Mazor Robotics, a partner of Medtronic Plc (NYSE:MDT)’s in surgical robotic has released findings from two studies on the effectiveness of its guidance platform in spinal surgeries versus freehand minimally invasive surgery. The results have shown that Mazor’s machines reduce the rates of complications and revision surgical procedure. The studies were presentedat the 23rd International Meeting on Advanced Spine Techniques in Washington, DC.
The first study indicated a three time higher rate of complication in both open freehand cases and freehanded minimally invasive surgery, compared to procedures that used Mazor’s Renaissance robotic spinal surgery system. Surgical revision rate was about 3.8 times higher in freehand cases than in the Renaissance cases. In the second study that had been released in May, data indicated that using Mazor’s guidance system had significantly reduced complication and revision rates as compared to traditional freehand surgery cases.
Speaking at the event OriHadomi, Mazor’s CEO, noted that while MIS adoption in the spinal surgeries is improving, the rate of which MIS surgeries are using Mazor’s surgical guidance technology is far higher than the industry average. This is a demonstration that Mazor’s technology can deliver abetter outcome to patients. Dr. Sweeney, one of the lead investigators of the retrospective study noted that the large retrospectivedataset corroborates the primary findings of the prospective, thus validating the use of Mazor’s Robotics guidance technologies in minimally invasive surgery.
Medtronic’s ventured into the growing field of spinal surgical robotics earlier in the year, following a partnership with Israel’s Mazor. Under the terms of the agreement, the deal could surpass $50 million if all the three tranches are exercised. Medtronic could end up holding about 15% of Mazor.
Medtronic’s joined a growing number of players in the surgical robotics field. Some include Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) and Verily’s joint venture and Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG) among others.
