Pictured above is the ROSA robotic knee replacement assistant which Memorial Hospital will be purchasing. Along with assisting with the surgery, the robot allows surgeons to plan out procedures more accurately by offering 3D imaging of the knee, shown below. (Photos submitted)
In the future, surgeons performing knee replacements at Memorial Hospital will be assisted by a robotic counterpart.
Memorial’s Board of Trustees learned Thursday night that the hospital will be purchasing a ROSA knee system from Zimmer Biomet.
The ROSA, short for robotic surgical assistant, assists the surgeon in planning and measuring for the procedure. It offers 3D bone modeling and monitors bone and tissue tension throughout the procedure for increased accuracy.
The robot allows for a more precise match of the shape and size of implants, allowing surgeons to maximize the amount of healthy bone left intact through the procedure.
By imaging and mapping the knee prior to surgery, the ROSA will allow surgeons to plan out the procedure ahead of time with data on soft tissue, femoral rotation and ligament tension, according to Zimmer Biomet literature.
Memorial CEO Chip Hubbs said the purchase of the robot will help support Dr. Forrest Schwartz, who performs all of the system’s knee and hip procedures.
“Typically joint replacement is a surgery that patients research thoroughly,” Hubbs said today. “Dr. Forrest Schwartz, our new, very experienced joint replacement surgeon who recently joined the Memorial team, has indicated that in the short time he has been with us, his total knee and hip patients are asking about this technology. It is one he used as part of his busy surgical practice in New Jersey so he is highly trained and experienced already.”
Increased precision allowed by use of the ROSA makes replacements safer, according to Memorial Health information. It also decreases the risk for infection and readmission.
“Using this robotic surgical assistant adds one more layer of safety and precision for optimal surgical outcomes,” Hubbs said. “At Memorial we focus heavily on these elements that can make a difference for our patients and it is the cornerstone of Dr. Schwartz’s practice, too.”
The board learned that patients are informed about the use of robotic assistants, with a handful having already asked Schwartz about their use since his hiring in September.
“Dr. Schwartz has hit the ground running in the few months that he has been with us and his patients are extremely pleased both with him as a great surgeon and how they feel after surgery,” Hubbs said. “We had planned to make this investment as Dr. Schwartz’s practice as part of Memorial Orthopedics and Sports Medicine grew and patients are finding him quickly so we made the decision to enhance our joint replacement program now.”
The deal Memorial received on the device also served to facilitate the purchase.
Because Memorial is purchasing the ROSA at the end of the year it is seeing a price reduction from $1.4 million to $740,000. Service fees on the ROSA for years 2-5 will cost $88,500 per year, reduced from $98,500.
The total cost over the first five years owning the ROSA will cost $1.1 million, reduced from a regular figure of $2.1 million.