VirtaMed | ArthroS™ simulator for knee, shoulder, hip and ankle arthroscopy training

We believe in supporting the entire arthroscopic learning journey

The VirtaMed ArthroS™ prepares trainees for the operating room quickly and efficiently. Support your trainees through their arthroscopic learning journey with progressively more complex training cases and society-endorsed and competency-based curriculum.

Numerous medical training institutions have found that integrating simulation into their curriculum both improves training outcomes and ultimately supports better patient care.

Accelerate Training

Simulators offer risk-free hands-on experience where students can make mistakes and test boundaries.

Teach with original instruments and highly realistic graphics to ease the transfer of skills from the simulator to the OR.

Step-by-step instructions help students develop basic arthroscopy skills before guiding them through increasingly complex diagnostic and therapeutic cases.

Inspire Success

Objectively assess trainees’ skills to set benchmarks and targets. Ensure trainees achieve predetermined levels of proficiency prior to entering the OR.

Use our society-endorsed courses to help students reach benchmarks, or work with us to create world-class courses of your own.

Provide students with detailed feedback reports to quickly identify areas for improvement.

Save Time and Money

Trainees with regular access to a simulator reach defined proficiency levels more quickly, meaning that they get into the OR sooner.

Residents first trained on a simulator take less time to complete procedures once they are in the OR - and make fewer errors.

Trainees enter the OR having already mastered the basics and can focus on learning more complex skills.

Dr. Robert T. Burks, M.D., Dept. of orthopedic surgery, University of Utah, USA

The ability of the simulator to show a large number of different pathologies, to identify them and to document them distinguishes the VirtaMed ArthroS™ from training on conventional models, but also from training in the operating room or on cadavers where this high number of variability is not present. This is really what makes the VirtaMed ArthroS™ a unique training tool.

Modules

Download factsheet VirtaMed ArthroS™ (PDF)
Download module descriptions VirtaMed ArthroS™ (PDF)

Fundamentals of Arthroscopy Surgery (FAST)

Give your trainees the skills they need to succeed in the operating room. The VirtaMed ArthroS™ FAST module uses real instruments and a series of competency-based courses to teach trainees the Fundamentals of Arthroscopy Surgery Training (FAST). The VirtaMed's FAST model was developed in collaboration with the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) as part of the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (ABOS) mandate for surgical skills training.

The FAST module accelerates learning by providing structured and ambidextrous training of arthroscopy skills such as image centering, horizon control, telescoping, triangulation, and using different optics. A strong foundation in the use of common arthroscopic instruments better prepares trainees for the next steps in their educational journey.

VirtaMed ArthroS™ Knee

Trainees have access to multiple didactic videos and a collection of expertly-designed and society-endorsed courses. This includes courses developed jointly with the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) and courses designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and the operating room.

Basic exercises and guided diagnostic tours develop instrument skills and teach trainees to identify key landmarks within the right knee. Therapeutic cases then give trainees the opportunity to practice their newly acquired skills on a variety of knee pathologies including meniscus lesions, arthrosis, synovial membrane inflammations, and loose bodies.

Concepts of ACL Reconstruction

The supplementary ACL Reconstruction module is an add-on to the ArthroS™ Knee module. Developed specifically to teach ACL reconstruction, in this module trainees learn to diagnose an ACL tear, remove the injured ligament, and find the optimal locations for the replacement graft. The nature of the simulator allows students to explore in a risk-free environment how slight changes in the replacement graft's location can affect the joint function.

Trainees gain experience through a variety of available cases, ranging from partial to complete ACL tears. Cases also include different complications encountered during routine ACL reconstructive procedures, better preparing trainees for the operating room.

Read about the ACL Reconstruction Module release

VirtaMed ArthroS™ Shoulder

VirtaMed's shoulder module supports both beach chair and lateral decubitus positions, and realistic joint movements, just like in the operating room. Trainees practice shoulder navigation with a 15-point shoulder exam and subsequent therapeutic cases let them hone their newly acquired skills on a variety of shoulder pathologies including SLAP and bankart lesions, PASTA tears, synovial membrane inflammations, impingements, and loose bodies.

