Remote-Controlled Telerobotic Ultrasound Could Revolutionize Telemedicine

Researchers are testing whether telerobotic ultrasound technology could be used to provide critical healthcare services to resource-poor areas of the world with results comparable to those of manual ultrasound examinations.

The new technology, called Tele Robotic Ultrasound for Distance Imaging (TRUDI), enables an operator to perform an ultrasound exam using an Internet connection, from any location. The ultrasound system is part of a robotic kiosk and can be moved rapidly to perform an examination by the remote operator.

The ultrasound system is based on a Personal Computer (PC) platform and was made by Telemed Ultrasound Medical Systems (Milano, Italy). The system is still in the early stages of development, but has the potential for providing critical healthcare to resource-poor areas of the world. The technology could cut life-threatening waiting times for diagnosis of patients with heart failure for example, who often do not have access to a specialist. The technology could also be used in the future for advanced cardiac procedures such as transcutaneous valve replacements. Other uses could be for examinations by a fetal ultrasound specialist in hard-to-reach rural communities, anywhere in the world, reducing maternal mortality by providing access to antenatal care in developing countries.

Vikram Dogra, MD, director of ultrasound and professor of radiology and biomedical engineering, University of Rochester (New York, USA), said, "Telerobotic ultrasound has the potential to revolutionize telemedicine by connecting the remote underserved areas of the world with a real-time imaging capability for diagnosis of acute diseases such as acute appendicitis and ectopic pregnancy.”

Related Links:
Telemed Ultrasound Medical Systems