2012 Volume 21 Pages 43-53
We propose a wearable tele-echography robot system: FASTele. The focused assessment with sonography for trauma (FAST) system is important for patients who is in a state of shock resulting from internal bleeding. However, the patient requires quick treatment, and transportation to a hospital may take too long. A system which enables FAST to be carried out more quickly is required. Therefore, we aim to develop a tele-echography (FAST) robot system which can be easily used by a paramedic or a bystander for patients in shock. The system can be used in-situ or in an ambulance. Portability and usability are significant issues. We developed a FAST robot system which has 4-DOF. The robot is attached roughly to each area of the patient’s body covered by the FAST body-based set up and the position is then remotely fine-tuned by a specialist in a hospital. The robot can be used to control the position and angle of the probe by curved rails. A mechanism that passively maintains the contact force between the probe and patient’s body surface by using mechanical springs enables the robot to be both small and light. Feasibility experiments of FAST are reported.
