Welcome to VirtaMed

VirtaMed's vision is to improve the quality of medical care with state-of-the-art, virtual reality-based medical training, and data-driven education.
 


Mission

Our mission is to alter the way medical skills are taught. VirtaMed believes that all patients should experience surgical excellence. Since 2007, we empower surgeons to reach proficiency by integrating state-of-the-art, virtual reality-based, data-driven education into medical training. Combining virtual reality graphics with original instruments and anatomic models for realistic tactile feedback, VirtaMed simulators provide structured courses and performance-based proficiency assessments. We also partner with medical societies and internationally renowned experts to develop standardized curricula and training courses for professional development.


Our milestones

1

2007

From PhD thesis to company

The origins of VirtaMed date back to 2001 when a hysteroscopy simulator project in the frame of the NCCR CO-ME of the Swiss National Science Foundation involving 16 PhD students was started. At the end of the project in 2007, six colleagues decided to start a company and were joined by Denis Steinemann from the start. Stefan took the lead and together with Denis and Daniel decided to launch the venture VirtaMed.

1

2008

Medical Advisory Board established

Our board members have a depth of business, technology and medical experience.

1

2008

Official product launch of the VirtaMed HystSim™

The VirtaMed HystSim™ is the first simulator in the product line of the company. OB/GYN surgeons now have access to an advanced and comprehensive training system available for diagnostic and therapeutic hysteroscopy. It is presented with original instruments.

1

2009

Arthroscopy simulator project kick-off

The project to build VirtaMed ArthroS™ starts with the help of the Swiss Federal innovation promotion agency CTI. VirtaMed AG partners with the University Clinic Balgrist, ETH Zurich, and ZHAW Winterthur.

1

2010

Official product launch of the VirtaMed TURPSim™

VirtaMed enters Urology simulation. A new hands-on training system for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

1

2011

VirtaMed ships first Medtech simulators

Rome wasn't built in a day. Nor was VirtaMed. In 2011 we shipped our first simulators for Medtech clients like Richard Wolf, Smith & Nephew, and Hologic Inc.

1

2012

VirtaMed ArthroS™ Knee launched

VirtaMed enters the arthroscopy world with the knee module for arthroscopy training. The VirtaMed ArthroS™ offers different training scenarios such as a diagnostic tour inside the knee, meniscus repair, arthrosis treatment or loose body removal.

1

2013

PelvicSim™ launched

The first simulator for uterine sounding and IUD insertion is presented for the first time at the IMSH conference in Orlando, Florida, USA.

1

2013

VirtaMed ArthroS™ Shoulder launched

Introducing modularity in the VirtaMed platform. The knee and shoulder modules can easily be swopped on the caddy.

1

2014

Official product launch of the VirtaMed ArthroS™ FAST module

The fusion of the Sawbones FAST dome with our virtual reality simulator and the use of original instruments offers exciting new training opportunities: surgeons can now practice the basic skills needed before they actually go on and perform complex knee or shoulder arthroscopies.

1

2015

VirtaMed introduces PelvicSim™ Mini

VirtaMed introduces PelvicSim™ Mini, a luggage-sized simulator for frequent travelers.

1

2015

Simulator for embryo transfer

VirtaMed and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine ASRM developed a simulator for embryo transfer.

1

2016

ACL reconstruction simulation

VirtaMed publishes the first and best comprehensive training tool for ACL reconstruction. The new module is part of the ArthroS™ Knee simulator.

1

2016

Launching the VirtaMed ArthroS™ Hip

The new anatomical hip module features fluoroscopy guided access training and arthroscopic procedures.

1

2017

Launching the VirtaMed ArthroS­™ Ankle

VirtaMed launches the ArthroS™ Ankle, the world’s first high-fidelity simulator for ankle arthroscopy.

1

2018

AANA collaborates with VirtaMed on arthroscopy education

The Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) and VirtaMed sign a two-year collaboration agreement making VirtaMed the preferred and exclusive partner for virtual reality simulation training.

1

2018

VirtaMed gains ISO 9001:2015 certification

VirtaMed AG received certification that the company successfully applies a Quality Management System according to ISO 9001:2015.

1

2019

GynoS™ Obstetric Ultrasound modules launched

The standardized 20+2 approach for obstetric ultrasound examination is included in the new Obstetric Ultrasound simulator from VirtaMed. VirtaMed’s GynoS™ simulator extends its training modules to include transabdominal and transvaginal obstetric ultrasound.

1

2020

LaparoS™ simulator launched

The VirtaMed LaparoS™ launches in April 2020 at the start of the COVID pandemic.

1

2020

VirtaMed's LaparoS™ finalist at the Swiss Medtech Awards

VirtaMed's LaparoS™ was nominated among the finalists of the Swiss Medtech Awards for opening the door to a new era of surgical simulation.

