VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution Gets Green Light

Introduction to VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution

Johnson & Johnson MedTech has announced FDA clearance for the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution in Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty (UKA), a groundbreaking approach designed to enhance partial knee replacement procedures. This innovation builds on the successful implementation of VELYS™ in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), which has been used in over 55,000 surgeries worldwide.

Advantages of the UKA Approach

UKA, often referred to as partial knee replacement, offers significant benefits over total knee replacement (TKA). These include bone preservation and shorter recovery periods. Johnson & Johnson’s VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution aims to bring these advantages to more patients by making the procedure more accurate and less complicated for surgeons.

Despite these benefits, UKA is currently underutilized due to surgical complexities, such as smaller incisions and limited visibility. VELYS™ aims to address these challenges by assisting surgeons with precise implant placement without the need for a CT scan.

Technological Integration

The VELYS™ system integrates seamlessly with the SIGMA™ HP Partial Knee Implant, known for its improved 12-year survivorship compared to other implants. Additionally, the system utilizes new reusable INTUITION™ instruments to enhance surgical precision and efficiency.

This robotic-assisted solution is designed for both medial and lateral UKA procedures, allowing surgeons to guide implants more accurately and predict joint stability, thus working towards restoring a patient's knee function.

Broader Impacts on Healthcare

Robotic-assisted surgeries such as those enabled by VELYS™ hold the potential to significantly improve clinical outcomes. These systems provide surgeons with vital intra-operative insights, leading to more accurate implant alignment and more consistent surgical results.

According to Dr. John Redmond, a renowned orthopedic surgeon, one of the major challenges in UKA is achieving precise alignment and optimal implant placement. The VELYS™ system is designed to overcome these hurdles, offering real-time data to guide surgical decisions.

Real-World Applications

The VELYS™ system will be showcased at the upcoming Annual Meeting of the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Commercial availability details will be announced soon, but its introduction is highly anticipated in both hospital settings and ambulatory surgery centers due to its compact design and image-free technology.

Johnson & Johnson MedTech aims to continue driving innovation with a focus on improving patient-specific outcomes and enhancing the efficiency of healthcare services.

About Johnson & Johnson MedTech and DePuy Synthes

Johnson & Johnson MedTech has a long-standing history of addressing unmet medical needs through technological advancements. DePuy Synthes, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, offers a comprehensive portfolio of orthopedic solutions designed to restore movement and improve the quality of life for patients.

The company continues to push the boundaries of medical technology, incorporating digital solutions to enhance patient care and offer significant economic value to healthcare providers.