integration into my operating room's traditional workflow. I am excited to be able to offer Navio knee surgery to my patients."

The NavioPFS system for unicondylar knee replacements utilizes an advanced CT-free intra-operative registration, planning and navigation platform to aid the surgeon in building patient-specific surgical plans. The computer-controlled hand piece assists the surgeon in preparing the bone with reproducible accuracy. Precision Freehand Sculpting, the underlying technology behind the NavioPFS hand-held technique, represents the next evolution in orthopedic robotic-assisted devices by re-emphasizing the importance of the surgeon in computer-assisted procedures.

"We are excited to announce this milestone just six weeks after receiving our FDA clearance in December, 2012. Community Regional and Dr. Lester will be excellent partners to begin showcasing the power of the NavioPFS system to U.S. patients and customers," said Eric B. Timko, President and CEO of Blue Belt Technologies. "This first order reaffirms our strong goals for U.S. commercialization this year, as the company is focused on rolling out the NavioPFS system throughout the United States and Europe."

Blue Belt Technologies, Inc.

Blue Belt Technologies, Inc. is developing the next generation of "smart" surgical instruments with precision robotics for use initially in orthopedic procedures and then for other surgical specialties, including neurosurgery, spinal and otolaryngology (ENT). The company's NavioPFS System incorporates patented technology to provide precise robotic control to surgeons via an intelligent, handheld, computer-assisted bone-cutting tool. The NavioPFS System provides the surgeon with a layer of safety and enhanced accuracy while performing bone-shaping tasks through minimally invasive incisions.