Naton

Beijing Naton Technology Group operates as one of China’s largest orthopedic organizations, with business spanning implant manufacturing, surgical robotics, and medical services. The company manufactures joint, spine, and trauma implants across six production facilities throughout China, employing over 2,000 staff members and distributing products both domestically and internationally.

Company Overview

Naton began in 1995 as a distributor of international orthopedic brands in China, becoming the exclusive distributor of German joint company Waldemar LINK. By 2002, Naton’s market share of joint products ranked first in China. The company established DCN Hospital, a specialized orthopedic hospital, in the same year.

The transition to manufacturing started in 2007 when Naton acquired Tianjin Zhengtian Medical Instrument Co., Ltd. (IRENE brand). International expansion followed in 2008, with subsequent acquisitions of Finnish brand INION in 2010 and German spine brand BRICON (Ortho-select) in 2017. The Naton Institute of Medical Technology was established in 2011 to focus on 3D printing technology development.

The robotic surgery division operates through Beijing Naton Medical Robotics Technology Co., Ltd., established in 2019. This subsidiary holds 61 patents covering multiple surgical robot categories and has launched the Naton Orthopedic Surgical Robot Clinical Training Center at the People’s Liberation Army General Hospital.

Core Products

Knee Joint Replacement Surgery Navigation System

Naton’s knee joint navigation system received NMPA Class III certification in September 2023, becoming one of the first domestic robots approved for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). The system features human-machine collaboration and sub-millimeter tracking accuracy. Clinical studies published in peer-reviewed journals demonstrate satisfactory prosthesis positioning and knee function outcomes in UKA procedures.

Orthopedic Surgical Navigation System

Approved by NMPA in August 2024 (Registration No. 国械注准20243011427), this navigation system supports both spinal pedicle screw insertion and trauma hollow screw implantation. The system provides virtual visualization of patient bone structure and surgical tools, enabling real-time display of the relationship between instruments and anatomy. This allows procedures with smaller incisions, reduced bleeding, and lower intraoperative X-ray exposure.

NABRAI Intelligent Operating Room System

The NABRAI platform integrates multi-modal surgical data for smart hospital applications. Built on an open information platform, NABRAI Compact has been deployed for hip joint replacement surgery in mainland China. The system combines robotics and data integration to enhance surgical precision and efficiency.

Technology & Innovation

Naton’s intelligent surgery division has developed broad solutions spanning the orthopedic care pathway. The company established a laser metal 3D printing workshop producing personalized knee joint surgical guides. This system integrates CT and MRI imaging data to enhance design accuracy for patient-specific instrumentation.

The technology portfolio extends beyond surgical robots to include:

• Sports medicine surgical robot for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
• Single-condyle surgery robot
• Intelligent drug delivery nanobots (in development)
• Carbon fiber surgical tables for orthopedic procedures

Manufacturing capabilities include titanium alloy, medical polymers, ceramic, and functional materials validated to ASTM and ISO standards. The German BRICON facility, with over 30 years of history, provides precision manufacturing including components for high-accuracy scientific instruments.

Market Presence

Naton operates 19 subsidiary corporations with six manufacturing sites in China and facilities in Germany and Finland. The sales network includes over 900 clinical professional sales representatives covering domestic and international markets.

The IRENE trauma product line obtained FDA certification in 2016. Multiple facilities hold NMPA, FDA 510(k), EU CE, ISO-13485, and GMP certifications. Naton Academy, established in 2013, has supported academic exchange programs for approximately 400 orthopedic surgeons from multiple countries including Turkmenistan and Morocco.

Key Milestones

• 1995: Company founded in Beijing
• 2002: Joint products market share ranked first in China; DCN Hospital established
• 2007: Acquired Tianjin Zhengtian Medical Instrument (IRENE brand)
• 2010: Merged Finnish brand INION
• 2011: Established Naton Institute of Medical Technology
• 2016: IRENE trauma products received FDA certification
• 2017: Acquired German spine brand BRICON
• 2019: Beijing Naton Medical Robotics Technology Co., Ltd. established
• 2023: Knee joint navigation system received NMPA approval
• 2024: Orthopedic surgical navigation system received NMPA approval

Frequently Asked Questions

What surgical robot products does Naton offer?

Naton offers NMPA-approved knee joint replacement navigation systems for unicompartmental arthroplasty and orthopedic surgical navigation systems for spine and trauma surgery. The company also developed the NABRAI intelligent operating room platform and is expanding into sports medicine robotics.

Is Naton Medical publicly traded?

No, Beijing Naton Technology Group is a privately held company. The group operates through multiple subsidiaries across China, Germany, and Finland but has not completed a public listing.

What regulatory certifications do Naton products hold?

Naton’s surgical navigation products hold NMPA Class III certifications in China. The company’s implant products have obtained FDA 510(k) clearance, EU CE marking, and ISO-13485 certification across various subsidiaries. The IRENE trauma line received FDA certification in 2016.