DePuy Synthes Opens Australia Training Lab for VELYS Surgical Robot

DePuy Synthes in Australia, and the Johnson & Johnson Institute launched a first-of-its-kind in Australia mobile training lab bringing next-generation training directly to surgeons and their teams around Australia.
 
The VELYS 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 orthopedic surgeons to be proficient with the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution, the company’s latest innovation in knee replacement surgery.
 
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.¹ This heightens the need for surgical training that moves away from more traditional education models and supports a more flexible and accessible learning environment.¹ 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, VP of DePuy Synthes Australia, Johnson & Johnson Medical Pty Ltd., said: “An increasing number of surgical procedures utilize robotic assistance.² It is critical to address the learning curve when adopting next-generation med tech to utilize it effectively and take advantage of its efficiencies.³ That’s why we’re making significant investments in next-generation training to provide comprehensive and personalized learning for the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution.”
 
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 personalized online learning platform.

 
“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 utilizes 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.^4,5
 
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’s 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.
 
VELYS Robotic Assisted Solution is one of the solutions within the broader DePuy Synthes’ VELYS Digital Surgery platform of technologies designed to enable greater insights for real-time decision-making, increased precision and consistency, and a more personalized care experience, with the goal of enhancing efficiencies and improving patient outcomes.
 
References
¹ C. Hope, J.-J. Reilly, G. Griffiths, J. Lund & D. Humes. The impact of COVID-19 on surgical training: a systematic review. 2021. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10151-020-02404-5 . Accessed 25 August 2021.
² Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry (AOANJRR). Hip, Knee & Shoulder Arthroplasty: 2020 Annual Report, AOA, Adelaide; 2020: 1-474. [Accessed 9 July 2021 from https://aoanjrr.sahmri.com/annual-reports-2020].
³ P Sousa et. al. 2020. Robots in the operating room during hip and knee arthroplasty. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. Accessed: 8 July 2021. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7251009/
⁴ RIO Technical User Guide (February 24, 2021). Internal Report 103732371. (As cited in The VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution versus Mako A comparison of system compactness)
⁵ VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution Operation Dimension (February 24, 2021). Internal Report 103486302. (As cited in The VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution versus Mako A comparison of system compactness)