Electromagnetic Knee Replacement

The first electromagnetic computer-assisted knee replacement procedure has been performed successfully by a surgeon at the Methodist Hospital in Houston (TX, USA).

Electromagnetic tracking systems are an alternative that enables more minimally invasive surgical techniques than infrared camera technology, commonly used today. The term "electromagnetic” refers to the method used to locate and track the implants and instruments relative to patient anatomy. An electromagnetic field transmitter generates a local magnetic field around a specific area of anatomy. This localization system, armed with magnetic sensors, is able to identify the position of instrumentation. Electromagnetic miniature reference trackers are attached to the patient's bones and the surgical instruments, producing a real-time, three-dimensional (3D) video display of the surgical procedure.

The proprietary system was developed by Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (Warsaw, IN, USA) and Medtronic Navigation (Minneapolis, MN, USA). The system involves computer-assisted equipment, software, and surgical instruments. Centerpulse AG, acquired by Zimmer in 2003, had been previously involved in the development of electromagnetics for orthopedic navigation, but the current collaboration is the first to produce a successful system for widespread commercialization. In January 2005, the system was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Dr. David Lionberger, an orthopedic surgeon at Methodist Hospital, performed the first
as well as two additional successful navigation-assisted procedures using the electromagnetic system, called AxiEM. He has used other computer-assisted equipment and described the AxiEM system as a great advance. "This system delivers what we, as orthopedic surgeons, have been waiting for. Now we have a means of accurately determining proper implant alignment and placement even while working through much smaller incisions such as minimally invasive surgical procedures.”

Dr. Lionberger used the Zimmer Minimally Invasive Solutions Quad-Sparing total knee replacement procedure designed to produce the following benefits to patients: less tissue trauma and scarring, smaller incisions, a shorter hospital stay, and a faster return to daily activities.





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Zimmer Holdings
Medtronic