Medical technology company Zimmer Biomet is deploying AI to predict the post-operation recovery progress of those who have undergone hip or knee surgery.
The firm, which has recently opened a new UK HQ in Swindon, aims to offer surgeons data-driven guidance to identify patience with lagging walking speed during recovery.
WalkAI, the company’s first AI-based solution, adds predictive analytic capabilities to ZBEdge, a suite of integrated smart, digital and robotic technologies purposefully engineered to deliver data-powered clinical insights with the goal of improving patient outcomes.
WalkAI uses a proprietary algorithm to analyse a patient’s mobility to generate a personalised daily prediction of their gait (walking) speed at 90 days after surgery. The daily prediction is compared to anonymised, real-world data from the extensive ZBEdge database to identify when a patient’s recovery may not be on track based on predicted low gait speed.
“Using a proprietary Zimmer Biomet developed artificial intelligence algorithm, WalkAI is the orthopedic industry’s first and only AI-based model to create daily, personalised predictions and identify patients who may be exceptions to typical recovery curves in an effort to help surgeons mitigate or minimise poor outcomes,” said Liane Teplitsky, president of global robotics and technology & data solutions at Zimmer Biomet.
“WalkAI is built from our wealth of anonymised ZBEdge data and is the first model to demonstrate our unique capability to deliver actionable predictions by connecting real-world data and AI through ZBEdge products and experiences.”
WalkAI integrates with the mymobility care management platform, which collects patient gait data, through their mobile phone and when necessary, provides the WalkAI notification to healthcare professionals through the mymobility clinician dashboard.
“Our strategic prioritisation and investment in R&D has solidified our position as an innovator in our space with breakthrough technologies like Persona IQ , a first-to-world smart knee implant, mymobility Care Management Platform, ROSA Robotics, and now, WalkAI, the first AI-based model in orthopedics to create daily personalised outcome predictions based on a patient’s gait recovery,” added Ivan Tornos, chief operating officer, Zimmer Biomet.
“ZBEdge is realising our bold vision of an interconnected ecosystem of digital and robotic technologies by sharing data and unlocking clinical insights, which is now enhanced by artificial intelligence modelling.”
Initially, WalkAI has been rolled out globally to a select group of mymobility users and will be widely available as part of ZBEdge by the end of March 2022.
