Frost & Sullivan recognized Blue Belt Technologies with the 2014 Global Frost & Sullivan Award for Enabling Technology Leadership.
Blue Belt's Navio system was recognized. Here are six things to know about the Navio system:
1. Navio is a computer-guided assistance system for orthopedic surgery with a robust technology platform designed to improve operative environment visualization and better surgical planning and execution.
2. The system consists of the Navio Precision Freehand Sculpting, a handheld, robotic-assisted surgical instrument. It also has a computer-based planning and navigation system.
3. Navio has proven outcomes for the unicondylar and patellofemoral knee replacement procedure. The osteoarthritic regions of the knee are identified in the procedure and replaced with the metal implant; the computer guidance prevents surgeons from cutting out to much or too little of the site and can reduce post-surgical complications and revisions.
4. The system has a CT-free approach for intraoperative visualization and computer navigation to lower radiation exposure.
5. Navio is also scalable with a flexible and broad-based technology platform expanding its application possibilities. Blue Belt plans to expand the device's applications in sports medicine, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, spinal and other surgical specialties.
6. Surgeons can continue using implants they are comfortable with when they're using the Navio system.
"The system houses an optical camera directly above the surgical site, allowing the surgeon to re-create a three-dimensional model of the patient's anatomy and kinematics during the procedure," said Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Bhargav Rajan. "The Navio planning suite is fed with patient information and the background of the surgery, which then simulates the procedure and conveys the same to the handheld instrument. The guided and closed-loop approach can increase accuracy and reduce human error.