Robotic and Navigation-Assisted Knee Arthroplasty: Understanding Research Funding Allocation and Innovation Using a Modern Linked Data Network

Abstract

Background An abundance of research has been published recently regarding robotic and navigation-assisted knee arthroplasty. Dimensions is a modern-linked database that uses machine-learning and cloud-computing to aggregate grants, publications, citations, clinical trials, and patents in one place. Using Dimensions data, this study examines the evolution of knowledge and funding for robotic/navigated knee arthroplasty. Methods Dimensions was queried for publications, grants, patents, and clinical trials related to knee arthroplasty and robotics/navigation. There were no geographic or date-range restrictions. Search results were manually screened for accuracy and resulted in 2,590 publications, 23 grants, 110 patents, and 166 clinical trials beginning in 2004. 2023 inflation-adjusted US Dollars (USD) were reported. Descriptive statistics and temporal analyses were performed. Results Since 2004, approximately $260M has been allocated for robotic/navigated knee arthroplasty. Largest contributors are the International Cancer Research Partnership (ICRP) and National Institutes of Health (NIH). Most funding was granted by the United States ($3M), United Kingdom ($1.5M), and Norway ($1.3M). 2,590 publications were identified, with the majority (63%) being clinical research, 32% basic-science, and 5% combined. Top publications were found to have widespread scientific reach, with the top 5 articles having more than 300 citations. Among 110 patents filed, there was a bimodal distribution with peaks in the early 2000’s and a resurgence from 2018-2022. 132 (80%) of the clinical trials identified were interventional. Conclusion Using a modern-linked data network, we have identified that the US and UK are primary funders of robotic arthroplasty research followed by Norway. Publications and patents about robotic knee arthroplasty have risen since 2018, and 166 clinical trials have been registered. These results provide an overview of the funding and publication landscape and may serve as a basis for institutions to direct their efforts for further trials.