DePuy Synthes to Acquire Gemtrack RF Tracking for Navigation, Robotics

DePuy Synthes has begun an agreement to acquire selective rights to develop, manufacture, and sell Gemtrack technology in its Joints portfolio. This includes shoulder, hip, and knee for navigation and robotic applications.

Gemtrack is a tracking technology developed by MinMaxMedical (MMM), a Grenoble-based pioneer in medtech and surgical tech. With successful product development and regulatory approvals, DePuy Synthes plans to bring first-to-market radiofrequency (RF) miniature tracker tech to joint reconstruction procedures.

The company said it aims to establish a new standard integrated image-guided and robotic-assisted joint surgery in its VELYS enabling tech portfolio.

Today’s robotics and navigation system for orthopedics mostly use infrared cameras, direct line-of-sight tracking, and invasive pins or bulky arrays attached to the patient. DePuy Synthes said RF technology could remove the need for these cameras and line-of-sight dependence, reduce reliance on invasive anchors, and allow continuous, accurate real-time tracking.

“Stéphane Lavallée and his companies have successfully collaborated with DePuy Synthes, including for the VELYS Robotic Assisted Solution for knee arthroplasty and the VELYS Active Robotic Assistance for spine,” said Namal Nawana, worldwide president of DePuy Synthes. “This new collaboration will be applied broadly to the VELYS ecosystem to reduce the reliance on line-of-sight dependent navigation and offering the potential for improved navigation precision.”

The company said additional program milestones and timing will be released as development and regulatory pathways advance.