Swiss Engineering for Surgical Perfection

ZURICH, May 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –

The new arthroscopy simulator ArthroS trains orthopedic surgeons for real patients -
with a unique setup

The Swiss company VirtaMed AG is launching ArthroS(TM), a new virtual reality training
simulator for knee arthroscopy. Surgeons get the chance to practice different operations
numerous times before actually performing them on live patients – just as pilots improve
their skills on flight simulators. ArthroS(TM) is the first surgical simulator worldwide
to combine the best traditional training model with virtual reality benefits.

ArthroS enters the market: The new virtual reality simulator offers surgeons training
in knee arthroscopy. This is a common surgical procedure where doctors view the inside of
the knee using a small camera to diagnose and treat knee problems. According to the
American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, more than 4 million knee arthroscopies
are performed worldwide each year.

Swiss engineers advance surgical skills

Technical advances have revolutionized treatment of knee lesions. High definition
monitors, high resolution cameras, and now high fidelity simulation. After two years of
joint-development with University Zurich’s Balgrist Hospital and ETH Zurich, VirtaMed
launches ArthroS globally. The new RealSense[TM] platform combines the best of two worlds:
The realistic sensation of a traditional knee model with the flexibility of virtual
reality. The simulator offers different training scenarios such as diagnostic tours inside
the knee, meniscus repair, arthrosis treatment or loose body removal.

Same surgical instruments as in the operation room

Resident surgeons use the original instruments they are familiar with from everyday
use. Sensors make the use and handling feel exactly the same as in the operation room.

“The knee arthroscopy simulator we developed together with VirtaMed is a very powerful
and important tool in surgical education,” says Peter Koch, Head of Knee Surgery at
University of Zurich, Balgrist Hospital. “Young Residents can learn and improve their
skills before they really start operating on patients.”

Presence and future: More training scenarios to come

ArthroS is right now being presented at the Annual Meeting of the Arthroscopy
Association of North America (AANA) in Orlando, USA (booth 105) and will be presented at
the Annual Meeting of the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) in
Baltimore, USA, July 12 – 14 (booth 723). ArthroS is the third product in the portfolio of
VirtaMed. The platform is expandable and will support more arthroscopic procedures soon.
The next big step is shoulder arthroscopy which will be available for training within six
months.

Interesting Links:

http://www.virtamed.com/products/arthros

http://www.youtube.com/user/VirtaMed

http://www.facebook.com/VirtaMed

VirtaMed AG

VirtaMed is a Swiss company with an interdisciplinary background in medicine and
engineering. Our mission: Develop state-of-the-art training tools for endoscopic surgery
of highest possible realism, with the ultimate goal to improve the quality of patient
care.

VirtaMed’s virtual reality simulators provide training of different diagnostic and
therapeutic endoscopic interventions. Many teaching institutions and medical device
companies use VirtaMed’s simulators globally for education and hands-on training.

        Contact
        Asta Breitenmoser
        Marketing Manager
        breitenmoser@virtamed.com
        Tel: +41-44-500-96-91
        Mobile: +41-78-943-9691

        VirtaMed AG - Badenerstr. 141 - 8004 Zurich, Switzerland - http://www.virtamed.com

SOURCE VirtaMed AG