Clinical trials and evaluation of a mobile, robotic tele-ultrasound system.
We have developed a robotic tele-ultrasound system (OTELO) that allows an expert to examine a distant patient by ultrasound. At the expert station, a sonographer controls a virtual probe. Movements are reproduced at the patient station, which may be several kilometres away, on a real probe held by a lightweight robot, which is positioned on the patient by a paramedic. Two medical teams tested the tele-ultrasound system at two different hospitals on a total of 52 patients. Except for some difficulties caused by particular conditions, the diagnosis obtained with the remote scanning system agreed in at least 80% of the cases with the diagnosis made by conventional scanning. The results demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the device.
Courreges
Fabien
F
Laboratory of Vision and Robotics, Université d'Orléans, France. fabien.courreges@univ-orleans.fr
Vieyres
Pierre
P
Istepanian
Robert S H
RS
Arbeille
Philippe
P
Bru
Conxita
C
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000379:methods; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012371:Robotics; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods