Surgical Science webinar banner
FacebookXLinkedInEmailWhatsApp

Johnson & Johnson Announces First Cases in Europe of the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution for Use in UKA Procedures

Surgical Robotics TechnologySurgical Robotics Technology
5 mins read
Johnson & Johnson Announces First Cases in Europe of the VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution for Use in UKA Procedures

Johnson & Johnson MedTech has announced the first cases of the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution for use in Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty (UKA) procedures in Europe. 

The expanded indication builds upon the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution (VRAS) platform used in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA), which equips surgeons with the information needed to help preserve the soft tissue envelope, predict joint stability and work toward returning knee function3ii. 

The VRAS UKA clinical application is designed exclusively to work with the SIGMA HP Partial Knee Implant and INTUITION™ INSTRUMENTS. The SIGMA HP Partial Knee has demonstrated significantly better 15-year survivorship compared to class2i. The VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution for UKA can deliver reproducible resections and precise placement of SIGMA HP Partial Knee components without the need for a CT scan 4,5,6,7,8,iii.

“With the number of patients with osteoarthritis in Europe rising, surgeons are looking for solutions that address some of the key unmet patient and clinical needs in the partial knee segment,” Sarah Mueller, Vice President, Orthopaedics EMEA, Johnson & Johnson MedTech. “The combination of VELYS Robotic Assisted Surgery and our clinically proven SIGMA HP Partial Uni-Compartmental Knee enables a more personalized procedure with the potential to drive reproducible outcomes and improve patient outcomes.” 

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, otherwise known as partial knee replacement, offers clinical benefits and a cost-effective alternative to TKA9,10,13. Despite the benefits, UKA is underutilized due to complexities that include smaller incisions and lack of visibility. Robotics has the opportunity to overcome many of the challenges surgeons face in manual partial knee replacement when they are designed to provide intra-operative insights, more accurate implant alignment and positioning, and more consistent outcomes.

Dr Pieter-Jan Vandekerckhoveiv, who performed the first surgeries in Belgium, at the Orthoclinic Brugge commented: “With an aging population comes a rising demand for personalized treatments in knee replacement surgery. From my experience, the VELYS UKA clinical application enhances accuracy, consistency, and precision compared to manual techniques. This innovative solution empowers surgeons to achieve optimal balance and alignment tailored to each patient’s specific needs. Additionally, the UKA application offers precise 3D positioning and real-time insights that support patient-specific operative decisions, providing the surgeon with confidence when navigating soft tissue complexities. I’m excited about this technology, as it represents a significant advancement in tailored solutions that can transform patient outcomes.”

Key features of the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution, UKA clinical application include:

  • The single page PROADJUST™ Planning screen allows surgeons to adjust parameters which help personalize knee alignment and balance relative to soft tissues11,12,v.
  • An ACCUBALANCE™ Graph provides pre-resection visualization for balancing data throughout the full range of motion to help predict joint stability11,12,V.
  • Complete UKA workflow with UKA-specific functionality.

For more information on the VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution visit: VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution

For more information on the SIGMA HP Knee visit: SIGMA™ HP Partial Knee

References:

  1. The National Joint Registry for England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man (NJR). Sigma HP (Uni) Unicondylar Implant Summary Report (from 9 January 2004 to 1 January 2025) Generated 18February2025. Report available on SIGMA™ HP Partial Knee
  2. ODEP (2025)Sigma High Performance Partial Knee. Available at: ODEP – Sigma High Performance Partial Knee-Unicondylar Knee (Accessed: 17 June 2025).
  3. Hunter M., et al., Influence of Soft Tissue Releases on 2 Year Outcomes in Total Knee Arthroplasty and Rate of Soft Tissue Releases in Robotic-Assisted Surgery. Current Concepts in Joint Replacement, Dec 2022. Poster No P-12
  4. DePuy Synthes VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution for UKA Quantitative Surgeon Experience Study. (November 2023) Windchill #501968816
  5. DePuy Synthes VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution for Unicompartmental Knee Rev-C Surgical Technique Guide. January 2024. Windchill #501433682
  6. DePuy Synthes VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution for Unicompartmental Knee Summative Evaluation Report. May 3, 2024. Windchill #501481717
  7. DePuy Synthes Rev A VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution for Unicompartmental Knee User Guide. January 2024. IFU #501488496
  8. Doan et al. “Assessment of Accuracy of a Novel Image Free Robotic-Assisted System for Unicondylar Knee Arthroplasty.” World Arthroplasty Congress, Poster No. 282, April 2024.
  9. Hauer G, Sadoghi P, Bernhardt GA, et al. Greater activity, better range of motion and higher quality of life following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty: a comparative case-control study. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2020;140(2):231-237. doi:10.1007/s00402-019-03296-3
  10. Jansen K, Beckert M, Deckard ER, Ziemba-Davis M, Meneghini RM. Satisfaction and Functional Outcomes in Unicompartmental Compared with Total Knee Arthroplasty: Radiographically Matched Cohort Analysis. JB JS Open Access. 2020;5(3):e20.00051. Published 2020 Sep 28. doi:10.2106/JBJS.OA.20.00051
  11. Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates. VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution for Total Knee. Surgical Technique, Femur First Approach (November 2024). Windchill Report 103744585 Rev J.
  12. Johnson & Johnson and its affiliates. VELYS™ Robotic-Assisted Solution for Unicompartmental Knee Rev-C Surgical Technique Guide. January 2024. Windchill #501433682.
  13. Shankar S, Tetreault MW, Jegier BJ, Andersson GB, Della Valle CJ (2016) A cost comparison of unicompartmental and total knee arthroplasty. Knee 23 (6): 1016-1019.

i. CRR:10.9% (95% CI: 9.3%, 12.7%) vs. class CRR:14.1% (95% CI: 13.8%, 14.4%)

ii. Product(s) may not be commercially available in all markets. This content may not be used externally in those markets where regulatory approval has not been granted for all the products referenced.

iii. +As compared to manual/conventional

iv. Dr Pieter-Jan Vandekerckhove has been compensated directly or indirectly for giving this testimonial.

v. Product(s) may not be commercially available in all markets. This content may not be used externally in those markets where regulatory approval has not been granted for all the products referenced.

Important Information: Please refer to the latest Instructions for Use and/or Package Insert provided by the manufacturer of the device for the details such as indications, contraindications, side effects, warnings, and precautions. 

The third party trademarks used herein are the properties of their respective owners.

Source: Johnson & Johnson MedTech

FacebookXLinkedInEmailWhatsApp

Surgical Robotics Technology