By: 4 September 2020
OrthoNeuro’s Mark Gittins is one of three orthopaedic surgeons worldwide to utilise new handheld robotics platform

In July, OrthoNeuro’s Mark Gittins, became one of just three orthopaedic surgeons worldwide to use Smith+Nephew’s Real Intelligence brand of enabling technology solutions, as well as its new generation handheld robotics platform, the CORI Surgical System.

Dr. Gittins performed five procedures with the CORI surgical system, four total knee replacements and a partial total knee replacement surgery, all performed at the New Albany Surgical Center on July 16.  New Albany Surgical Center’s CORI is one of only three in the USA and eight in the world. Dr. Gittins was the first surgeon in the United States to execute outpatient procedures using the CORI system.

“This new technology will open a new world of pain relief for orthopaedic patients,” said Dr. Gittins.  “Having the ability to have more reproducibility and more accuracy with the latest robotic technology should improve patients’ lives that have painful knee joints.”

“The Orthopedic Foundation is both honoured and humbled to partner with Dr. Mark Gittins and Smith+Nephew on this cutting edge research into the technical and clinical advantages of the CORI robotic surgical system in joint replacement,” said Daryl Sybert, OrthoNeuro spine surgeon and The Orthopedic Foundation President.  “Clearly, this team is highly focused on the advancement of crippling arthritis care.  We at The Orthopedic Foundation are thankful for the opportunity to assist in this life changing research.”

Real Intelligence will address clinical challenges through the continuum of care including patient engagement, pre-operative planning, digital and robotic surgery, post-operative assessment and outcomes measurement. Each solution in the Real Intelligence digital ecosystem informs the next phase of treatment, and over time will allow healthcare providers to use outcomes data to better inform patient specific treatments.

The new CORI surgical platform – now available for both unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty – is small and portable, making it ideal for ambulatory surgery centres (ASCs) and outpatient surgery. CORI includes new camera technology and more efficient cutting technology.  CORI is surgeon-controlled handheld robotics, and its modular design will enable it to be scaled across the orthopaedic service line. Smith+Nephew will continue to introduce new applications for this robotics platform.

Photos courtesy of OrthoNeuro.