Z-KAT, Inc. and Barrett Technology Announce Partnership To Develop The Next Generation of Medical Robotic Systems
Cambridge,
MA (November 21, 2000) – Z-KAT, Inc. a Hollywood,
Florida based computer-assisted surgery technology firm, and Barrett Technology,
Inc. a developer of innovative robotic arms and hands
announce their partnership to develop the next generation of medical robotic
systems.
Z-KAT develops image-guided software,
intelligent instrumentation, and human-interactive robotic technologies to
enable less-invasive orthopedic and neurological surgeries. Its acquisition of
Marconi's IGS assets in September 2000 furthers Z-KAT's goal of building a
‘best-in-class' suite of image-guided technologies for the modern operating
room. The Marconi acquisition greatly enhances and expands the partnership
potential for Z-KAT and Barrett in haptic robotics.
"We now have the capability to flow
x-ray, CT, MR, PET, and even endoscopic imaging through the haptic WAM....
platform, expanding its potential utility and use in the modern operation
room and radiology suite", said Z-KAT CEO Rony Abovitz. "Wide bandwidth
imaging capability coupled to the most innovative and human-interactive robotic
platform in existence today means that Z-KAT and Barrett can provide solutions
to the medical community that are driven by Moore's Law", said Barrett
Technology CEO William Townsend. "The promise of robotics to deliver on
versatility and usability has always been dependant on computing power-and that
power that is just now becoming affordably available".
"Z-KAT and Barrett share a common
philosophy: robots that work with, and do not replace, humans", said Z-KAT CEO
Rony Abovitz. "The concept of collaborative robotics is relatively new and is
one the most exciting area of the Z-KAT Barrett partnership-one in which we
foresee significant adoption by the medical community due to the removal of the
fear of robotics". William Townsend added, "Barrett's core competency in
developing the next generation of advanced robotic systems will keep both Z-KAT
and Barrett on top of what is new and
exciting in robotics". "Robots
that touch, feel, and communicate with each other across the web are all part of
where we are now and where we are heading".
About
Z-KAT
Founded in March of 1997, Z-KAT, Inc.
develops unique software, instrumentation, and human-interactive robotic
technologies to enable less-invasive orthopedic and neurological surgeries. Z-KAT's
computer-assisted surgery systems are currently being used in thousands of
surgical cases every year.
About
Barrett
Since 1988, Barrett Technology has
pioneered the core technology underlying new levels of flexibility and machine
intelligence in articulated arms and hands. Today, Barrett is the leader in
advanced robotic manipulators (Guinness Book Millennium Edition) with the
unmatched degree of versatility and usability required to support an
ever-broadening application capability.
Barrett Technology, 139 Main Street, Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA 02142. Tel: 617-252-9000 ; Fax: 617-252-9021.