DePuy, a Johnson & Johnson Co., Wednesday revealed the iZone Operating Room of Tomorrow, which displays incorporation of Intelligent Orthopaedics into knee and hip replacement procedures.

The iZone also will provide training facilities for the new intiative, iOrthopaedicsª, launched in March, which is designed to improve products in three areas: implant functionality, implant survivorship and the surgeon's ability to perform less invasive procedures more accurately.

DePuy's iOrthopaedics offering is the Ciª System, the first totally integrated, customizable, computer-assisted surgical package for total knee replacement. The iZone has the capability of demonstrating current and future technology in an operating room environment.

The Ci System consists of proprietary computer hardware, dedicated operating software and surgical instruments designed to work together to enable more precise placement of implants during minimally invasive total knee replacement surgery. Developed as a collaboration between DePuy and BrainLAB, the world leader in computer-guided surgery technologies, the new technology provides accuracy, precision, customization, flexibility and control to the orthopedic surgeon.

Through the hardware and software, reflective optical rays in the patient's anatomy can be tracked back to the computer and displayed to the surgeon. The computer assistance brings the goal of MIS to reality and allows virtual trialing before the bones are cut to preserve soft tissue and save as much bone as possible. The system also allows computer assisted navigation of instruments.

CT and MRI information may be stored in the computer prior to surgery. As the joint anatomy is exposed, the surgeon uses the system's image data capture tools to indicate the joint's axis and anatomical landmarks to the computer. The Ci System then creates a customized three-dimensional model of the joint anatomy and couples that information with existing 3D models from a database to allow the surgeon to use on-screen virtual surgical planning and assessment. As the implant procedure progresses, the surgeon can fine tune the process at each surgical step.

Using the hardware and software in the iZone, Jim Lancaster, director of research and development with DePuy, also demonstrated the future of iOrthopaedics. Future products in development include: wireless and camera-less tracking technology; anatomic imaging to allow visualization of a patient's bone anatomy through the skin; and a surgical face shield with a computerized display eliminating the need for a computer screen in the operating room.

Jan Keatling of South Point, Ohio, said, "After my knee surgery (using the Ci System) and throughout my rehabilitation, which was strenuous at times, never was the pain as bad as before the surgery."

The Ci System and iOrthopaedics exemplify DePuy strategy that concentrates on initiatives to improve implant functionality and survivorship and to allow the surgeon to perform less invasive procedures more accurately for patients. [[In-content Ad]]