Blue Belt Technologies' NavioPFS™ Surgical System Earns Frost & Sullivan's 2012 Global Orthopedic Surgery Technology Innovation Award

PITTSBURGH, June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Belt Technologies, Inc. announced that its NavioPFS™ Orthopedic Surgical System has received the Frost & Sullivan 2012 Global Orthopedic Surgery Technology Innovation Award. The NavioPFS system represents the next generation in "smart" orthopedic tools with precision robotics, having an initial application in unicondylar knee replacement surgeries (UKR), for treatment of patients with early to mid-stage osteoarthritis of the knee. NavioPFS combines a world-class surgical navigation suite with intelligent, hand-held instrumentation that enables surgeons to perform more consistent and accurate bone-shaping procedures, which are difficult to execute with traditional instruments.

"All of us at Blue Belt are very excited and honored to accept this global recognition," said Eric B. Timko, president and CEO of Blue Belt Technologies. "We believe NavioPFS, which we are currently launching in Europe, represents the next step forward in robotics and 'smart instruments' by providing surgeons and hospitals with an ergonomic and cost-effective solution dedicated to accurate and consistent bone shaping initially in orthopedic procedures and with future applications in neurosurgery, otolaryngology (ENT) and spine."

Frost & Sullivan's senior analyst Aarti Shetty had this to say about Blue Belt Technologies: "The goal of Blue Belt Technologies to advance surgical techniques while reducing healthcare costs is highly commendable and achievable with its current product offering, NavioPFS system. It will be a useful addition to an orthopedic surgeon's toolkit. It has the potential to alter the way the industry looks at knee replacements and other applications where precise bone shaping is critical."

The 2012 Global Orthopedic Surgery Technology Innovation Award represents a comprehensive review of Blue Belt Technologies, the NavioPFS Surgical System, competition, and competitive technologies. Analysts utilize unique methodologies to determine how best-in-class companies worldwide manage growth, innovation and leadership. Key criteria for the Technology Innovation Award benchmarked Blue Belt Technologies' performance against key competitors:

• Uniqueness of Technology,
• Impact on New Products/Applications,
• Impact on Functionality,
• Impact on Customer Value, and
• Relevance of Innovation to Industry.

Award recipients will be honored at a banquet ceremony on September 12, 2012, at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, California.

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. www.bluebelttech.com