New studies show benefits of robot-assisted ultrasound imaging

New research has been published that demonstrates the potentially significant clinical benefits and utility of new robot-assisted ultrasound imaging technology.

Carried out by Mount Sinai Medical Center and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the two studies demonstrated how these small, lightweight robotic arms with built-in ultrasound technology can greatly enhance access to care and enable new remote treatment options.

In the first study, a doctor was able to conduct an efficient examination of a Boston patient's carotid artery from his location in Munich in just four minutes, by connecting to the robotic arm via a low-bandwidth web connection.

Meanwhile, the second saw robot-assisted echocardiogram tests used in video e-consultations, helping to reduce waiting times for diagnosis faced by heart failure patients in rural communities from 114 days to 27 days.

Dr Jagat Narula, senior author of both research studies, said: "The two studies give us a glimpse of what to expect in the near future – a patient-friendly imaging technology at your doorstep."

Such technology could also be useful in the UK, where the government is keen for telehealth and e-consultations to become more widespread in order to ensure patients can access consultations and care more easily.