InTouch Health, Platinum Training partner on surgical 'telementoring'

InTouch Health, known for its telehealth robots, and Platinum Training have agreed to co-develop and co-market two-way video collaboration and broadcast solutions for surgical training and education. The new services will be sold through Platinum's national network of surgical skills labs.

InTouch Health's FDA-approved RP-Vantage "telementoring" system forms the core of the new offerings. RP-Vantage combines remote presence technology with multiple camera "vantage points" designed for surgical mentoring at a distance and remote procedure collaboration in operating and procedure rooms.

This remote mentoring capability will complement in-person medical education programs, moderated interactive training programs, surgeon-to-surgeon lab collaboration and training, live remote lab observation, and lab session recording and postproduction.

InTouch Health also makes telemedicine systems that allow community hospitals and emergency departments to consult with specialists in other institutions. Its FDA-approved systems enable physicians to remotely operate a robot that can examine patients in the hospital.

Recently, InTouch partnered with iRobot, maker of the Roomba and other "practical robots," to explore opportunities for using iRobot's products in healthcare. The two companies plan to create new telemedicine solutions that will utilize more sophisticated robots and could eventually find their way into patients' homes.

Commenting on the company's pact with Platinum Training, Charlie Huiner, vice president of marketing and business development for InTouch Health, said in an announcement that the goal is to "leverage innovative technology" to enhance surgical training. "We expect to greatly improve clinician access while also reducing travel and related expenses," Huiner said.

To learn more:
- read the announcement
- check out this InformationWeek Healthcare article about InTouch Health and iRobot
- go to the InTouch website for more information on RP Vantage