Orthopedic supply chain professionals are forced to execute with extreme flexibility and resiliency as they respond to forecast changes, product shortages, capacity limitations and logistic hurdles. This session covers the broad overview of artificial intelligence (AI) and its evolution and new set of applications.

AI can offer teams greater agility by accurately streamlining processes and providing data-driven insight for problematic decisions. Specifically, sourcing, procurement, operations and supply chain functions can apply AI for supplier evaluation and negotiation preparation to dynamic supply chain simulation and optimization.

The session will leverage use cases of AI in medtech and other industries to demonstrate how AI can create value and help companies develop a strategic advantage in the orthopedic market.

Surgical robots, navigation and augmented reality help surgeons perform procedures with increased precision and control. Advanced imaging, handheld navigation devices and smart implants provide enhanced diagnosis and monitoring tools to make more informed decisions pre-, intra- and post-operatively.

Digital ecosystems allow for the processing and interpreting of vast amounts of data, supporting research and development efforts in orthopedic device design.

In this session, a surgeon visionary will share his thoughts on emerging enabling and digital technology trends that will make platforms more effective, accessible and accepted in practice, and forecast what the next generation of technology should include.

Orthopedic implant development is rooted in historical achievements, from advancements in materials, x-ray technology and inventions like fracture plating and interbody cages. Until the advent of additive manufacturing, most product form factors had only slightly changed over the past 60 years.

A boom of 3D-printed cages, screws, guides and plates has now flooded the scene, but the question must be asked: to what extent does additive manufacturing improve outcomes? What constitutes a design worth printing? What relevant design inspiration can be taken from biological forms, and does it matter?

This session will delve into these questions and help communicate advanced composition techniques using computational design tools that will assist engineers and other development professionals in their journey to advance the next generation of orthopedic implants.

Not long ago, a medical device was generally considered “done” when it reached the market. While the product pipeline might have included incremental updates, the device already on the market was basically fixed in terms of its safety, effectiveness and value. Today, that approach to the medical device lifecycle is fast becoming retro. Orthopedic companies that incorporate software, connectivity and artificial intelligence into their products will be able to enhance their devices and outpace their competition.

Join this discussion to explore how and why software and AI will advance in orthopedics and the steps product development, regulatory and quality professionals should take today to stay ahead of the curve. Attendees will take away the following lessons: a framework for thinking about the value that AI can bring to medical devices; examples of case studies illustrating that value; one or two questions to ask about your firm’s device pipeline and how AI-enable might (or might not) have a role to play in it.