THINK Surgical adds LINK to compatible implant modules for its TMINI surgical robot

Listen to this article

The TMINI surgical robot features a wireless handpiece that assists surgeons in performing total knee replacements. | Source: THINK Surgical

THINK Surgical Inc., a developer of orthopedical surgical robots, today announced a new collaboration agreement with Waldemar Link GmbH, or LINK. THINK Surgical plans to add LINK’s LinkSymphoKnee System for joint replacement to its ID-HUB data bank of implant modules for use with its TMINI Miniature Robotic System. 

Unlike other developers of robots for orthopedic surgery, THINK said it’s committed to providing an open platform that support implants from multiple manufacturers. This latest addition will further enhance the options available to surgeons using the TMINI system for more personalized and precise surgical outcomes, said the Fremont, Calif.-based company.

“LINK has a long history of innovative product development and embracing cutting-edge technologies,” said Stuart Simpson, president and CEO of THINK Surgical, in a release. “We are excited about this new collaboration with LINK that will enable even more choice for customers and patients in the U.S.” 

LINK to make surgical system more accessible

The TMINI system includes a wireless robotic handpiece to assist surgeons in performing total knee replacements. The robotic system follows a CT-based three-dimensional surgical plan, explained THINK Surgical.

When in use, the TMINI robotic handpiece automatically compensates for surgeon hand movements to locate bone pins along precisely defined planes. The system then connects cutting guides to the bone pins for accurate bone resection. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted the system 510(k) clearance in April 2023. LINK said adding the LinkSymphoKnee System to its ID HUB database will allow U.S. customers to access robotic-assisted technology for knee replacements. 

“We are pleased to partner with another industry leader like THINK Surgical to showcase this cutting-edge technology,” stated Peter Willenborg, CEO of LINK. “Handheld technology represents the next evolutionary leap in robotic surgery, particularly for new users and outpatient surgery centers.”

“This partnership underscores our commitment to offering the most innovative solutions to the market,” he added. “The integration of THINK Surgical’s advanced robotic technology with LINK’s state-of-the-art TKA system, LinkSymphoKnee, further enhances patient care.”

THINK expands compatible implants for TMINI 

THINK said it has already started developing the implant module for the LinkSymphoKnee system. The company is poised to seek FDA clearance in the coming months for the use of the TMINI System with the system. 

The company says that its collaboration with THINK Surgical aligns with LINK’s commitment to offering the most innovative systems on the market.

THINK’s Implant Data Hub, or ID-HUB, is a proprietary data bank of partner implants. The company says this opens up access and options for surgeons when it comes to using TMINI. In the long term, THINK says the system will allow surgeons to readily connect their choice of implants to its robotic operating system. 

In October 2023, THINK received FDA clearance to use TMINI with three additional implant manufacturers. These include the Klassic Knee System from Total Joint Orthopedics Inc., the Balanced Knee System (BKS) and BKS TriMax Knee System from Ortho Development Corp., and the U2 Knee from United Orthopedic Corp. 

Learn from Agility Robotics, Amazon, Disney, Teradyne and many more.