India creates AI knee replacement robot

Indian medical company Meril unveiled an AI-powered robot that will facilitate knee replacement research. 

Misso’s tools will allow surgeons to cut and install prosthetics more accurately, reducing the risk of potential complications. India Times says more than 2.5 lakh or 250,000 Indians undergo knee replacement surgery annually. 

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This device may help hospitals treat more of these patients more safely than ever. Soon, other countries might adopt this technology in their healthcare facilities. 

What are the AI knee replacement robot’s features?

The official Meril page shares more details about the knee replacement robot. The company says Misso offers sub-millimeter-accurate cutting, ensures precise alignment, and shapes knee joint parts with computer-assisted navigation.

The machine customizes procedures depending on patients’ 3D CT scans. Consequently, these features make sure that the surgery installs the prosthetic knee properly to prevent infection. 

The robot also monitors the procedure, ceasing its operations in case its tools contact unrelated body parts or other objects. 

“The MISSO Robotic System is enabled with bone movement monitoring, which ensures utmost safety during the procedure,” the product page said. 

“Any contact, with the person or another object, will immediately stop the movement of the collaborative robot arm.”

“The fully automatic resection process helps minimize human errors. Moreover, this reduces human contact with the exposed surgical area.”

Meril says Misso occupies minimal space, allowing smaller healthcare facilities to use the machine. Moreover, its features reduce knee replacement planning time by roughly 83%.

Interesting Engineering says 22% to 39% of the Indian population have severe osteoarthritis. Total knee replacement (TKR) surgeries can help, but the annual need for knee replacements is seven to eight times higher than the current rate.

Meril aims to lower those costs by 66%, making them more affordable and accessible. It has subsidiaries in 35 countries, which may lead to the technology’s widespread use. 

Perhaps the Philippines may adopt this technology or similar tools for its citizens. The Osteoarthritis Research Society International Journal says roughly 4.2 million Filipinos suffer from osteoarthritis.