Umeå

Skellefteå

Remote Controlled Robot to Perform Echocardiography on Distance

Luleå 21th September, 2005

K Boman, Professor of MedicineHeartNet, SkellefteåUmeå university, Sweden

Umeå

Skellefteå

Remote Controlled Robot to Perform Echocardiography on Distance

Luleå 21th September, 2005

K Boman, Professor of MedicineHeartNet, SkellefteåUmeå university, Sweden

HeartNet, Cardista (EU-projects)

Luleå University of Technology

Skeria, Skellefteå

Alkit Communications, Luleå

Mobile Robotics, Skellefteå

Partners in the Project:

Umeå

Skellefteå

Artic circle

Luleå

EU project since 2001

Remote controlled echocardiography

”Second Generation” Telemedicine

• Support demanding distance investigations

• Achieve high communication quality

• Create a module based communication environment,

• Utilize the broadband potentials

• Utilize standard desktop computers

• Access patient information directly in the telemedicine situation

• Combine synchronous and asynchronous communication

• Support regional development:•- move knowledge to the patient•- “export” top expertise services to other regions

The general background in Northern Sweden:

• Long distances.

• Expensive transports.

• Limited access to cardiac expertise

• More elderly people will need health care, nursing and rehabilitation.

• New kinds of hospitals, smaller but more specialized towards acute treatment.

The general background in Northern Sweden:

• Increased preventive and knowledge-based health care.

• More physically and mentally active people in high age will be found among patients and their relatives.

• An increased usage of IT within health care itself.

• More treatment and rehabilitation of patients at their homes.

Congestive Heart failure (CHF)Background:

• CHF is the only cardiovascular condition in which both the prevalence and the incidence continue to rise1

• CHF is the leading cause of hospitalisation amongst the >65 year age group3

• Annual inpatient and outpatient expenditure on CHF in Sweden has been estimated at SEK 2.6 billion2

1Yamani & Massie (1993); 1Yamani & Massie (1993); 2Rydén-Bergsten et al (1999); 2Rydén-Bergsten et al (1999); 3Graves & Bilium (1996); 3Graves & Bilium (1996);

• Correct diagnosis.

• Early diagnosis

• Optimal treatment

• Managed care

• Follow-up of selected patients.

• Improved prognosis

• Lower cost

Clinical goals for patients in rural areas.

Proposed projects from 2001-2005

• System for improved communication between primary System for improved communication between primary

health care centers and specialist. health care centers and specialist.

• Develop diagnostic algorithms for heart failure, focusing Develop diagnostic algorithms for heart failure, focusing

on echocardiography on distance.on echocardiography on distance.

• A system to improve quality in health care managing A system to improve quality in health care managing

process.process.

• Improved therapy by optimizing heart failure treatmentImproved therapy by optimizing heart failure treatment

• New products and servicesNew products and services

Project developement

2001: Clinical and scientific cooperation with primary health care.

2002: Echocardiography with portable echomachine and consultation at the

primary

health care center.

2003: Echocardiography with portable echomachine and consultation through

telemedicine as a videoconference.

2004: Remoted-controlled echocardiography and consultation using broadband

and Internet

2005: Clinical tests in daily care at rural health care centers

Echocardiography on distance

Interactivity on-line

Patient side Specialist side

A Mobile, Remote Controlled,

Sonographer Support, that holds

the transducer during the

ultrasound examination of a

patient.

Components and technical specifications for Medirob

Medirob holds the transducer

Ultrasonix

Ultrasound scanning system from any vendor on the market.

Ultrasound scanning system from any vendor on the market.

The transducer* is placed in the transducer holder on the Medirob.

The transducer* is placed in the transducer holder on the Medirob.

View of empty transducer holder.

View of empty transducer holder.

*A transducer is an electronic device that converts energy from one form to another. It is a small, hand-held device attached to the scanner by a cord. The sonographer presses the transducer firmly against the patients skin to obtain images.

*A transducer is an electronic device that converts energy from one form to another. It is a small, hand-held device attached to the scanner by a cord. The sonographer presses the transducer firmly against the patients skin to obtain images.

The Goals:

• Shortening time to diagnosis

• Saving money for Health Care System

• Easing agony and suffering for patients

• Obtain technical clarification

• Diagnose 30 patients in daily care using standard level communication technology (H 323 platform 5-10 Mbit)

• Diagnose 30 patients in daily care using high level communication technology (Confero system 20-40 Mbit)

A Clinical Test in Northern Sweden

Skellefteå

Gothenburg Nov 2004

Umeå Sept 2004

Norsjö 2005

Arvidsjaur 2006Tromsö May 2005

Performed and planned tests

Possible applications of remote-controlled echocardiography :

-Clinical:

-Telemedical consultations in remote areas

- Ergonomy for sonographers

-Special areas- dangerous areas: war and emergency situations, - chemical and bacterilogical poisoned areas,- radiation poisoned areas

Ready to go!!