Blue Belt Technologies announces the first NavioPFS™ Unicondylar Knee Replacement surgery performed in the US
PITTSBURGH, Feb. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Belt Technologies, Inc., the innovative medical technology company that markets its NavioPFS™ orthopedic surgical system with precision robotics for unicondylar knee replacement, today announced the first three Unicondylar Knee Replacement (UKR) surgeries performed in the U.S. with the NavioPFS system. Dr. D. Kevin Lester, of Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno, CA, performed three NavioPFS surgeries for patients suffering from medial osteoarthritis, marking the initial use of the NavioPFS system at Community Regional, which was the first hospital in the country to install the system in late January, 2013.
The NavioPFS™ surgical system represents the next generation of precision orthopedic surgery, with an initial indication for use in UKR procedures, and a wide array of future applications in development. Blue Belt received 510(k) clearance to sell and market the NavioPFS system in the United States on November 30, 2012.
"The NavioPFS system worked perfectly, allowing me to plan my surgery exactly as I wished, and executing that plan precisely as intended," said Dr. Lester, an orthopedic surgeon at Community Regional. "In partial knee replacements, maintaining the integrity and balance of the soft-tissue envelope is a difficult variable to properly control when using manual instrumentation. Using the NavioPFS, this step is seamlessly integrated into the system, and the robotic handpiece allows for precise and repeatable bone preparation. I am looking forward to continuing to offer this new and excellent option to my patients."
Utilizing the integrated CT-free navigation system with intraoperative registration and planning, Dr. Lester successfully planned two left-medial and one right-medial partial knee replacement surgeries and executed bone preparation through a less-invasive incision using the NavioPFS precision freehand sculpting handpiece.
"Performing three surgeries out of the gate in the United States is a significant milestone for us and confirms that Dr. Lester and Community Regional will be excellent partners for us and our technology moving forward," said Eric B. Timko, President and CEO of Blue Belt Technologies. "We are all very pleased with the initial results and look forward to continued success as we begin our commercialization, both in the U.S. and European markets."
Blue Belt Technologies, Inc.
Blue Belt Technologies, Inc. has developed 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.
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