SMH deploys mini robots for knee replacement surgeries

Ten hand-held wireless robots are assisting in knee replacement surgeries at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, which has deployed the TMINI Miniature Robotic System.

Developed by Think Surgical in partnership with Zimmer Biomet, TMINI is a next-generation robotic tool that provides the precision of robotic-assisted surgery into a compact instrument that easily integrates into a surgeon’s normal workflow. 

Shaped like a traditional power tool used in knee surgery, TMINI leverages robotic technology and pre-operative CT scans to guide accurate bone preparation and implant placement during total knee arthroplasty.

Orthopedic surgeons Sean Dingle and Edward Stolarski began using the TMINI in select knee replacement cases this week, with additional surgeons set to follow in the coming months.

“The beauty of TMINI lies in its simplicity and ease of integration,” said Associate Chief Nursing Officer David Patterson in a news release. “It provides the accuracy of robotic technology without introducing the complexity and space requirements of a traditional robotic platform.”

Cleared for use by the FDA in 2023, the TMINI system continues to evolve in both capability and compatibility, according to the release. The model in use at SMH is the latest version, approved in 2024 for exclusive integration with Zimmer Biomet’s Persona Knee System.

The adoption of TMINI at SMH complements the hospital’s existing use of Zimmer Biomet’s ROSA robotic platform, reinforcing its full spectrum of digital and robotic solutions for joint replacement.