Robert Cohen is president of Stryker’s Digital Robotics and Enabling Applied sciences group. [Photo courtesy of Stryker]
Stryker is tapping well being knowledge and synthetic intelligence (AI) to enhance surgical robotics outcomes.Robert Cohen, president of Digital Robotics and Enabling Applied sciences at Stryker, lately mentioned his mission with DeviceTalks Editorial Director Tom Salemi.
Stryker created the Digital Robotics and Enabling Applied sciences group in 2021 to “stay laser-focused on the technology,” Cohen mentioned.
“What’s going on in the world of digital, what’s going on in the world of health records, what’s going on in the world of product security? How do we assure there’s no bias in algorithm development? We’re looking at local regulations as well as managing the R&D groups that are doing the robotics, the software, the navigation units for cranial ENT,” he mentioned.
Beforehand: Stryker leaders discuss medtech traits at DeviceTalks Boston
Stryker is engaged on ways in which knowledge assortment and evaluation will help surgeons personalize procedures for particular person sufferers to enhance outcomes. Stryker can pull well being info from authorities sources, companions and distinctive knowledge units off its personal tools. The corporate needs to then discover methods to use that knowledge to higher inform orthopedic machine design and implantation, delivering software program upgrades on its digital programs and portals for surgeons. Utilizing digital well being report knowledge in that manner can profit the whole orthopedics firm, not simply separate divisions.
“If you got a total hip, if you got a total knee, if you got lower spine, if you got foot and ankle, even if you got shoulder, one of the success criteria is mobility. Another success criteria is readmission, reoperation. Those are all the same, which bridges three different or four different divisions,” Cohen mentioned. “What we try to do is consolidate that so Stryker can innovate and Stryker can accelerate and we want to do this fast and we want to be a leader.”
Supercharging the Mako surgical robotics system
The aim of Stryker’s Mako surgical robotics system is to present extra predictable outcomes. [Image courtesy of Stryker]
Cohen sees huge potential for its Mako system within the subsequent 5 years. The surgical robotics platform was centered on knee procedures when Stryker acquired Mako Surgical in 2013.“We’re working on a total shoulder program. There are no robots in total shoulders right now. When that gets released, that runway is so large. There are so many different things we could do in shoulders with the existing Mako platform. So that’s a new application to an existing platform that’s super exciting. That will solve clinical issues. Then Mako spine, there’s a lot of different spine robots out there, but there’s nothing like Mako right now,” he mentioned.
Combining the Mako surgical robotics system with Stryker’s imaging and energy instrument programs will let Stryker “stand alone” in area. Cohen mentioned. He additionally expects continued implant enhancements by way of 3D printing and different applied sciences. All of those adjustments open up prospects in joint replacements, akin to smaller incisions, higher placement choices, shorter surgical procedures with much less ache and sooner recoveries.
Warning with AI
Cohen worries in regards to the risks of classy AI merchandise like ChatGPT, that are typically providing biased and inaccurate info.
Stryker’s knowledge assortment and evaluation may give surgeons a uniquely helpful supply of data to contemplate whereas enhancing outcomes, security, high quality of care and effectivity.
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“If we could look at things like the comorbidities of someone, the characteristics of a patient and further identify them as a unique individual, then we can pool that and have the surgeon compare that to others of like on a large database and get some insights,” he mentioned. “Or in the operating room — This knee is too loose this way and this way. Before we do any cuts, what’s the planning? Maybe we can have some automated algorithms that’ll give the surgeon all the mathematical formulas in the background and spit out an optimal plan based on the input provided by the surgeon. That’s as far as we’re going for a period of time.”
Transfer quick or die
Stryker’s move-fast technique consists of partnerships with massive tech corporations, digital corporations and entities akin to hospital programs and universities which have entry to knowledge and expertise.
Stryker’s shopping for expertise to hit the market sooner than it may by arising with it internally. Within the working room, for instance, Stryker in 2021 acquired Gauss Surgical, which developed expertise to monitor blood loss in actual time utilizing pc imaginative and prescient and AI. The Gauss group is now a part of Cohen’s group to leverage throughout the whole group.
“It shows you at Stryker, we’re going to get this stuff and put it on steroids, and we’re going to go quick. … It doesn’t matter how big Stryker is. It doesn’t matter how long Stryker has been around. A slow company will fail.”
Hear to the entire dialog with Cohen at DeviceTalks.com or beneath.
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