KUNWU Orthopedic Surgical Robot

KUNWU® represents the world’s first orthopedic surgical robot integrating five distinct surgical applications on a single platform. Developed by Yuanhua Orthopaedic Robotics, this system has completed over 5,000 clinical procedures across more than 100 hospitals in China since receiving its initial NMPA approval in April 2022.

Product Overview

The KUNWU® Robotic Surgical System addresses a fundamental limitation in the orthopedic robot market: the need for separate devices for different procedures. By combining total knee arthroplasty (TKA), total hip arthroplasty (THA), unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), spine surgery, and trauma surgery capabilities, KUNWU® enables hospitals to serve multiple orthopedic subspecialties with a single capital investment.

The system achieved regulatory milestones progressively: TKA approval in April 2022, THA in March 2023, UKA in July 2024, and spine/trauma indications in 2025. This made KUNWU® China’s first orthopedic robot to receive NMPA’s Innovative Medical Device “Green Path” designation for hip-knee-unicompartmental three-in-one capability, later expanding to the world’s first five-in-one configuration.

Key Features

Five-in-One Platform: Switching between indications requires only changing end-effector tools, eliminating the need for separate systems for joint replacement, spine, and trauma procedures.

Complete Vertical Integration: Yuanhua Tech independently develops all core components including navigation systems, robotic arms, and AI algorithms—the only Chinese company with this capability in orthopedic robotics.

Open Platform Architecture: Compatible with multiple implant brands, imaging equipment manufacturers, pressure sensors, and prosthesis types, enhancing clinical flexibility and reducing vendor lock-in.

AI-Driven Planning: Proprietary deep-learning software enables rapid preoperative modeling and customized surgical planning based on patient-specific anatomy.

Technical Specifications

Deployed in over 100 hospitals with 5,000+ procedures completed, KUNWU® delivers 7-DOF robotic guidance at 0.1mm-level positioning accuracy and 335 Hz navigation refresh across TKA, THA, UKA, spine, and trauma indications.

Clinical Applications

Joint Replacement Surgery

For total knee arthroplasty, KUNWU® enables intraoperative assessment of cartilage thickness and supports both measured resection and gap balancing techniques. A single calibration allows six-surface osteotomy to sub-millimeter accuracy without traditional cutting guides.

In total hip arthroplasty, the system supports multiple surgical approaches including posterior-lateral and direct anterior, with precise positioning for acetabular reaming, cup placement angle, and prosthesis orientation.

Spine and Trauma Surgery

The spine module provides navigation-guided pedicle screw placement across cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral segments. The trauma application supports pelvis, acetabulum, and extremity fracture fixation with real-time navigation.

Clinical Outcomes

Multicenter randomized controlled trials conducted at PLA General Hospital First Medical Center and West China Hospital demonstrated KUNWU®’s advantages in limb alignment restoration and prosthesis placement accuracy compared to manual surgical techniques. Clinical data shows a 50% reduction in postoperative inflammation rates and decreased radiation exposure for surgical teams.

Regulatory Status

The system received NMPA Innovative Medical Device designation through the “Green Path” special approval process in November 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

What surgeries can KUNWU® perform?

KUNWU® supports five types of orthopedic procedures: total knee arthroplasty (TKA), total hip arthroplasty (THA), unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), spine surgery (pedicle screw placement), and trauma surgery (fracture fixation navigation).

How does KUNWU® compare to imported orthopedic robots?

KUNWU® is the world’s first five-in-one orthopedic robot, while competitors like Stryker MAKO and Zimmer ROSA focus on specific indications. Yuanhua Tech’s complete in-house component development also differentiates the platform from systems using third-party navigation or robotic arms.

Which hospitals use KUNWU® in China?

The system is deployed at over 100 hospitals including PLA General Hospital, West China Hospital, Ruijin Hospital, and Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong. Yuanhua Tech has established seven clinical centers and partnerships with 17 Fudan-ranked hospitals.