Blue Belt Technologies Announces World's First Surgery Performed with NavioPFS™ Robotic Surgical System
PITTSBURGH, July 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Belt Technologies, Inc. announced the world's first clinical use of the NavioPFS™ system, a Unicompartmental Knee Replacement (UKR) completed on July 10, 2012 by Professor Johan Bellemans at the University Hospital at Pellenberg, Belgium. The NavioPFS surgical system represents the next generation of precision robotics in the orthopedic operating room, with an initial application in UKR surgeries, and a wide array of applications in development in neurosurgery, otolaryngology (ENT), and spine. NavioPFS received a CE Mark for European commercialization at the end of the first quarter 2012.
"This technology has impressed me as being years ahead of expectations. The surgical outcome was excellent, perfectly planning and executing the implant placement," said Professor Bellemans, chairman of the Orthopaedic Department at the University Hospitals Leuven and Pellenberg, Belgium.
Professor Bellemans continued, "Less-invasive surgeries like partial knee replacements lend themselves to quicker patient recovery and the opportunity to return to an active life-style. The NavioPFS system provides a platform to achieve these surgeries with greater precision and reproducible results than ever before."
Utilizing the integrated CT-free navigation system with intraoperative registration and planning, Professor Bellemans successfully planned the left-medial knee replacement surgery and executed bone preparation through a less-invasive incision using the NavioPFS precision freehand sculpting handpiece.
Commenting on the procedure, Eric B. Timko, President and CEO of Blue Belt Technologies, said, "We are thrilled to have worked so closely with Professor Bellemans and his team in order to accomplish this significant milestone. The ability to successfully transition from the development stage to the clinical environment is most challenging so we do not take for granted the importance of what we accomplished today. This represents both the culmination of the Blue Belt team's years of hard-work, as well as the next chapter for this company as we work hard to bring this innovative technology to orthopedic operating theaters around the world."
Mr. Timko went on to say, "This has been an exciting summer so far for Blue Belt Technologies, having submitted our 510(k) to the FDA, receiving recognition through Frost & Sullivan's 2012 Global Orthopedic Surgery Technology Innovation Award, and now treating the first patient with NavioPFS. We couldn't be more pleased with the progress we are making at Blue Belt and expect that our positive momentum will continue."
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.
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