Platform Introduces New Simulation Offering and Performance Score that Provides Trainees and Instructors with Clear Assessment of Each Users’ Step by Step Performance and Growth

Chicago – 26th September 2019 – Today, we announced the extention of our simulation offering with a new Facetectomy procedure. Additionally, we are rolling out the Fundamental Surgery Score, aimed at providing users and their mentors with even more reporting and assessment around their individual surgical performances.

Orthopedic Simulation Offering Extended with Facetectomy Procedure

The new Facetectomy procedure joins a range of additional orthopedic and spine simulations and gives users the opportunity to repeatedly train in the removal of the facet joint using a bone nibbler and Kerrison Rongeur using HapticVR technology.

The Facetectomy simulation lets trainees and surgeons practice the surgical procedure through an immersive, self-directed experience where they can remove a volume of bone material piece-by-piece, anywhere on the joint. Through the platform’s voxel technology, users can make decisions and execute every step of their desired approach and anatomical involvement. In relevant areas of the procedure, users can make realistic and meaningful choices around tool use, with the potential to make mistakes giving the opportunity to learn correct methods through practice.

The procedure also incorporates Fundamental Surgery’s new eye-tracking capability which is available through the HTC Vive Pro Eye headset.

Introducing the Fundamental Surgery Score

The facetectomy procedure is our first to include the new Fundamental Surgery Score. Users are assessed on their ability to meet surgical objectives throughout the procedure. These scores are combined to give an overall percentage score for their session. This is augmented with an Independent Practice Grade between A and D, indicating the amount of help and assistance the user needed to reach their score.

Created in-hand with medical experts in their respected fields, the Fundamental Surgery Score delivers a new level of simulation engagement and facilitates effective independent learning, by providing users and their mentors with continuous feedback and performance data on each surgical step.

The score aligns with U.S. and European resident and fellow reporting mechanisms and is a combination of a user’s skillset, knowledge of each assessment as well as the level of independence they are able to demonstrate. Fundamental Surgery Scores are displayed on the results screen at the end of each simulation and are also available on the online data dashboard. All users can then view the development of skills and cognitive learning over time through the online portal.

“Our team is dedicated to providing every surgeon and trainee in the world with safe and accessible surgical simulations that they can use to train and improve their skills throughout their careers,” said Richard Vincent, Founder and CEO of FundamentalVR. “The new addition of the Facetectomy simulation along with the Fundamental Surgery Score continues this effort by giving our users full free decisioning over both tool choice and operative approach”