Tele-Operated Sonography
The internet has been utilized to enhance the delivery of health care services in a variety of ways. For example, the use of
teleradiology has greatly improved access to diagnostic imaging interpretations and expert consultations. Using teleradiology allows imaging data to be reviewed from distant locations with interpretations provided 24/7. Teleradiology has proven useful and cost-effective for interpretations of imaging examinations performed in developed countries like the United States and Canada during off-hours. It has also proven to facilitate diagnoses of patients located in remote areas such as
Africa and Antarctica where access to expert physician interpretations can be limited. Teleradiology and, in particular, tele-sonography, have even been used to evaluate astronauts on the
International Space Station.
But the use of tele-sonography has been limited to the remote evaluation of images obtained at distant sites. What if the actual examinations could be performed remotely? The concept of a "tele-operated" sonography system has been explored for several years. Recently, researchers in France debuted just such a system. Imagine the possibilities! Tele-sonography scanners could allow experienced sonographers to perform scans on patients that are in the ICU of their own hospital, at a trauma scene across town or in a health clinic half way around the world.
Tele-operated sonography scanners could have an even bigger impact than tele-radiology on improving health care--especially in developing countries. You can see a short video demonstration here.