Johnson & Johnson MedTech Expands Surgical Robotics Using NVIDIA AI

Johnson & Johnson MedTech announced further development of its robotics systems with physical artificial intelligence (AI) tech to create simulated environments using NVIDIA Isaac for Healthcare.

The AI-driven simulation is being leveraged to build the company’s Monarch Platform for Urology. The technology can help create virtual operating room (OR) environments so clinical teams can set up a robotic procedure before beginning surgery. It can also generate simulated anatomy and clinical scenarios to model kidney stone procedures to assist with learning and planning procedures.

This news follows yesterday’s announcement that J&J MedTech progressed its Polyphonic AI Fund for Surgery, which companies including NVIDIA and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have joined.

Isaac for Healthcare will help J&J create high-fidelity digital twins using NVIDIA Omniverse libraries as well as build applications to simulate how the system potentially performs in the OR and inside patients. Further, NVIDIA Cosmos world foundation models generate synthetic data to help complete the picture with accurate, physics-based data.

“Simulation is the next frontier in surgical robotics,” said Neda Cvijetic, senior VP, global head of Robotics & Digital R&D, MedTech, Johnson & Johnson. “With AI-driven simulation, we can create high-fidelity digital twins that adhere to the laws of physics, such that the simulation accurately anticipates the real world and ultimately unlocks physical AI capabilities. As we launch new robotics technologies and continue accelerating our innovation pipeline, these simulations have the potential to enhance our differentiated technology development in support of our mission to deliver better patient outcomes.”

Research and development teams will have the potential to test new features and model the system’s real-world behavior because the entire robotic system—tower, cart, fluid management system, instruments—are included in the physics-based simulations. The digital tools also aim to support training and education for clinicians adopting the Monarch Platform for Urology.

The platform, according to J&J, will become commercially available in the U.S. next year.  The system, ureteroscope, and endourology accessories are indicated for endoscopic visualization and access of urinary tract organs, cavities, and canals with transurethral access or with percutaneous access routes.

It can also be used with endoscopic accessories for several diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the urinary tract.

“This is an exciting development in our use of AI to shape our robotics portfolio and position the MONARCH Platform for Urology for success,” said Aleksandra Popovic, president, MONARCH, MedTech, Johnson & Johnson. “Our teams are convening the right technologies to capture value from data and shape new experiences with our systems before, during, and after surgery.”

The company earned U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for the Monarch Quest—which features AI-powered algorithms and a verified OEC Open interface with GE HealthCare’s OEC 3D mobile CBCT imaging system—in March of this year.