DePuy Synthes invests in next-generation surgical training

MedTech News: DePuy Synthes in Australia, the Orthopaedics business unit of Johnson & Johnson Medical Australia, and the Johnson & Johnson Institute, today launched a first-of-its-kind in Australia mobile training lab bringing next-generation training directly to surgeons and their teams around Australia.

The VELYSTM Digital Surgery Mobile Lab will provide on-site access to next-generation hands-on training, virtual reality-based operating environments, and real-time collaboration with the global surgical community, all of which is designed to equip Australian orthopaedic surgeons to be proficient with the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution, the company’s latest innovation in knee replacement surgery which was recently included on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG).

Recent research conducted in the UK revealed that accessibility to training is more important than ever with the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on more than just operative and clinical experiences in hospital settings. This heightens the need for surgical training that moves away from more traditional education models and supports a more flexible and accessible learning environment. Patients, in turn, can be confident that surgeons have had access to next-generation training to hone their skills despite the pressures of a COVID environment.

Ben Travers, Vice President of DePuy Synthes Australia said “An increasing number of surgical procedures utilise robotic assistance. It is critical to address the learning curve when adopting next-generation med tech to utilise it effectively and take advantage of its efficiencies. That’s why we’re making significant investments in next-generation training to provide comprehensive and personalised learning for the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution.”

“We’re making next-generation training easily available at a surgeon’s place of work with our ground-breaking mobile training lab and suite of solutions,” added Travers.

The VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution is the next-generation in robotic assisted surgery for knee replacement, developed to support the positioning of implants to align with each patients’ individual anatomy. The VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution incorporates a first-of-its-kind operating table mounted solution that adapts to the surgeon’s workflow and utilises advanced planning capabilities, and proprietary technology to help surgeons accurately resect bones that align and position the implant relative to the soft-tissue during total knee replacement without the need for pre-operative imaging. The compact design integrates into any operating room and does so with a smaller footprint, at less than half the size of some other robotic-assisted solutions.

The mobile training lab is part of a suite of training solutions DePuy Synthes Australia and the Johnson & Johnson Institute are providing that will blend traditional training programs with new technologies, including:

• a semi-trailer mounted mobile lab with self-contained meeting, training, and lab space with the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution;
• virtual reality operating environments where surgeons can experience virtual surgical procedures using the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution while connected with other surgeons around the world;
• life-like, 3D printed, surgical models for an enhanced surgical training experience; and
• a dedicated and personalised online learning platform.

The mobile lab will begin its tour around Australia later this month. Healthcare Professionals can experience a Virtual 3D Tour of the Mobile Lab at the upcoming Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) virtual Annual Scientific Meeting from 8 – 10 November 2021 where there will also be live video crosses to the mobile lab for VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution demonstration sessions.