This week's episode of XR Industry Leaders offers an insider's view on how extended reality is changing healthcare, straight from Zimmer Biomet. Thomas Kopec, Senior Manager of Digital Learning, discusses his company's pioneering use of AR and VR for surgical planning, medical training, and more.

Listeners will learn how Zimmer Biomet uses HoloLens and VR headsets to enable real-time CT visualizations during surgery. Kopec also explains the virtual collaboration tools that facilitate remote mentorship and live Q&A during procedures. Gain valuable insight into how VR is enhancing pre-operative planning, with surgeons able to immerse themselves in realistic experiences prior to entering the OR.

Kopec candidly shares results from initial VR pilot programs, including challenges like hardware costs, managing headsets, and user adoption. Looking ahead, he predicts VR and AR will play an integral role in healthcare through training, collaboration, rehearsal, and competency evaluation.

For those interested in how extended reality will shape medicine going forward, this is a must-listen episode. Kopec provides an insider's perspective on VR's transformative potential for surgery, training, and beyond. Tune in for cutting-edge use cases and an exciting glimpse into the future of healthcare.

Timestamps:

• What Zimmer Biomet is doing with AR (08:01)
• Zimmer Biomet’s perspective on the timeline for AR (10:48)
• How Zimmer Biomet is thinking about, and using, AR (15:31)
• Feedback (19:59)
• Pain points from pilot stage to scale (26:03)
• Future of VR and AR (30:37)

About Tommy Kopec:

Tommy Kopec began working as Senior Manager for Digital Medical Education at Zimmer Biomet in July 2022, overseeing extended realities (VR, MR), as well as the online education for HCPs. Previously, Tommy was a tenured Associate Professor of Kinesiology at a university in Birmingham, AL. He also completed his PhD in Human Performance in 2016 from The University of Alabama. Before returning to school for his terminal degree, Tommy worked as a Certified Athletic Trainer at University of South Alabama with their Football and Baseball programs, as well as an outreach athletic trainer with Encore Physical Therapy, covering all athletics at Baker High School in Mobile, AL.

About Zimmer Biomet:

Zimmer Biomet has been based in Warsaw since it was founded in 1927. Today, Zimmer Biomet has operations in more than 25 countries around the world and sells products in more than 100 countries.

Zimmer Bioment’s global team designs, manufactures and markets effective, innovative solutions that support orthopedic surgeons and clinicians in restoring mobility, alleviating pain and improving the quality of life for patients around the world. Our musculoskeletal technologies and a wide range of related products and services make us valuable partners to healthcare providers in more than 100 countries.

We’re building on a strong history of success to enhance the value we provide to healthcare providers and their patients. Zimmer Biomet maintains world-class scientific facilities and resources and collaborates with leading clinicians and researchers around the world.

About ArborXR:

ArborXR helps organizations confidently manage VR & AR devices at scale, remotely install content, and control what users can see and do in the headset. Our mission is to help people live more meaningful lives through the power of XR. Learn more at https://arborxr.com.

Links & Resources:

• Connect with Tommy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-kopec/
• Connect with Brad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-scoggin/
• Connect with Will on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willstackable/