Five more years at the cutting edge of surgical technology is coming to West Chester. The more-than-half-century collaboration between medical device maker DePuy Synthes and global surgeon educator AO Foundation has officially been extended through 2020, according to a recent company announcement.

“The AO Foundation and DePuy Synthes Companies have maintained a strong relationship for 55 years because of a shared passion for advancing patient care,” International Markets Group Chairman Ciro Roemer said. “Bringing together the unique perspectives of DePuy Synthes Companies and the AO will help us accurately identify and effectively solve the most pressing clinical issues in musculoskeletal surgery and then teach clinicians to appropriately use those solutions.”

DePuy Synthes’ role as key industry partner in the longstanding collaboration is to develop new surgical products, while AO’s Technical Commission provides research, development, clinical investigation and education to more than 200,000 health care professionals — primarily surgeons, operating room personnel and scientists — in 124 countries who specialize in trauma and corrective surgery of the musculoskeletal system, spine and face, as well as veterinary products and related instruments and implants.