MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Blue Belt Technologies announces the first Navio™ unicondylar knee replacement (UKR) procedures performed in France, completed on September 30th, October 15th and Nov 4th 2013 by Professor Philippe Neyret and Dr. Sébastien Lustig at Hospices Civils de Lyon in France. The Navio™ surgical system represents the next generation of precision orthopaedic surgery, with an initial indication for use in UKR procedures and a wide array of future applications in development.
Professor Neyret utilized the Navio system to assist in surgical planning and precision bone preparation for the patient who presented with lateral compartment osteoarthritis. The Navio system provides image free navigation and planning that creates a precisely aligned surgical plan for implantable components. A robotic-controlled Navio handpiece is then used by the surgeon to resurface the damaged bone and prepare it for implantation.
“We achieved exactly what we planned,” said the operating surgeon, Professor Neyret. “The Navio system allowed us to localize the implant, balance the patient’s ligaments and robotically prepare the bone surface.”
Commenting on the procedure, John Tierney, Vice President and European General Manager of Blue Belt Technologies, said, “Navio continues to exceed clinical expectations in its initial applications across the global orthopaedic community. We are excited to engage with Professor Neyret and Dr. Lustig to showcase the Navio technology.”
Les Hospices Civils de Lyon, France.
As a Public Centre of Excellence, the «Hospices Civils de Lyon» make up the second-largest University Hospital Network in France.
For over 200 years, as a network providing expertise in all disciplines – both medical and surgical – the Hospices Civils de Lyon have offered a wide range of human, technical and logistical resources to ensure that they provide care, training, research, medical innovation as well as disease prevention and health education. Today, the HCL comprise 14 multidisciplinary or specialised establishments providing a diverse range of services.
The HCL also make up a world-class network for the fight against cancer, and are ranked amongst the 25 best hospitals in the world.
They are key establishments particularly in neurosciences, genetics and rare diseases.
With an annual budget allocation of 1.5 billion Euros, more than 5,400 beds and spaces and over 23,000 professionals, of which 5,000 are internationally recognised doctors with access to the latest equipment, the network devotes itself daily to its mission: contributing towards the constant improvement of the health of the French and Europeans.
Blue Belt Technologies, Inc.
Blue Belt Technologies, Inc. is developing the next generation of “smart” surgical instruments 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. The Company’s STRIDE™ Unicondylar Knee system provides advanced implant features optimized for use with NavioPFS.