Revolutionizing Knee Replacement Surgery with CUVIS Joint Robotic System

The advancement of technology and robotics has been a major factor in the continual improvement of joint replacement (also known as arthroplasty) procedures. This type of surgery is most often done for patients suffering from arthritis (Rheumatoid Arthritis or Osteoarthritis), who experience limited joint movement and pain. As the prevalence of arthritis in India is on the rise, a breakthrough technology was needed to meet the needs of both surgeons and patients.
The 21st century has been an era of artificial intelligence (AI) and technological innovation, and the introduction of robotic systems for the successful execution of joint replacement procedures is one such example. Knee replacement being the most common among joint replacement surgeries, has been the focus of many researchers and technologists.
Robotic knee replacement systems can be classified as passive, semi-active, and active systems. This categorization is based on the amount of work done by the robotic system with the least human interference. Passive robotic joint replacement systems are the least autonomous, while active systems are the most autonomous, requiring the least human intervention.
CUVIS Joint, the world’s first active robotic knee replacement system, is set to revolutionize the way joint replacement surgeries are done. Meril Healthcare Pvt. Ltd., India’s leading orthopaedic implant manufacturer, has partnered with South Korea-based Curexo Inc. to bring this revolutionary technology to India. CUVIS Joint is designed with four core values in mind: Accuracy, Flexibility, Safety, and Ease of Use. When compared to other robotic systems, it has excelled in all of these categories for both surgeons and patients.
CUVIS Joint consists of three major components: Main Console, Robotic Arm, and Planning Device. The pre-planning of the surgery is done the day before, using patient-specific CT imaging, with the planning device. The Main Console with its Optical Tracking System (OTS) monitors the surgery in real-time and guides the surgeon. The robotic arm with a milling tool mounted on its tip does the bone cutting, with submillimetric dimensional accuracy. It also allows the surgeon to choose a resection strategy and change the surgical plan intra-operatively if necessary. With its restricted bone cutting and Bone Movement Monitoring (BMM) feature, CUVIS Joint offers maximum safety.
Benefits for Patients:
* Personalization: patient-specific pre-planning and virtual surgery simulation
* Best implant positioning with maximum cutting accuracy helps with the improved longevity and durability of implantation
* Least human intervention leading to reduced possibility of human errors and a possibility of intra-operative infection
* Faster recovery and discharge from hospitals
CUVIS Joint was installed at Sakra World Hospital in Bengaluru, with leading joint replacement surgeon Dr Chandrashekar P. (Director – Orthopedics, Sakra World Hospital) at the helm. Since its launch on December 13, 2020, the joint replacement surgery team has successfully completed more than 120 knee replacement surgeries with CUVIS Joint. Dr Chandrashekar had this to say about the advanced robotic joint replacement system: “My association with CUVIS Joint started in its developmental phase. And I must say, it has performed extraordinarily inside OT. In two months time, we have already performed around 100 surgeries and all of our patients are doing exceedingly well. This advanced robotic joint replacement system has surely started a revolution in the field of arthroplasty.”
Meril Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. has plans to make this unique technology available in major cities across India, in order to provide quality healthcare to people from different geographies. Meril, headquartered in Vapi, Gujarat, caters to the needs of 18,000+ patients worldwide through its five different verticals dedicated to Cardiovascular, Orthopedics, Endo-surgery, Diagnostics, and ENT segments of healthcare.