Sulzer Medica Receives Rights for Surgical System

Sulzer Medica (Winterthur, Switzerland) has obtained the distribution rights to the Navitrack Computer-Assisted Surgery System, which is manufactured by Orthosoft Inc. (Outremor, Canada).

The system, designed by an orthopedic surgeon, uses anatomically specific software and a computer to display positions and planned trajectories of instruments and implants. Applications include spine implants, total hip replacement, total knee replacement, and anterior and posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Benjamin Krela, CEO of Orthosoft, said that "computer-assisted surgery represents the future of how orthopedics will be practiced."

Sulzer has also acquired a minority interest in Orthosoft, which is projected to be worth $200 million by 2001.

Sulzer Medica is focused on the development on implantable medical devices and biological materials for the orthopedic and cardiovascular markets.