1

2020

Life during COVID-19

During 2020, VirtaMed initiated a simulation truck tour and visited more than 40 hospitals with our mobile simulation lab in Switzerland, Germany, France, and Luxembourg.

1

2021

LaparoS™ Gynecological Laparoscopy module launched

The Gynecological Laparoscopy module complemented the laparoscopy simulator with key surgical steps for gynecological laparscopy training. In combination with the hysteroscopy simulator, VirtaMed now offers the most comprehensive surgical gynecology training in the market.

1

2021

ArthroS shoulder rotator Cuff Repair module launched

1

2022

Surgical robotics

VirtaMed enters the world of robotic surgery simulation with the kick-off of our first first robotic customer project

1

2022

ArthroS™ Knee hardware 2.0 and ACL Reconstruction module launched

1

2023

ArthroS™ Knee Meniscal Repair module launched

1

2023

Fourth robotic surgery project goes into development.

Rocking robotics surgery like a pro. VirtaMed fourth robotic surgery customer project goes into development.

1

2024

New Colorectal module added to LaparoS™

LaparoS™ Colorectal Surgery with 8 cases, including diagnostic laparoscopy and condensed skills training derived from realistic Right Colectomy scenarios


Board of Directors

Philipp von Loeper

Chairman

Philipp von Loeper is the Chairman of the VirtaMed Board of Directors, and he is the Managing Director of family-owned holding company ACEG Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH. Born close to Cologne, Germany, von Loeper has an economics diploma from the Swiss University of Fribourg and extensive experience in managing companies across industries in Germany and Italy. He has been Member of the Supervisory Board at Eppendorf AG since 2011, and he became the Chairman of the Eppendorf board in 2016.

Philipp Schack

Board member

Philipp Schack is an operative partner at Armira, as well as the president of the advisory boards at PolyCine GmbH and business group Graf von Oeynhausen-Sierstorpff. Schack has studied business in Germany, France, and Canada, and he started his professional career in Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan. Schack moved from finance to industry in the late 1990's as he took the helm in Karl Höll GmbH and later in TITAL GmbH.

Dr. Raimundo Sierra

CEO and Co-Founder

Raimundo quickly discovered his passion for software, algorithms, computer vision and its application to non-engineering fields while studying at ETH Zurich. He received both his Masters and his doctoral degree in electrical engineering from the university, and his PhD thesis on variable models for surgical training simulation was an integral part of VirtaMed's birth.

As a postdoctoral researcher in Boston he worked on surgical simulation and contributed to starting VirtaMed. In 2007 he joined McKinsey and built up his management skills as a consultant for 5 years, followed by 2 years of building and leading a Corporate Digitization unit in the agrochemical sector. In 2014 Raimundo and Stefan decided to join forces and co-lead the growth of VirtaMed.

Stefan Tuchschmid

Co-Founder

Based on and in parallel to his Ph.D. thesis "High-fidelity surgical simulator for hysteroscopy" at ETH Zurich, Stefan Tuchschmid launched VirtaMed to create the most realistic simulators possible. From 2007 until 2023, he built and shaped VirtaMed together with Co-CEO Raimundo Sierra to become a global leader in surgical training with over 130 employees globally.

Stefan is the winner of the MICCAI Young Scientist Award 2007 and the Swiss Economic Award 2013 in Hightech/Biotech as well as serial winner of most business plan competitions in Switzerland. As any other true entrepreneur, Stefan is passionate about bringing ideas to life and products to market. Stefan lives in Winterthur, Switzerland, is married, and fully relies on the smiles of his three small children to bring things into perspective.

Andy Weymann

Board member

Andy is a seasoned orthopedic surgeon boasting an impressive 25 years of expertise in various global executive and board positions within the realms of medical devices and regenerative medicine. His academic prowess includes a Masters in Human Medicine from the University of Zurich, complemented by an MBA degree from the Simon School of Business at the University of Rochester. Additionally, Andy has honed his strategic acumen through participation in the board program at Harvard Business School.

Notably, Andy has a rich professional history, having served as the Chief Medical Officer of Smith+Nephew and as a distinguished Board Member of S+N Switzerland, among other prominent board roles. His leadership extends to the helm of AO Education, with a particular focus on spearheading AOSpine initiatives.


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Where to find us

North America

Phone: +1 813 661 4341

VirtaMed Inc.

16144 Churchview Drive, Suite 101 Lithia, FL 33547, USA

International

Phone: +41 44 500 96 90

VirtaMed AG

Rütistrasse 12, 8952 Schlieren, Zurich, Switzerland

China

Phone: +86 21 6368 8810

VirtaMed Co. Ltd

1212 Shui On Plaza, Huai Hai Middle Road 333, Shanghai, PRC