Robotic Joint Replacement

CORI is a second-generation, handheld robotic-assisted platform used for partial and total knee replacement.

It creates a personalised 3D model of the patient’s knee during surgery. This helps the surgeon plan implant size, position, alignment, bone preparation and ligament balance.

The surgeon remains in complete control throughout the operation.

The main practical differences include:

✅ Handheld robotic instrument
✅ Image-free 3D mapping during surgery
✅ No mandatory preoperative CT scan
✅ Real-time planning and gap assessment
✅ Precision-controlled bone preparation
✅ Compact and portable platform
✅ Suitable for partial and total knee replacement

However, some other modern robotic platforms may also offer CT-free planning or similar balancing features.

In its standard image-free workflow, CORI usually does not require a CT scan or MRI for robotic planning.

The surgeon maps important points on the knee during surgery, and the system creates a real-time 3D digital model.

This avoids the additional time, cost and radiation exposure associated with a preoperative CT scan.

Routine clinical examination and appropriate knee X-rays are still required. Additional imaging may be advised when medically necessary.

During surgery, the surgeon uses a tracking pointer to register the shape and important landmarks of the patient’s knee.

The CORI software processes this information and creates a virtual 3D model of the knee.

The surgeon can then study:

✅ Bone anatomy
✅ Limb alignment
✅ Joint movement
✅ Ligament tension
✅ Implant size and position
✅ Expected gaps during bending and straightening

CORI uses a compact robotic handpiece directly controlled by the surgeon.

Some other systems use a larger robotic arm that guides or restricts the surgical instrument within a planned boundary.

Potential advantages of the CORI handheld design include:

✅ Direct surgeon control
✅ Familiar hand-controlled movement
✅ Smaller operating-room footprint
✅ Real-time adjustments during surgery
✅ Precision milling without a large robotic arm

Neither design automatically guarantees a better result. The surgeon’s planning, training and execution remain essential.

No.

CORI does not independently diagnose, plan or perform knee replacement surgery.

The surgeon:

✅ Examines the knee
✅ Selects partial or total replacement
✅ Creates and approves the surgical plan
✅ Controls the robotic handpiece
✅ Removes the damaged bone
✅ Positions and checks the implant
✅ Makes all final decisions

The robot assists the surgeon—it does not replace the surgeon.

Every knee has a different shape, alignment and ligament balance.

CORI allows the surgeon to virtually position the implant and assess the expected result before removing bone.

The surgeon can modify:

✅ Implant size
✅ Implant position
✅ Depth of bone preparation
✅ Varus–valgus alignment
✅ Flexion and extension gaps
✅ Overall ligament balance

This helps avoid a one-size-fits-all approach to knee replacement.

CORI uses a surgeon-controlled, high-speed precision milling instrument.

The robotic system continuously tracks the position of the patient’s knee and the surgical handpiece.

Bone is removed according to the approved surgical plan. This is designed to help achieve accurate bone preparation and implant positioning while preserving healthy bone whenever possible.

A successful knee replacement requires more than straight X-rays. The knee should also remain appropriately balanced throughout movement.

CORI allows the surgeon to assess the joint gaps while bending and straightening the knee.

The implant plan can then be adjusted according to:

✅ Ligament tension
✅ Knee movement
✅ Flexion gap
✅ Extension gap
✅ Patient-specific anatomy

The final balance is assessed and accepted by the surgeon.

Yes.

In robotic unicompartmental or partial knee replacement, only the arthritic compartment is resurfaced.

CORI helps the surgeon position the smaller implant accurately while preserving the healthy:

✅ Bone
✅ Cartilage
✅ Meniscus in unaffected compartments
✅ Cruciate ligaments
✅ Natural knee structures

Partial knee replacement is suitable only when arthritis is limited to the appropriate compartment and the ligaments are functioning well.

Yes.

CORI can assist with both robotic partial knee replacement and robotic total knee replacement.

Total knee replacement may be advised when arthritis affects multiple compartments or when significant deformity, stiffness or ligament problems make partial replacement unsuitable.

The decision should be based on the patient’s knee—not simply on age.

Studies of imageless handheld robotic knee replacement have demonstrated improved accuracy in achieving planned bone cuts and alignment compared with conventional instruments or navigation in certain settings.