MAKO Uses SolidWorks Software to Design Robotics and Implants for Minimally Invasive...

Mon Jul 14, 2008 9:35am EDT

[-] Text [+]

MAKO Uses SolidWorks Software to Design Robotics and Implants for Minimally Invasive Surgery Alternative

Knee replacement doesn't have to be 'total'
CONCORD, Mass.--(Business Wire)--
More than 1,000,000 stiff and aching knees worldwide get replaced
every year, many of which are now candidates for a breakthrough,
minimally invasive knee surgery option called MAKOplasty(R). All of
the procedure's key components - including a robotic arm and
minimally-invasive resurfacing knee implants - were designed in
SolidWorks(R) 3D CAD software.

Based on more than 200 licensed or owned patent applications and
patents, MAKOplasty enables orthopedic surgeons to treat
patient-specific, early- to mid-stage osteoarthritic knee disease with
consistent, reproducible precision. The procedure employs the MAKO
Tactile Guidance System(TM) (TGS(TM)), a proprietary, FDA-cleared
surgeon-interactive robotic arm system that controls surgeons'
movements through the use of tactile resistance technology.
Computer-generated virtual surfaces guide surgeons and the robotic arm
along their planned path and focus cutting on patient-specific 3D
visualizations, based on pre-operative imaging. The surgeon can
confidently make complex tissue-sparing and bone-conserving cuts. Any
necessary adjustments can be made during the operation, and patients
stand to recover faster.

The Fort Lauderdale, Fla., MAKO Surgical Corp. used SolidWorks
software to design the TGS, which uses proprietary cable-drives
instead of gears to make the robotic arm extremely human-interactive,
enabling very high-fidelity tactile response. Knee replacement doesn't
have to be 'total' -

"The implants and instruments benefit from SolidWorks' rapidly
improving surfacing capabilities, and the TGS design benefits from
SolidWorks' large assembly and motion simulation capabilities," said
MAKO CTO, Senior Vice-President and Co-founder Rony Abovitz. "We also
use SolidWorks to design the virtual volumes - the safe cutting zones,
if you will - that guide the surgeon in reshaping patients' bone
surfaces prior to implanting. SolidWorks handles all of these jobs
well, and the software is easy for our engineers to learn no matter
what platform they've learned on."

The MAKOplasty design effort has been under way since 1997,
tracing its surgical navigation and medical robotics roots to a wide
range of licensed and internally developed technologies, notably the
MIT Artificial Intelligence (AI) Lab, Northwestern University's Lab
for Intelligent Machines, and The Cleveland Clinic. One of the
original seats of SolidWorks was used by William Townsend, CEO of
Barrett Technology and the co-inventor of core cable-drive robot
technologies (WAM(TM) arm) at the MIT AI Lab.

"Bill Townsend introduced me to SolidWorks co-founder Jon
Hirschtick in the late 1990's - the two had been friends for some
time. Since the introduction, we have had a long connection and
affinity with SolidWorks - the karma is good, and the results we have
produced to date with it have been great," said Abovitz.

SolidWorks Corporation Vice President of Worldwide Marketing and
Strategy Rainer Gawlick said, "MAKOplasty represents a substantial
leap in the state of the art, one that stands to benefit a vast and
rapidly growing population. It will be interesting to see patients
benefit and the company gradually expand its range of robotic
arm-assisted procedures."

MAKO Surgical relies on authorized SolidWorks reseller The
SolidExperts for ongoing software training, implementation, and
support.

About MAKO Surgical Corp.

MAKO Surgical Corp. is a medical device company that markets its
advanced robotic arm solution and implants for minimally invasive
orthopedic knee procedures. The MAKO Tactile Guidance System(TM)
(TGS(TM)) includes a surgeon-interactive technology platform that
utilizes a tactile robotic arm and patient-specific visualization to
prepare the knee joint for the insertion and alignment of resurfacing
implants through a minimal incision. This FDA-cleared TGS(TM) allows
surgeons to provide a tissue-sparing, bone resurfacing procedure
called MAKOplasty(R) to a large, yet underserved patient-specific
population suffering from early to mid-stage osteoarthritic knee
disease. MAKO Surgical has an intellectual property portfolio of more
than 200 licensed or owned patent applications and patents relating to
the areas of computer assisted surgery, haptics, robotics and
implants. Additional information can be found at www.makosurgical.com.

About The SolidExperts

The SolidExperts enable innovation and new product development for
engineers and manufacturers. With a qualified team of experienced
engineers and certified SolidWorks professionals, The SolidExperts
provide comprehensive sales, support, and training for the full line
of SolidWorks 3D design products. The SolidExperts apply the full
power of the industry's leading design software to help clients
achieve the highest levels of innovation and commercial success.
Founded in 2006, the consultancy consists of the same team which has
served the Florida SolidWorks community since 1999, previously under
the name CADD Centers of Florida. As the only locally owned and
operated Value Added Reseller for SolidWorks in the state, The
SolidExperts remain your local source of reliable SolidWorks
expertise. For more information, visit www.thesolidexperts.com

About SolidWorks Corporation

SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systemes S.A. (Nasdaq: DASTY,
Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA) company, develops and markets software
for design, analysis, and product data management. It is the leading
supplier of 3D CAD technology, giving teams intuitive, high-performing
software that helps them design better products. For the latest news,
information, or an online demonstration, visit the company's Web site
(www.solidworks.com) or call 1-800-693-9000 (outside of North America,
call +1-978-371-5000).

SolidWorks is a registered trademarks of SolidWorks Corporation.
Other brand and product names are trademarks of their respective
owners. Copyright (c) 2008 SolidWorks Corporation.

-0-
*T
Bookmark with de.li.cious
Submit this story to digg
Submit this story to
slashdot
Technorati tags
SolidWorks,
CAD, 3D CAD, MCAD,
Design, Tech, Autodesk,
AutoCAD, SolidEdge,
COSMOSWorks
*T

SolidWorks Corporation
Nancy Buchino, 978-318-5262
nbuchino@solidworks.com
www.solidworks.com
or
Beaupre & Co. Public Relations, Inc.
Darby Johnson, 603-559-5809
djohnson@beaupre.com
www.beaupre.com