Development of a robot system for carotid arterial measurement by ultrasonography

Abstract

[Purpose]Ultrasonography is one of widely used noninvasive and convenient methods. However, relatively large measurement variability is a problem to be solved. We developed a robot system for carotid arterial measurement by ultrasonography. In this study, we evaluated variability of the measurements of intima media thickness and carotid arterial diameter. [Methods] The robot consisted of one arm with 6-axis, which is operated by remote control with a probe shaped controller. Data acquisition was executed according to the sign which indicated the distinct intima separated from adventitia by echo-transparent media layer. The variability was measured by two observers with or without the robot system. [Results] There was no difference in acquisition time between the measurements with or without robot. However, variabilities of the measurements with the robot were lower than that without the robot (p<0.05). [Conclusion] The robot system has a potential to reduce variability of ultrasonographic measurements