Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/984530
41 DEVICES & IMPLANTS O-arm vs. robotic guidance vs. freehand for pedicle screw placement: Which is most accurate? 5 findings By Laura Dyrda A new study published in Spine compares the accuracy of robotic guidance, O-arms and the freehand technique during spine surgery. e study covered 84 patients who underwent surgery with 569 implantations of lumbar and thoracic screws. Eleven of the patients — with 64 screws — had place- ment with robotic assistance; 35 patients — with 191 screws — had O-arm placement; and 48 patients — with 314 screws — had them inserted with lateral fluo- roscopy using the freehand technique. Study authors found: 1. ere wasn't a statistically significant difference be- tween the three groups in placement accuracy: • Freehand: 70.4 percent • O-arm: 69.6 percent • Robotic guidance: 78.8 percent 2. Screw misplacement was also similar between the groups; around 6.4 percent of the freehand screws, 4.2 percent of the O-arm screws and 4.7 percent of the ro- botic-guided screws were considered misplaced. 3. e researchers reported similar accuracy rates be- tween the senior spine surgeon and the spine fellow in- serting the screws. "Under supervision, spinal fellows might perform equally well to experienced surgeons using new tools," they concluded. 4. Study authors concluded the new technologies didn't alter the screw placement accuracy. However, they advised, "e lack of difference in accuracy does not imply that the above-mentioned techniques have no added advantages." 5. While accuracy is similar between all three meth- ods, other issues such as radiation exposure, fiddle fac- tor and teaching suitability were not reflected in these findings. n Johnson & Johnson acquires robotic systems developer Orthotaxy: 5 things to know By Shayna Korol J ohnson & Johnson, through French affiliate Apsis S.A.S, ac- quired Orthotaxy, a privately held developer of software-enabled surgery technologies, including a robotic-assisted surgery solution. Here are five things to know. 1. Orthotaxy's proprietary technology is currently in early-stage devel- opment for total and partial knee replacement. J&J plans to broaden its application for a range of orthopedic surgery procedures. 2. J&J aims to build a robotic-assisted orthopedic surgery solution that is cost-effective, time-efficient and user-friendly in a variety of care settings. 3. Moving forward, J&J will focus on digital technology solutions across the full continuum of care. 4. Robotics entrepreneur Stéphane Lavallée founded Orthotaxy. 5. Financial terms of the transaction will not be disclosed. n Alphatec names Patrick Miles CEO, adds new board members By Laura Dyrda A lphatec named a new CEO, COO and CMO. In conjunction with announcing it would acquire SafeOp, Al- phatec named Patrick Miles CEO, Terry Rich president and COO, and Luiz Pimenta, MD, CMO. Both Mr. Miles and Mr. Rich will remain on the company's board. Mr. Miles joined Alphatec in the fall of 2017 after spending 17 years with NuVasive. Mr. Miles left his roles as NuVasive's president and COO as well as the president of global products and services. Mr. Rich previously served as Alphatec's CEO; when Mr. Miles joined the company as executive chairman, Mr. Rich reported to him. The company also brought on Dr. Pimenta, a spine surgeon with more than 30 years of experience, for his expertise. After the company com- pletes its acquisition of SafeOp, Richard O'Brien, MD, and Robert Snow — both SafeOp scientific principals — will also join Alphatec as executives. Alphatech will also expand its board as a result of the transaction to include: • James Tullis, founder and CEO of Tullis Health Investors • Jason Hochberg, a partner with L-5 Healthcare Partners and founder and CEO of SJS Beacon, an investment company • Evan Bakst, a partner with L-5 Healthcare Partners and founder and portfolio manager of Treetop Capital n