A collection of expertly-designed and society-endorsed courses, including courses developed jointly with the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA), give trainees a solid arthroscopic foundation.

VirtaMed ArthroS™ Hip

Using simulation, you can teach all the hip essentials in a risk-free environment and have trainees master these skills all before they enter the operating room.

Provide the full clinical experience with real surgical tools, replaceable hip inserts, hip flexation and femur rotation, joint traction, and the ability to palpitate bony landmarks. VirtaMed ArthroS™ Hip's new radiation-free fluoroscopy feature lets you teach correct access points without the additional costs of traditional fluoroscopic imaging or unnecessary exposure to radiation.

Once they have the basics of hip arthroscopy mastered, therapeutic cases give trainees the opportunity to practice their newly acquired skills on a variety of hip pathologies including lesions in the labrum and cartilage, cam impingement, synovial inflammation, and loose bodies.

Read about the VirtaMed ArthroS™ Hip release

VirtaMed ArthroS™ Ankle

Given the inherent difficulty of ankle arthroscopy, simulation is a great risk-free training tool. The ArthroS™ Ankle module supports supine and posterior patient positioning and the opportunity to visualize the anterior and posterior aspects of the left ankle joint.

Leverage basic exercises and guided diagnostic tours to develop trainees' instrument skills and teach trainees to identify key landmarks within the ankle. Therapeutic cases give trainees the opportunity to practice their newly acquired skills on a variety of ankle pathologies, including anterior impingement, cartilage defects, synovitis, and loose bodies.

Read about the VirtaMed ArthroS™ Ankle release

Download factsheet VirtaMed ArthroS™ Ankle (PDF)

Platforms

VirtaMed orthopedic platform

The VirtaMed ArthroS™ platform can come with a knee and/or shoulder and/or hip and/or ankle model.

Hardware features:

Universal platform supports all models and switching modes can be easily done in 30 seconds.
Magnetic instrument tracking provides realistic tactile sensation.
Trainees use original instruments and tools such as an original arthroscope, palpation hook, grasper, cutting punch, or shaver. The instruments are equipped with sensors and allow for fluid handling, camera technique, and familiarize trainees with the concept of 0, 30, and 70-degree optics.
The anatomic model and a high-end PC are mounted on a movable display cart with height-adjustable 23” multi touch-screen.

Software designed specifically for surgeons

VirtaMed's software is designed to make learning basic arthroscopy skills easier.

Software features:

Inside and outside views of the joint help trainees orient themselves as they learn joint navigation.
Horizon control indicators and warning messages train proper instrument usage.
Guidance arrows support trainees in learning important anatomical landmarks.
Feedback reports with video and images allow you to immediately debrief with the trainee after each case. These reports also identify learning opportunities and track learning progress over time.

Download factsheet VirtaMed ArthroS™ (PDF)
Download module descriptions VirtaMed ArthroS™ (PDF)

Services

Support

We offer several different levels of service and support packages tailored specifically to the needs of hospitals and training centers. These can provide you with complete coverage (and peace of mind) when it comes to protecting your investment and getting the most out of your simulator. More about VirtaMed customer service and support

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VirtaMed Connect™

Access your simulator data anywhere and anytime with VirtaMed's Connect.

Keep your focus on education with remote access; conveniently assign courses, manage curricula, and motivate students with online leader boards, all from the convenience of your office.

Connect lets you track student and cohort progress, helping you easily coach students on key areas for improvement and capture and compare student results over time.

Use Connect to scale simulation to your needs. Because it is cloud-based, Connect can help you easily manage multi-simulator or multi-site training programs.
Download the VirtaMed Connect™ brochure

Training & Education

Our T&E team is here to help you get the most out of your simulator. In addition to introductory sessions, the T&E team offers in-depth training in a variety of areas and in multiple languages (English, German, French, Italian and Chinese). The T&E team can organize trainings that are as diverse as our customers, catering to groups of all sizes and interests. For example, they have helped customers develop courses for trainees preparing for the European board exam or the Swiss Orthopedic exam as well as courses for experienced professionals looking to train on the less-common joints such as the ankle. More about the VirtaMed Training & Education services