Innovative surgical education based on groundbreaking technology

Europe premiere at SGU congress 2010 in Lausanne

The new training simulator for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) developed by VirtaMed AG has been presented for the first time at SGU congress 2010 in Lausanne. In collaboration with Anklin AG, the Swiss company is committed to offering the best training methods available in surgical education. In virtual reality, young surgeons can learn all necessary skills and conduct complete TURP procedures. Didactic tutorials, videos of expert interventions as well as objective feedback after each training prepare surgeons perfectly for their first time in the OR.

The TURPSim is the latest member of the product family for endoscopic training. Just recently launched by the young Swiss Start-up VirtaMed AG, the simulator is a breakthrough in the field of training TURP interventions, which is seen as the gold standard in treating benign prostate hyperplasia. 

The prototype has been presented at the meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA) in San Francisco. Now, the Europe premiere followed at SGU congress in Lausanne from September 1 – 3, 2010.

Groundbreaking quality for first class medical education

In addition to detailed didactic material, instructive videos and objective feedback after each procedure, the hands-on training on the TURPSim is especially valuable. The simulator offers a realistic platform to train basic skills such as correct visualization of the critical anatomic landmarks (verumontanum, bladder neck and ureteral orifices) or coagulation of bleedings.

At the same time, it provides a wide range of anatomic features and pathologies, e.g. small and large prostates with hyperplasia of the median lobe or the two side lobes. And special challenges such as difficult entry can also be trained.



TURPSim Training at the Anklin booth during SGU congress in Lausanne

Practical training facilitates the step from VR into the OR

Doctors-in-training gain security and the necessary skills to perform complete TURP procedures on the simulator. As they use original tools such as resectoscope and foot pedals, they are able to translate their knowledge 100% into OR competence. Operative complications like strong bleedings or fluid overload are part of the training. That way, young surgeons obtain both the theoretical and practical skills to be able to achieve best possible results when they perform on live patients.

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Anklin AG – Competence due to experience and personal commitment
Endoscopic equipment needs consulting and service which rely on high competence and expertise as well as confidence. Anklin AG is specialized in the field of medical devices for endoscopy since 1954 and is today one of the leading companies in Switzerland. The long-time experience and personal commitment of the two brothers Andreas and Thomas Anklin and their reliable team of about 35 employees offer an ideal support with extended service benefits. Right from the start, Anklin AG had a partnership with KARL STORZ GmbH & Co. KG, the global leader in rigid endoscopy, which guarantees continuous enhancements and up-to-date technology.


VirtaMed AG – Realistic Simulators for Medical Education
VirtaMed is a Swiss company with an interdisciplinary background in medicine and engineering. Our mission is to 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 instructional teaching and training of different diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic interventions. Today, many teaching institutions and medical device companies use VirtaMed’s simulators globally for education and hands-on training.