My Work on Versius

From 2018 to 2022, I served as a Human Factors Engineer then Clinical Data Scientist at CMR Surgical, and contributed to the development of the world's next-generation surgical robotic system, Versius.

CMR's mission is to: "Tranform surgery, for good" - By democratising the benefits of laparoscopic surgery through robotics. To reflect this, Versius is designed to be to be portable, modular, cost-effective, and intuitive.
Human Factors Engineering
Usability study scene featuring Versius

As a Human Factors Engineer, my job was to ensure that Versius was safe and effective for use. That meant having intimate knowledge of the entire surgical system, including its hardware (console, arms ("BSU"), instruments, etc.), software (GUIs), and the cultural, practical, and regulatory context in which it would be used.

My responsibilities as a Human Factors Engineer included:

  • Usability risk management
  • Curriculum development & validation for professional education
  • Formative & summative usability testing
  • Conducting clinical engineering studies (porcine & cadaveric)
  • Supporting system verification activities (EMC, excelarated life testing, etc.)
Clinical Data Science
Matthew Barty using the Versius surgical robotic system

Transitioning to Clinical Data Science, my focus shifted to the data-driven, real world evidence side of Versius. I analyzed data from surgical cases to discern patterns, visualize information, and provide insights that fine-tuned surgical procedures and supported product development.

One of the key challenges was handling vast amounts of surgical data, ensuring its integrity, and interpreting it in a way that was meaningful for clinical applications. I worked cross-functionally with software engineers, clinicians, and the regulatory affairs team to process this data to drive product improvements.

My responsibilities as a Clinical Data Scientist included:
  • Standardizing the data collection process from surgeries,
  • Applying statistical methods to affirm the Versius system's real-world effectiveness and safety,
  • Producing reports for regulatory bodies, stakeholders, and customers highlighting Versius's safety and performance, and
  • Partnering with diverse teams to embed data-driven insights into product development
On Reflection
CMR Surgical Clinical Engineering team having lunch

I'm grateful for my time at CMR, and am proud to have played my part in tranforming surgery, for good - In addition to having the privledge to have worked with some of the most fun, ambitious, and talented people I've ever met! It in genuinely surreal to see Versius out in the world, changing the lives of patients, surgeons, and the wider surgical community - Just awesome !!

CMR presented a unique platform where I honed my skills in human factors engineering and clinical data science. By integrating qualitative user-centered design with rigorous statistical analyses, I gained a comprehensive insight into both the user experience and the clinical aspects of Versius. This multifaceted approach was instrumental in ensuring that Versius met the surgical community's needs and elevated patient care.