Spine robots continue to innovate with new systems launching in 2024 and more on the horizon.
Four surgeons discuss how the technology will look in the near future.
Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity.
Question: With medtech companies such as Stryker planning new launches, how do you predict the spine robot landscape will evolve in the next five years?
Harel Deutsch, MD. Rush Spine Center (Chicago): The robotic landscape continues to evolve. I'm not sure what the business plan is for robotics currently, so I think further development will involve increasing ease of use and affordability of the devices.
Brian Fiani, DO. Spine surgeon. (Birmingham, Mich.): The spine robot landscape is likely to see significant evolution over the next five years, driven by advancements in technology and increased demand for minimally invasive surgical solutions. Companies like Stryker are focusing on enhancing surgical precision and outcomes through robotic assistance. We can expect greater integration of AI and machine learning to improve real-time decision-making during procedures. Additionally, as more clinical evidence supports the efficacy of robotic-assisted spine surgery, we may see broader adoption among hospitals and surgical centers. Collaborations between medtech companies and healthcare providers could also lead to innovative training programs for surgeons, further propelling the growth of this niche.
Vladimir Sinkov, MD. Sinkov Spine. (Las Vegas): Robotic-assisted spine surgery makes it easier to perform minimally invasive spine procedures, especially fusions with instrumentation. MIS spine surgeries have been shown to be safer with less pain and quicker recovery than traditional open surgery. I believe that the robotic-assisted spine surgery landscape will continue to expand in the next five years. The technology will continue to improve and become more user-friendly and efficient. More competition in the field will likely mean lower prices and higher adoption rates by spine surgeons.
Christian Zimmerman, MD. St. Alphonsus Medical Group and SAHS Neuroscience Institute (Boise, Idaho): When the only constant is change, it's important to anticipate and adapt. Let's proceed. Healthcare is, at its core, human-centered. Both patients and surgical providers are utilizing/discovering that artificial intelligence is becoming more present in all aspects of health delivery and spinal surgery. Whether it’s navigating large swaths of data, diagnosing ailments or applying and conducting complex spinal interventions, the patients/provider field has benefited greatly from the rapidly evolving technological landscape of advanced informational collation. This past year alone has seen exponential growth in machine learning and AI and its applicability to medicine; spinal surgery is no exception. We should expect the rate of scientific advancements to continue increasing over the next couple of years as comfort levels with these technological aids become comfortable in the hands of old and new surgeons alike.