The World's First 50+ Cases with the Exclusive Version of THINK Surgical’s TMINI Handheld Robotic Knee System Paired with Zimmer Biomet’s Persona® Knee Implants Performed at Washington Hospital in Fremont, CA
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Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Alexander Sah, medical co-director of the Institute for Joint Restoration & Research and medical director of Outpatient Arthroplasty Program at Washington Outpatient Surgery Center, and the Washington Hospital team have successfully performed the world's first 50 knee replacement surgeries with the THINK Surgical TMINI® Miniature Robotic System paired with the Zimmer Biomet Persona® Knee implant portfolio at Washington Hospital Healthcare System in Fremont, CA. This milestone procedure represents a significant advancement in orthopedic surgery, merging the advanced first-of-its-kind handheld robotic technology of Fremont-based THINK Surgical and the leading knee implant platform from Zimmer Biomet, one of the largest medtech companies globally.
Dr. Alexander Sah is a Fremont native—born at Washington Hospital—whose roots in the Healthcare System run deep. His father, Dr. Benn Sah, was an ears, nose and throat specialist at Washington Hospital for more than 40 years. He served as chief of the medical staff and later, as a member of the Hospital board of directors. Dr. Sah’s mother was also dedicated to the WHHS community, serving as a hospital volunteer for more than four decades.
Dr. Sah has become one of the most prominent figures in hip and knee replacement surgery. According to AcuityMD, he has performed more joint replacements than any other surgeon in California over the past 12 months. One year ago, he made headlines by becoming the first surgeon in the world to utilize THINK’s handheld robotic knee replacement technology. This year, Zimmer Biomet, in collaboration with THINK Surgical, selected him to perform the first-ever Zimmer Persona knee replacement surgery on the THINK platform. This historic procedure was recently successfully completed at Washington Hospital, and Dr. Sah remains the only surgeon currently performing it. This advanced technology will soon roll out across the U.S.
Dr. Sah's expertise has gained national attention, with surgeons throughout the world expressing interest in the partnership between a global leader like Zimmer Biomet and a cutting-edge robotic system developed locally in Fremont. He also plays a key role in educating surgeons adopting this new technology, as Washington Hospital IJRR is now a teaching center for the THINK platform.
"We are excited to be the global forerunner of this innovative approach to knee replacement," said Dr. Sah. "The exclusive combination of the handheld TMINI Robotic System and the Zimmer Biomet Persona Knee implants allow us to provide more personalized and more precise surgical solutions for our patients, with the goal of maximally improving their recovery and quality of life."
"This is a proud moment for our Healthcare System and the community we serve," said Kimberly Hartz, CEO of Washington Hospital Healthcare System. "The introduction of this advanced robotic technology offers patients another option for state-of-the-art care close to home. The technology elevates the level of orthopedic services we offer and also reaffirms our commitment to delivering exceptional health care to our community."
The TMINI System is a unique handheld, wireless robot that surgeons use to optimize precision and accuracy during knee replacement surgery and to help patients achieve restored mobility. Utilizing CT scans of the patient's knee, the system creates a unique and detailed 3D model specifically tailored to the individual. This model is then employed by the TMINI System to perform a robotic-assisted and soft tissue balanced total knee procedure under the complete control of the surgeon, ensuring precision at every stage.
THINK Surgical, Inc. Fremont, CA, is an innovator in the field of orthopedic surgical robots, recently announced that its TMINI Miniature Robotic System has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use with the Persona® The Personalized Knee System® from Zimmer Biomet. The availability of the Persona Knee System on an exclusive version of the TMINI System is a major milestone for THINK Surgical, making it the only company offering a robotic system that provides both an implant-exclusive option with the Persona Knee System and an open implant platform for use with implants from multiple manufacturers for total knee replacement.
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About Alexander Sah, MD
Alexander Sah, MD currently serves as the medical co-director of the Institute for Joint Restoration and Research at Washington Hospital Healthcare System, and medical director of the Outpatient Arthroplasty Program at Washington Outpatient Surgery Center in Fremont, CA. He earned his medical degree, graduating Magna Cum Laude, from Thomas Jefferson Medical College in PA. He then went on to complete his residency at the Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Program and then a joint reconstruction fellowship at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Sah is a member of leadership committees for the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the California Orthopedic Association, and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. In 2016, he was selected as 1 of 10 orthopedic surgeons in the nation to the prestigious AAOS Leadership Fellows Program. He is a multi-year recipient of the “Best of San Francisco” and “Best of Silicon Valley” Orthopedic Surgeon Awards and named a California Top 10 Orthopedic Surgeon, among many other honors. He also serves as a reviewer for Clinical Orthopedics and Related Research and an editor for Techniques in Orthopaedics. Dr. Sah is widely published and is an esteemed speaker, having presented at more than 50 meetings and conventions across the United States.
About Washington Township Health Care District
Washington Township Health Care District is governed by a publically elected board and includes Washington Hospital Healthcare System. Unlike a municipal or county hospital, Washington Hospital’s operating expenses, research, community programs, and employee salaries are funded by revenues generated through providing patient and other health care services. Opened in 1958, Washington Hospital Healthcare System has grown to include a 415-bed, acutecare hospital; the Bell Neuroscience Institute of Silicon Valley; UCSF-Washington Cancer Center; Washington Outpatient Surgery Center; Washington Outpatient Rehabilitation Center; Institute for Joint Restoration and Research; Washington Township Medical Foundation; and Washington West, a complex which houses UCSF-Washington Cancer Center, Washington Women’s Center, Outpatient Imaging Center, Sandy Amos RN Infusion Center and additional outpatient hospital services and administrative facilities. Discover more at whhs.com, and through Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Instagram.
About THINK Surgical, Inc.
THINK Surgical, Inc., is a privately held U.S.-based technology innovator that develops and markets orthopedic robots. THINK Surgical robots are open platforms providing support for implant brands from multiple manufacturers, enabling the choice of implant to be driven by the surgeon.
THINK Surgical actively collaborates with healthcare professionals around the globe to refine our orthopedic products, improving the lives of those suffering from advanced joint disease with precise, accurate, and intelligent technology.
Please refer to the instructions for use for the TMINI Miniature Robotic System for a complete list of indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions. For additional product information, please visit www.thinksurgical.com.
THINK Surgical, TMINI and TMINI Pro are trademarks of THINK Surgical, Inc.
About Zimmer Biomet
Zimmer Biomet is a global medical technology leader with a comprehensive portfolio designed to maximize mobility and improve health. We seamlessly transform the patient experience through our innovative products and suite of integrated digital and robotic technologies that leverage data, data analytics and artificial intelligence.
With 90+ years of trusted leadership and proven expertise, Zimmer Biomet is positioned to deliver the highest quality solutions to patients and providers. Our legacy continues to come to life today through our progressive culture of evolution and innovation.
For more information about our product portfolio, our operations in 25+ countries and sales in 100+ countries or about joining our team, visit www.zimmerbiomet.com or follow on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/zimmerbiomet or X / Twitter at www.twitter.com/zimmerbiomet.
About AcuityMD
AcuityMD is a leading technology partner to the commercial medical technology (MedTech) industry. Thousands of sales and marketing professionals use AcuityMD’s intelligence platform to identify target markets, surface top opportunities, and grow their business. With customers ranging from pre-commercial to enterprise, AcuityMD is committed to delivering rich, high-quality insights in actionable ways to accelerate the adoption of medical technology. Its platform is currently used by six of the top 10 MedTech companies and has resulted in more than 25% sales growth for top active sales reps and over $13 billion in opportunity pipeline.