Fremont, California, and Warsaw, Indiana, United States, October 13, 2026
Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. and THINK Surgical, Inc. have announced a multi-year extension of their exclusive distribution and supply agreement to expand access to the TMINI® Miniature Robotic System for total knee replacement procedures. The extension follows a successful initial partnership and allows Zimmer Biomet to continue distributing an exclusive version of THINK Surgical’s wireless, handheld orthopedic robotic system designed for use with Zimmer Biomet’s Persona® Knee System. The agreement reflects both companies’ commitment to advancing robotic-assisted orthopedic surgery and providing surgeons with additional technology options for knee replacement procedures. By combining THINK Surgical’s compact robotic platform with Zimmer Biomet’s established knee implant portfolio and commercial network, the companies aim to accelerate adoption among orthopedic surgeons in the United States. The collaboration also supports the broader shift toward technology-enabled joint replacement procedures, where robotic systems can assist surgical planning and bone preparation. The companies have not disclosed the financial terms or the precise duration of the extended agreement.
Multi-Year Agreement Supports TMINI Robotic System Adoption
Under the extended agreement, Zimmer Biomet will continue distributing an exclusive version of the TMINI System that is compatible with its Persona Knee System. The TMINI platform is designed as a compact, wireless and handheld robotic solution for orthopedic surgery, offering an alternative to larger operating-room robotic systems. Its design may appeal to surgeons and healthcare facilities seeking robotic assistance while maintaining a workflow suited to their clinical environment. THINK Surgical develops robotic technologies for joint replacement, with a focus on systems that support accurate and consistent surgical execution. The extended partnership builds on the companies’ initial commercial relationship and aims to increase awareness, availability and use of the TMINI system among surgeons treating patients with advanced knee joint disease. The agreement is a distribution extension, not an announcement of a newly cleared device or a new clinical trial. Product availability and permitted use remain subject to applicable country-specific regulatory clearances and product-specific instructions for use. The extension also demonstrates the importance of commercial partnerships in bringing specialized medical technologies to hospitals and orthopedic practices.
Robotic Technology Supports Persona Knee Replacement
The TMINI Miniature Robotic System is designed to assist surgeons performing total knee arthroplasty, a procedure in which damaged joint surfaces are replaced with artificial components to reduce pain and improve function in patients with advanced knee disease. Robotic-assisted systems can support aspects of surgical planning and execution, helping surgeons position and prepare bone according to a planned procedure. The TMINI system’s wireless, handheld design differentiates it from some conventional robotic platforms that use larger robotic arms or fixed installations. Its compatibility with the Persona Knee System gives surgeons a robotic option within Zimmer Biomet’s orthopedic implant portfolio. However, robotic assistance does not replace surgical judgment, clinical training or appropriate patient selection. Outcomes depend on multiple factors, including the patient’s condition, surgical technique, rehabilitation and adherence to the device’s authorized use. THINK Surgical also develops open-platform orthopedic robots that can support implant brands from multiple manufacturers, allowing surgeons to select implants based on clinical needs and preferences. The customized TMINI solution offered through the Zimmer Biomet agreement represents a specific integration of the companies’ technologies for total knee replacement.
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Partnership Strengthens Orthopedic Robotics Portfolio
For Zimmer Biomet, the extended agreement supports its strategy of offering a broad ecosystem of robotics, digital technologies and orthopedic implants to meet the varied preferences of surgeons and healthcare providers. The company operates globally in musculoskeletal healthcare, with products and technologies intended to improve mobility and patient care. THINK Surgical, a privately held U.S.-based medical technology company, specializes in orthopedic robotic systems and continues to develop technologies for joint replacement surgery. The companies stated that the extension will help them continue supporting surgeons and patients while expanding access to the TMINI system across the United States. Zimmer Biomet’s commercial infrastructure and established relationships with orthopedic providers may help broaden market reach, while THINK Surgical contributes its expertise in robotic-assisted surgery. The collaboration highlights the role of strategic distribution agreements in expanding access to specialized medical devices without requiring the partners to merge their businesses or transfer ownership of the underlying technologies. Future adoption will depend on surgeon training, hospital purchasing decisions, product availability, reimbursement considerations and the clinical needs of individual patients.
The multi-year extension represents a continued commitment by Zimmer Biomet and THINK Surgical to robotic-assisted knee replacement technology. By maintaining distribution of the TMINI system for use with the Persona Knee System, the companies aim to offer orthopedic surgeons an additional technology option for total knee arthroplasty. The agreement reinforces ongoing investment in surgical robotics and illustrates how medical technology companies can work together to expand access to specialized orthopedic solutions.
Source: Zimmer Biomet press release
