Robotic Surgical Assistant to Utilize Zimmer Knee Replacement System
ROBODOC System to add Zimmer knee and hip capabilities
(WARSAW, IN December 20, 1999) -- Zimmer, Inc., announced today that it will begin work with Integrated Surgical Systems to add the NexGen® Complete Knee Solution to the menu of products that can be used with ISS's ROBODOC Surgical Assistant System, under terms of an agreement between the two companies. Zimmer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (NYSE: BMY).
Zimmer and ISS also have agreed to add the Zimmer® Anatomic Hip Prosthesis and the Trilogy® Acetabular System to Zimmer hip products already available to ROBODOC users.
"We believe robot-assisted surgery is an innovation that will continue to grow in acceptance, and we are pleased to be working with ISS as they expand their systems from hip replacement to knee replacement," said Ray Elliott, Zimmer president. "The selection of the NexGen System as one of the first knee replacements available to ROBODOC users is a validation of the global acceptance and versatility of our knee implant design."
The ROBODOC system is currently approved for use for hip replacement in Europe, with units placed in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain and Japan. The system has been used to perform more than 5,000 hip replacements. Zimmer's flagship hip system, the VerSys® Hip System, was added to ROBODOC's capabilities under terms of a 1998 agreement between Zimmer and ISS. The addition of the Anatomic hip prosthesis will expand its acceptance to a broader range of orthopaedic surgeons.
ROBODOC is a milling robot that mills the cavity of a patient's bone prior to insertion of a prosthetic implant. The process eliminates many of the traditional cutting and measuring instruments used in joint replacement surgery.
Zimmer is a world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of orthopaedic implants and related equipment and supplies. The company provides a broad range of joint replacement, fracture management and patient care products. Founded in 1927, Zimmer became a member of the Bristol-Myers Squibb family of companies in 1972.
