Global medical device company Smith+Nephew has launched a ‘turn-key’ robotic-assisted surgical system that is designed to quickly augment the orthopaedic team’s skills set for greater accuracy and improved outcomes.
The CORI system is a compact and fully mobile solution that incorporates a 3-D intra-operative imaging system with an advanced robotic sculpting tool.
The robotic system allows surgeons to measure, plan, and perform a knee surgery that is personalised to the patient’s individual anatomy in theatre.
Mr Simon Tarry, managing director, UK, Ireland & Nordics, Smith+Nephew said: “The CORI system enables every patient to have a knee replacement that is shape matched and aligned to their specific anatomy.
“We know that outcomes aren’t consistent in non-robotic surgeries and that one in five patients have issues following surgery. Our technology has evolved so that we can achieve a personalised fit to each individual patient.”
More 680,000 people are currently waiting for a hip or knee replacement. Many of those have waited well over a year, living with chronic pain. More than 10 per cent of patients waiting for knee surgery in the UK say their quality of life is ‘worse than death’.
The benefits of robotics-assisted surgery for patients are myriad and include significantly improved patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and shortened length of hospital stay.
One of the first surgeons to use the device in the UK, Mr Tim Parratt, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at East Suffolk North Essex NHS Foundation Trust said:
“The CORI system is excellent to use. This technology is mobile, portable and slots seamlessly into theatre.
“There is minimal disruption for the theatre staff. If anything, it’s easier than getting conventional kit ready. This system also allows me to tailor the operation to the patient’s unique physiology, whereas with instruments I tended to perform the same operation every time on each patient.”
The CORI system is amongst the first technology to place the surgeon at the heart of the digital operating room. Surgeons can access the benefits of robotic surgery but still have full decision-making capability at each step of the operation.
