Medical Technology Company Stryker has announced the successful completion of the first shoulder arthroplasty surgeries in Europe using its groundbreaking Blueprint Mixed Reality (MR) Guidance. Two eminent figures in orthopedic surgery utilized this state-of-the-art system: Professor Julien Berhouet, MD, Ph.D., at CHRU Tours Hospital in France, and Dr. Lionel Neyton, MD, at Centre Orthopédique Santy and Hôpital Privé Jean Mermoz in Lyon, France.
Professor Berhouet expressed his enthusiasm about being at the forefront of incorporating Stryker’s Mixed Reality Guidance System into surgical procedures. “It’s exciting to be one of the first two hospitals in Europe to use Stryker’s Mixed Reality Guidance System,” he said. Professor Berhouet is implementing this technology and leading a pilot study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this novel approach, collaborating with three other centers across France.
Dr. Neyton shared his positive experiences with the Blueprint Mixed Reality System, highlighting its ability to personalize surgical procedures to his patients’ specific requirements and anatomical nuances. “The Blueprint Mixed Reality System allows me to tailor my shoulder joint replacement procedures to the unique needs and anatomy of my patients,” Dr. Neyton remarked, emphasizing the technology’s patient-centric benefits.
The Blueprint Mixed Reality Guidance System, designed in partnership with a cadre of world-renowned surgeons, merges Stryker’s cutting-edge software with the Microsoft HoloLens 2 headset. This combination facilitates real-time tracking of the position and orientation of surgical instruments within the operating environment. By integrating 3D images and guidance widgets into the surgeon’s line of sight—projected directly onto the patient without disrupting the surgical workflow—this technology promises to enhance the precision and efficiency of surgical procedures.
The MR Guidance system, which received its CE mark at the end of 2023, represents a milestone in the global medical community. In December 2023, the first surgeries using this technology were performed in the U.S. and Canada. This innovation builds upon Blueprint’s decade-long presence in Europe, reflecting Stryker’s commitment to continuous innovation to benefit surgeons and patients.
Markus Ochs, vice president and general manager of Stryker’s European Trauma & Extremities division, underscored the importance of ongoing innovation. “This latest tool builds upon a decade of Blueprint’s presence in Europe, and we continue innovating to ensure the platform has the potential to further benefit surgeons and patients alike,” Ochs stated, highlighting the company’s dedication to advancing medical technology for the betterment of patient outcomes.
The successful implementation of the Blueprint Mixed Reality Guidance in Europe marks a significant advancement in surgical technology, potentially setting a new standard for shoulder arthroplasty and beyond.
To learn more about Blueprint and Mixed Reality, visit stryker.com.
