ESPINEA® was founded in 2019 by joimax® GmbH based in Karlsruhe, Germany. In its role as the global market leader in endoscopic spinal therapies joimax® felt obligated and therefore launched an initiative of establishing a scientific and evidence-based training, education and research institute with global reach.
Wolfgang Ries
Chairman & Founder of ESPINEA®,
CEO & Founder joimax® Group
J.N. Alastair Gibson
Consultant Spine Surgeon
DSc MD FRCSEd
The University of Edinburgh
Alumnus Edinburgh,
United Kingdom
Dr. Menno Iprenburg
Founder Iprenburg Spine
Clinics Veenhuizen,
The Netherlands
Sang-Ho Lee, MD, Ph.D.
Chairman of Wooridul Spine Hospitals,
Seoul, Korea, Chairman of ESPINEA®
Chapter ASEAN
Michael Wang, MD, FACS
University of Miami,
Chief Surgeon Neurosurgery,
Chairman of ESPINEA® Chapter USA
Yue Zhou, MD, PhD
Chongqing 3rd Military Hospital,
Chief Surgeon Orthopaedics,
Chairman of ESPINEA® Chapter China
Antje Paulsen
Executive & Marketing Assistant
Dr. Jing Hu
Director Clinical
Affairs & Research
Sun Ho
Associate Clinical & Education Manager APAC
ESPINEA® is set up to provide an open academic platform for interested spine physicians to be fully-trained and educated on joimax® endoscopic systems, but also to get to discover and learn new spinal therapy concepts focused on the field of minimally invasive, preferable endoscopic spinal therapy.
The ESPINEA® Endoscopic Spine Academy offers specific support to optimize and shorten the individual learning curve in endoscopic spine surgery. Experience shows each single surgeon will learn quickly how to perform the endoscopic approach and technique through theoretical lectures combined with a variety of hands-on training activities.
Theoretical introduction to full-endoscopic spine surgery by our experienced faculties
Visualization of anatomy and pathology and correct access to the spine on spine models
Experiencing endoscopy & respective instruments on simple but very effective training tools & simulators
Accompanied first real surgeries
Hands-on training on human specimens.
Preclinical training provides a wide range of learning tools to familiarize yourself with endoscopic instruments, devices and procedures for spinal surgery. You learn how to use the instruments, how to orient correctly with the endoscope and do your first full-endoscopic approaches to a spine model.
The clinical training includes the joimax CM3 education program. You can apply your knowledge from the preclinical courses in the cadaver lab and observe experts performing operations. At the end you will perform your own surgeries.
Experience leads to an increase in learning, and the more someone conducts endoscopic spine surgery, the more they improve the technique. ESPINEA® supports future endoscopic spine professionals to quickly improve at the beginning of the learning curve and to develop a safe routine for each indication, procedure and patient.
Everyone has an individual way to learn best. Some might learn more with a theoretical approach while others prefer a practical approach, with hands-on or with observing others. Also, everyone learns and remembers within an individual time frame. ESPINEA®‘s aim is to provide a wide range of didactical and educational options, in order to achieve the most individual and successful learning experience and a shortened individual learning curve. Combining learning experiences of varying kinds will open one’s mind and help to understand and adopt skills and methods. Developing a routine is the next step by conducting and practicing endoscopic spine procedures for various indications and by collecting experience under realistic conditions. Being able to treat all endoscopic spine pathologies is the goal, as well as to be able to conduct research and teach and train others respectively. Training and education are made available for beginners as well as for surgeons with existing experience to deepen and extend knowledge and expertise. A major goal is to provide the opportunity to advance to the next level of expertise in endoscopic spine treatment. Anatomical models, endoscopic tools, simulators and of course the CM3 Education Program ensures high-quality training. Courses, workshops, meetings and literature updates are provided by highly-trained, experienced surgeons and experts.
