Smith+Nephew’s CORI XT Handheld Robotics Platform Used in First Clinical Cases

Smith+Nephew’s next‑generation CORI XT Handheld Robotics Platform has made its clinical debut.

The company designed CORI XT Platform to be a handheld robotics platform for all orthopedic needs—partial to revision knee, hip,* and anatomic and reverse shoulders—with a footprint tailored to the needs of hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). The CORI XT Platform was used in the early cases across both knee and shoulder arthroplasty, and they reflect Smith+Nephew’s Skill Amplified approach to handheld robotics—i.e., designing technology to support and enhance surgeon expertise while preserving surgeon control, clinical judgment, and efficient workflows, bigwigs said.

The first shoulder arthroplasty cases using the CORI XT Platform were performed by a Duke Health surgical team led by Dr. Christopher Klifto. He used CORI SHOULDER Handheld Robotic Arthroplasty in combination with the AETOS Shoulder System. CORI SHOULDER offers a complete robotic procedure, supporting handheld robotic execution of the humerus and glenoid, across both anatomic and reverse procedures.

“The CORI SHOULDER workflow was streamlined and efficient; registration and planning were seamless; and the post‑op X‑rays matched our pre‑op planning. A proud moment for the team and an exciting milestone for shoulder robotics,” Dr. Klifto stated.

Building on this initial clinical experience, Dr. Bertrand Kaper completed the first CORI XT shoulder arthroplasty cases in an ASC setting at North Valley Surgery Center in Scottsdale, Ariz. That procedure further expanded the use of the CORI XT Platform across care environments, highlighting the versatility and fit of the CORI XT Platform in an ASC setting, and the well-suited nature of handheld robotics to shoulder arthroplasty, according to Smith+Nephew.

“It is a privilege to be part of this effort to bring the accuracy of robotic technology to the surgical treatment of shoulder arthritis,” Dr. Kaper commented. “The use of CORI Handheld Robotics allows us to merge advanced technology with surgical expertise to deliver personalized care for shoulder surgery. As we have witnessed with our knee replacement patients, robotic technology enhances the potential for patient recovery and implant longevity. I am confident that these innovations will become the standard for helping our patients who are dealing with the pain and disability of shoulder arthritis.”

The first knee replacement procedures using the CORI XT Platform were completed at NYU Langone Health by Dr. Ran Schwarzkopf, an orthopedic surgeon and joint replacement specialist.

The CORI XT Platform provides the benefits of robotic assistance while preserving the efficiency and familiarity of established surgical workflows. Its handheld form factor enables surgeons to access robotic guidance and execution support without disrupting procedural flow or adding operational complexity to the operating room.

As part of Smith+Nephew’s Skill Amplified robotics approach, CORI XT Platform is designed to enhance accuracy¹ while maintaining surgeon control, tactile feedback, and decision‑making throughout the procedure. By integrating naturally into surgeons’ existing practices, the platform supports consistent execution without requiring changes to the operating room setup or procedural workflow.

With its compact footprint and mobility, CORI XT Platform is suited for both hospital and ASC environments.² The system integrates with Smith+Nephew’s CORIOGRAPH Pre-Operative Planning and Modeling Services to support patient‑specific planning while enabling efficient intraoperative execution.

“These first clinical cases reflect close collaboration with surgeon partners and our commitment to introducing handheld robotics in a thoughtful and practical way,” said Mayank Shandil, Smith+Nephew senior vice president of Global Marketing Orthopaedics and Robotics. “Our Skill Amplified approach focuses on supporting surgical accuracy while enabling surgeons to work efficiently and confidently within their preferred workflows.”

The CORI XT Platform is part of Smith+Nephew’s broader MTECH (Musculoskeletal Technologies to Enhance Care and Healing) portfolio, spanning robotics, navigation, visualization, and enabling technologies across orthopedic surgery.

Smith+Nephew is a medical technology business focused on the repair, regeneration and replacement of soft and hard tissue. Its 17,000 employees help make a difference to patients’ lives through the invention and application of new technologies across the firm’s three global business units—Orthopaedics, Sports Medicine & ENT, and Advanced Wound Management. Founded in Hull, United Kingdom, in 1856, Smith+Nephew operates in about 100 countries, and generated $6.2 billion in 2025 sales. Smith+Nephew is a constituent of the FTSE100.

* CORI HIP Handheld Robotic Arthroplasty indication is under development

References
¹ Bollars P, Janssen D, De Weerdt W, et al. Improved accuracy of implant placement with an imageless handheld robotic system compared to conventional instrumentation in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized controlled trial using CT-based assessment of radiological outcomes. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2023;31(12):5446-5452.
² Smith+Nephew 2020. Internal report. ER0488 Rev. B  Smith+Nephew 2020. Comparison of operating room footprint for robotic-assisted knee arthroplasty systems. Internal Report. EO.REC.PCS015.002.v1.