San Francisco, CA (March 10, 2004) DePuy, a Johnson & Johnson company, today announced at the 71st Annual Academy of Orthopaedics (AAOS), the introduction of "Intelligent Orthopaedics" (or iOrthopaedics), a business initiative which explores and develops breakthrough technologies, products and services designed to enhance and extend the orthopaedic surgeon's existing skills and experience.
As part of the announcement, DePuy is introducing the first offering from this new initiative, the Ci System. The Ci System is a totally integrated surgical package for total knee joint replacement that provides proprietary hardware, software and instruments designed to work together for more minimally invasive procedures. The Ci System will be rolled out over the next several months.
The Ci System, as well as other future iOrthopaedics products, will be showcased in DePuy's "iOrthopaedics Operating Room (OR) of the Future," an operating theater where future computing, imaging and visualization technology are fully integrated to give surgeons an unsurpassed level of accuracy and control.
"We expect iOrthopaedics and its resulting products to bring about a paradigm shift that changes how people think about our industry," said Kevin Sidow, worldwide president, DePuy, Inc. "More positive change will occur over the next four years than the last 40 with DePuy at the forefront of that change."
According to Bill Barrett, M.D., orthopaedic surgeon with Valley Orthopaedic Associates in Renton, WA, "The technological advancements made possible by iOrthopaedics are remarkable and will ultimately allow surgeons to align joints with much more accuracy using much less invasive procedures. In my experience, the potential benefits seen with these technologies include reduced incision size and scarring, minimized soft tissue damage and decreased risk of malalignment."
Visitors to the iOrthopaedics OR of the Future will see and hear first hand about the following advancements, all of which will allow surgeons to operate less invasively and with more accuracy.
The Ci System:
Captures a patient's unique anatomy and translates it to a computer screen, providing an unobstructed view of the patient's own knee joint. Is unlike competitive computer-assisted total joint replacement systems; Ci was developed from the ground up for computer-assisted surgeries, with dedicated software and instrumentation designed to work together versus new software made to work with traditional instrumentation.
A proprietary wireless and camera-less tracking technology being developed with Biosense Webster, another member of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, which will eliminate wires and cameras for an unrestricted operating environment.
Anatomic imaging technology that will allow surgeons to see a patient's bony anatomy through the skin, allowing them the potential to operate less invasively and with more accuracy to reduce malalignment.
Visualization technology that will give surgeons a full view of computer images in their face shields, eliminating the need for a computer screen in the operating theater.
Advanced cutting tools and surgical instrumentation that allow the potential for greater surgical accuracy, while enhancing surgeon control.
"iOrthopaedics represents a unique promise to surgeons and their patients," said Sidow. "Initiatives are selected based on their potential to improve products in three distinct areas implant functionality, implant survivorship as well as the surgeon's ability to perform less invasive procedures for patients. IOrthopaedics is focused on initiatives that have the potential to meet all three criteria."
DePuy's iOrthopaedics initiative is based on a unique collaboration between DePuy, an expert in orthopaedic implants and instruments, and BrainLAB, the world leader in computer-guided surgery. The companies have formed a dedicated, proprietary research and development relationship, with the goal of delivering iOrthopaedics products that will transform the orthopaedic practice.
Significant resources have been put toward surgeon training centers, which will provide comprehensive education and hands-on opportunities for surgeons on iOrthopaedics products. Global in reach, centers are located in Cincinnati, OH; Hamburg, Germany; and Perth, Australia. A dedicated technical support group also offers extensive post-training support for surgeons and their staffs.
"We are implementing a 'no train, no use' policy on all iOrthopaedics products," added Sidow. "Because these products represent dramatic changes, we want to ensure we're honoring the trust our customers have come to expect and instilling an appropriate level of surgeon education."
About DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc.
DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company, is a driver of transformational change in orthopaedic care, with a focused commitment to help surgeons achieve excellence in surgical practice. Thousands of surgeons worldwide rely upon DePuy every day. DePuy designs, manufactures and distributes orthopaedic devices and supplies including hip, knee, extremity, trauma, orthobiologics and operating room products.
