Johnson & Johnson's VELYS™ Robot Completes First Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty in Europe

Source: MedRobot

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# Clinical Evaluation

Johnson & Johnson Medical Technologies Europe, Middle East and Africa RegionSarah Mueller, Vice President of OrthopedicsSaid: "With the increase in the number of osteoarthritis patients in Europe, surgeons urgently need solutions that can address the critical unmet needs of patients and clinicians in the partial knee sector. The combination of VELYS robotic-assisted surgery and our clinically validated SIGMA™ HP Unicompartmental Partial Knee allows for more personalized procedures, potentially drives repeatable outcomes, and improves patient results."

Orthoclinic, Bruges, BelgiumDr. Pieter-Jan Vandekerckhove"It points out: 'The clinical application of VELYS UKA stands out in terms of precision and consistency compared to traditional manual techniques. It provides accurate 3D positioning and real-time insights, supporting surgical decision-making for each patient. I am excited about this technology because it represents a significant advancement in personalized solutions.'"

# Clinical and Market Prospects of UKA Surgery

Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty (UKA), also known as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, is a treatment option for osteoarthritis patients with damage limited to a single compartment of the knee (usually the medial compartment). It preserves healthy soft tissues and bones and involves less trauma.

Compared with total knee arthroplasty (TKA), unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) generally has the following clinical and rehabilitation advantages:

• Smaller incisions, less soft tissue damage

• Preservation of the native knee ligament structure helps achieve a more natural feeling of movement.

• Shorter recovery period and less hospital stay

• Potentially reduce the incidence of perioperative complications

However, despite the aforementioned advantages, the penetration rate of UKA in global clinical practice remains limited. The main reasons include:

• The surgical technique is complex and requires a high level of experience from the surgeon.

• Small incisions lead to limited intraoperative visibility, increasing the risk of implant placement errors.

• Patients have significant individual anatomical differences, making precise bone cutting and soft tissue balance highly challenging.

In Europe, the trend of population aging is obvious, and the incidence of osteoarthritis is constantly rising.Especially for the group over 60 years old, the demand for surgical solutions that preserve joint function and shorten the recovery period is becoming increasingly urgent.At the same time, the medical system is facing dual pressures in cost control and resource utilization, prompting more efficient, repeatable, and precise surgical technologies to become a key focus of the industry. Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is considered a treatment option that balances patient benefits with economic efficiency, but its further popularization hinges on whether existing technical barriers can be addressed.

Technology Integration:The system, enhanced by features such as VELYS™ Adaptive Tracking Technology and VELYS™ Trajectory Assistance, can provide a customized surgical experience.

Product Portfolio Synergy:Used in synergy with the DePuy Synthes core Spine portfolio, including:

• TriALTIS™ Spinal System.

• Navigation Instruments: Assist in precise surgical navigation.

• SYMPHONY™ Occipito-Cervico-Thoracic (OCT) System: A surgical system specifically designed for the occipito-cervico-thoracic region.

• VIPER PRIME™ System: A surgical assistance system.

• EXPEDIUM VERSE^® System: An implant or surgical tool system。

The design of active robotic assistance overcomes the drawbacks of current products, such as rigidity and multiple limitations, focusing on flexibility and prioritizing surgical procedures; it adapts to different workflows, bridging the gap between manual and automated surgeries.

And it features an easy-to-use interface, allowing doctors to focus on the most important tasks.

# Global Layout

The global rollout of the VELYS™ system began in 2021, when it first received FDA 510(k) clearance in the United States for total knee arthroplasty (TKA). To date, the system has been deployed across 31 markets worldwide, completing over100,000 Cases of TKA Surgery.In June 2024, the VELYS system was again approved for use in the U.S. for UKA surgeries, further expanding its surgical indications.

In Europe, the VELYS system has been gradually implemented since October 2023, with TKA surgical applications successfully completed in Germany, Belgium, and Switzerland. The expansion into UKA is regarded as a significant milestone for its presence in the European market, not only enriching Johnson & Johnson's digital orthopedic surgery portfolio but also addressing the strong demand for precise and minimally invasive orthopedic technologies within the region.

In addition to the technology itself, Johnson & Johnson has launched a supporting training and support system in global markets simultaneously. For example:

• Surgical Education Programs Combining Virtual Reality and Simulation Training

• AI-Driven Personalized Surgical Planning Tools

• The World's First AI Mobile Training Lab (Initially Deployed in Australia)

These initiatives aim to accelerate doctors' mastery of new technologies and promote the faster integration of the VELYS system into daily clinical practice.