Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics and BrainLAB Announce Exclusive Computer-Assisted Surgery Development Agreement
MEMPHIS, Tenn. and MUNICH, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ — Smith & Nephew’s Orthopaedics business and BrainLAB today announce an agreement by which BrainLAB will become the exclusive vendor for developing and supporting computer-assisted surgical technologies for Smith & Nephew’s high performance hip and knee implants.
Starting in March 2009, Munich-based BrainLAB will begin work integrating the Smith & Nephew portfolio of instruments, implants and pre-existing navigation technology into their proprietary systems. BrainLAB’s expertise and leading market share will extend the success of Smith & Nephew in this arena, building on the innovations introduced within the implant maker’s PiGALILEO system. For instance, the exclusive PiGALILEO ACCULIGN(TM) motorized positioning guide will be a central component of future development, and will remain exclusive to Smith & Nephew implant-specific applications.
“Relying exclusively on navigation from BrainLAB, the market and technology leader for computer assisted surgery, Smith & Nephew can focus more of our resources on our core business – the design, development, marketing and sale of orthopaedic implants,” says Joseph DeVivo, president of Smith & Nephew Orthopaedics. “This supports our strategy to be the preferred brand of active patients while partnering with healthcare professionals to deliver innovative hip, knee and trauma portfolios.”