Robotic system offers a step change in knee surgery at Sydney Adventist Hospital

Sydney Adventist Hospital has taken delivery of two Velys Orthopaedic Surgical Robots. 

Developed by DePuy Synthes, the Velys Robotic-Assisted solution is the first-of-its-kind operating table mounted system that adapts to the surgeon’s workflow. Utilising advanced planning capabilities, proprietary technology and a sleek design to help surgeons accurately resect bones that align and position the implant relative to the soft-tissue during total knee replacement. The efficient and compact design integrates into any operating room and does so with a much smaller footprint, at less than half the size of some other robotic-assisted solutions.

“Our arthroplasty surgeons are excited about the acquisition of this cutting-edge technology to help improve accuracy in knee replacements,” said Dr Ali Gursel, San Head of Orthopaedic Surgery.

Ahead of the arrival of the devices, the San hosted the Johnson and Johnson Institute truck. The VELYS Mobile Lab provides on-site access to next-generation hands-on training and virtual reality-based operating environments. Over two weeks, multiple training sessions were run inside the truck to allow staff to familiarise themselves with the technology. 

“Training takes time, and normally nurses would undergo that training offsite, which can be tricky to organise around existing rosters. Johnson and Johnson kindly suggested that instead they would set up a mobile training facility on site for our nurses to ensure they can complete their learning in an efficient and timely manner, Ms Reimer said. 

“This innovative training approach, has the added advantage of offering the opportunity for many other staff to see a simulation of this technology in action, when ordinarily they may not have the opportunity, and that I think is fantastic.”