RobPath THA Hip Replacement Navigation System

Developed by Lancet Robotics, the RobPath THA (Total Hip Arthroplasty) Navigation and Positioning System became the first Chinese-developed hip replacement surgical navigation product to achieve simultaneous NMPA and FDA certification upon its approval in August 2023. The system addresses the growing demand for precision joint replacement surgery in China’s aging population.

Product Overview

The RobPath THA system integrates preoperative planning software, an optical positioning system, robotic arm control, and real-time navigation capabilities into a unified surgical workflow. Designed to assist orthopedic surgeons in hip replacement procedures, the system aims to improve surgical outcomes while reducing radiation exposure compared to conventional fluoroscopy-guided techniques.

The product emerged from Lancet Robotics’ founding focus on orthopedic digitization, representing the culmination of five years of development and clinical validation. First human clinical trials were conducted at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital under the direction of Professor Jiang Qing, demonstrating successful bilateral hip replacement with postoperative measurements matching preoperative planning parameters.

Key Features

Approved in China and the United States in August 2023, RobPath THA delivers sub-millimeter hip replacement navigation with 360-degree bone geometry acquisition and real-time optical tracking.

Sub-Millimeter Positioning Accuracy: The system achieves positioning errors below 1mm, compared to approximately 10mm achievable through conventional manual techniques. This precision enables more accurate acetabular grinding, femoral osteotomy, and prosthesis installation.

360-Degree Bone Structure Acquisition: The preoperative planning module captures full three-dimensional bone geometry, enabling personalized surgical approach planning tailored to individual patient anatomy.

Real-Time Intraoperative Navigation: Optical tracking maintains continuous awareness of instrument and implant positions throughout the procedure, providing visual guidance to the surgical team.

Safety Boundary Control: The system implements protective algorithms that constrain robotic movements within predetermined safe zones, reducing risk of inadvertent tissue damage.

Reduced Radiation Exposure: By minimizing reliance on intraoperative fluoroscopy, the system decreases X-ray exposure for both surgical staff and patients.

Technical Specifications

Approved simultaneously by NMPA and FDA in 2023, RobPath THA achieves positioning accuracy below 1 mm using optical navigation with integrated 3D preoperative planning and safety boundary control.

Clinical Applications

The RobPath THA system supports total hip arthroplasty procedures for various indications:

• Femoral head necrosis: Addressing bone tissue death requiring joint replacement
• Femoral neck fractures: Managing fractures in elderly patients requiring arthroplasty
• Hip osteoarthritis: Treating degenerative joint disease unresponsive to conservative management
• Hip dysplasia: Correcting developmental abnormalities through precise implant positioning

Clinical outcomes from initial deployments demonstrated accurate restoration of leg length and femoral offset parameters, with patients achieving early mobilization within 24 hours post-surgery.

Regulatory Status

The dual NMPA-FDA certification positions RobPath THA as a milestone product in Chinese surgical robotics, demonstrating capability to meet both domestic and international regulatory standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What surgeries can RobPath THA perform?

RobPath THA is specifically designed for total hip arthroplasty (hip replacement) surgery. It assists surgeons with acetabular cup positioning, femoral stem alignment, and overall implant placement accuracy. The system does not perform autonomous surgery but provides navigation guidance for surgeon-controlled procedures.

How does RobPath THA compare to imported hip surgery robots?

According to Lancet Robotics, the RobPath system achieves positioning accuracy comparable to or exceeding some imported alternatives while offering pricing approximately half that of foreign competitors. The product is the first Chinese hip navigation system to obtain both NMPA and FDA certifications.

What hospitals use RobPath THA?

The system has been deployed at multiple Chinese hospitals including Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, and hospitals in Hebei, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces. International installations span South America, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe.