DePuy Synthes Agrees to Buy Rights to Gemtrack Radiofrequency Tracking Technology

DePuy Synthes, Johnson & Johnson's orthopaedics business, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire selective rights to develop, manufacture and commercialize Gemtrack, a radiofrequency (RF) tracking technology for joint surgery, the company said on May 26. Gemtrack was developed by MinMaxMedical, a medtech company based in Grenoble, France.

The rights cover DePuy Synthes' joints portfolio, including shoulder, hip and knee, for both navigation and robotic applications. DePuy Synthes is buying the technology for an undisclosed amount, MedTech Dive reported. The release notes that the agreement is between SCAP Hologram, Kyniska Robotics, MinMaxMedical and DePuy Ireland Unlimited Company.

Tracking without cameras

Most current robotics and navigation systems in orthopaedics rely on infrared cameras, direct line-of-sight tracking and invasive pins or bulky arrays attached to the patient, DePuy Synthes said. It said RF tracking has the potential to remove the need for infrared cameras and line of sight, reduce reliance on invasive anchors and allow continuous real-time tracking.

Pending successful product development and regulatory approvals, the company aims to be first to market with RF miniature tracker technology across joint reconstruction procedures, as part of its VELYS enabling technology portfolio. "Further program milestones and timing will be announced as development and regulatory pathways progress," the release said.

"This new collaboration will be applied broadly to the VELYS ecosystem to reduce the reliance on line-of-sight dependent navigation and offering the potential for improved navigation precision," said Namal Nawana, worldwide president of DePuy Synthes.

A repeat partner

Nawana said Stéphane Lavallée and his companies have worked with DePuy Synthes before, including on the VELYS Robotic Assisted Solution for knee arthroplasty and the VELYS Active Robotic Assistance for spine.

MedTech Dive described Lavallée as MinMaxMedical's founder and said the deal is the latest in a series of agreements between DePuy Synthes and organizations associated with him. DePuy Synthes bought Orthotaxy, a robotic-assisted surgery startup Lavallée founded, in 2018, and another Lavallée-founded company, eCential Robotics, worked with J&J to develop the VELYS Spine robot and navigation platform, the publication reported.

The deal also comes as DePuy Synthes prepares to separate from J&J, which shared plans in October 2025 to spin out its orthopaedics business, according to MedTech Dive.