TAMPA, FL – (Sept. 2, 2015) – Florida Orthopaedic Institute announces that Dr. Michael Miranda is the first physician in Florida to use the Blue Belt Technologies Navio® Surgical System, a robotic-controlled handpiece. Dr. Miranda used the technology to perform a partial knee replacement on Friday and, for the first time in the country, implemented a ZUK uni-compartmental knee implant. The implant was introduced globally in 2004 and was acquired in June 2015 by Smith & Nephew.

The Navio technology for partial knee replacements utilizes an advanced CT-free, intra-operative registration, planning and navigation platform to assist the surgeon in building patient-specific surgical plans. During Friday’s procedure, the robotic-controlled handpiece assisted Dr. Miranda in preparing the bone to enable highly precise and consistent results for optimal outcomes.

“Using the Navio system allowed me to visualize my patient’s X-ray before I even began to remove bone,” said Dr. Miranda of Florida Orthopaedic Institute. “By making partial knee replacements a more accessible option through improved precision, we ensure that the patient receives a surgical procedure that is generally associated with smaller incisions, less scarring, a shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery when compared to the total knee replacement alternative.”

With no pre-operative CT-scan required, the Navio system allows the patient to receive the benefits of robotic guidance without additional time spent on pre-operative procedures. Instead, the surgeon registers the patient during the procedure using kinematic reconstruction and anatomic landmarks. This information assists the surgeon in planning the implant location and balancing the knee’s ligaments for a more natural feeling knee.

During bone preparation, the Navio robotic-controlled handpiece is tracked in real time in relation to the intended resurfacing plan and is computer controlled to remove only the bone required to place the implant.

Dr. Miranda is a board certified and fellowship trained orthopedic physician specializing in adult reconstruction and arthritis surgery of the hip and knee. With the implementation of this procedure, Florida Orthopaedic Institute continues to explore ways to benefit patients’ overall outcomes and quality of life.

About Blue Belt Technologies, Inc.

Blue Belt Technologies, Inc. is developing the next generation of smart surgical instruments for use initially in orthopedic procedures. The Company’s Navio® Surgical System incorporates patented technology to provide precise robotic control to surgeons via an intelligent, handheld, computer assisted bone cutting tool. The Navio system provides robotic assistance to the surgeon while performing bone shaping tasks through minimally invasive incisions. The Company’s STRIDETM Unicondylar Knee system provides advanced implant features optimized for use with the Navio system.

About Florida Orthopaedic Institute

Founded in 1989, Florida Orthopaedic Institute is Florida’s largest physician-led orthopedic group. It provides expertise and treatment of orthopedic-related injuries and conditions, including adult reconstruction and arthritis, foot and ankle, general orthopedics, hand and wrist, orthopedic trauma, shoulder and elbow, spine, interventional pain management, sports medicine, podiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, chiropractic services, and physical and occupational therapy, among others. The organization treats patients throughout its surgery centers in North Tampa, South Tampa, and Citrus Park, at several orthopaedic Urgent Care centers and at office locations in Bloomingdale, Brandon, Citrus Park, Gainesville, Lakeland, Northdale, North Tampa, Ocala, Palm Harbor, Riverview, South Tampa, Sun City Center and Wesley Chapel.

October 27, 2016