Acrobot Pursues Orthopedic Partners In Multiple Markets

Article preview reprinted from "The Gray Sheet" - June 16, 2008

Acrobot is seeking a partner to help market its line of "intelligent surgical tools" in the U.S. orthopedic implant surgery market beginning in 2009.

The firm's goal is to submit 510(k) applications in the next few months and launch its Planner three-dimensional visualization software and Navigation electromagnetic navigation system by the 2009 first quarter, according to Acrobot CEO Graeme Brookes.

Planner creates a three-dimensional image of the anatomy based on computed tomography. It allows the surgeon to visualize parts of a joint implant separately, and plan the exact positioning, size and range of motion of the implant needed for the procedure.

Navigation mechanically tracks the movement of the surgical instrument with two tracking arms, one attached to the patient and one attached to the surgical instrument. During surgery, it lets the surgeon compare the actual position of an instrument to where it is supposed to be according to the plan that was created with the Planner software.

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