DePuy Synthes inks sales agreement with Radlink to offer real-time image guidance with hip replacement systems

DePuy Synthes Companies has signed an exclusive worldwide sales agreement with Radlink, Inc., an emerging global leader in advanced medical imaging technology, to offer real-time image guidance with its hip replacement systems. The agreement further demonstrates DePuy Synthes Companies’ ongoing commitment to help improve patient outcomes, increase patient satisfaction and reduce costs. The announcement was made in conjunction with the 81^st annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) in Las Vegas.

The agreement with Radlink provides DePuy Synthes Companies with exclusive rights to market the Radlink Galileo Positioning System™ (GPS) featuring Surgeon’s Checklist™ for use with DePuy Synthes Companies’ hip replacement systems.

The GPS provides surgeons with real-time intra-operative imaging and navigation, and easy-to-follow steps that are designed to help them address key challenges in hip replacement, such as component positioning, sizing, leg length and offset restoration for all surgical approaches. With advanced intraoperative imaging that processes and displays in only four seconds, the GPS has the potential to significantly reduce the time, labor, and expense associated with traditional digital imaging technology.

This is DePuy Synthes Companies’ second agreement in less than a year to expand access to enabling technologies for use with its products and solutions. An agreement signed last fall between DePuy Synthes Companies and Blue Belt Technologies of Plymouth, Minn., for the Blue Belt Navio^® Surgical System has resulted in the first clinical use of the Navio^® System with DePuy Synthes Companies’ SIGMA^® High Performance (HP) Partial Unicondylar Knee. The Navio® system combines CT-free navigation software with a hand-held robotic-assisted bone shaping tool that is designed to bring a high degree of implant placement accuracy along with soft tissue balancing benefits.

“The GPS and Navio^® technologies are significant innovations that will help physicians deliver care as effectively and efficiently as possible,” said Max Reinhardt, Franchise Unit Leader, DePuy Synthes Companies. “We have chosen what we believe are among the best technologies in the marketplace that, when complemented by DePuy Synthes Companies’ products, will provide a total solution and therefore maximize patient care.”

Both Radlink’s Galileo Positioning System™ and use of Blue Belt’s Navio^® system with the SIGMA^® High Performance (HP) Partial Unicondylar Knee are available in the United States with launches planned in other geographies.