Key points from article :
Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed a robotic ultrasound system capable of autonomously examining patients and assisting surgeons during operations.
The system, equipped with artificial intelligence, can generate 3D images of blood vessels, analyze physiological parameters, and detect anomalies like constrictions.
In medical offices, the system can relieve doctors of routine tasks, providing them with results for patient care and counseling.
In operating rooms, surgeons can use the system for hands-free imaging during procedures like spinal injections and vertebral fracture detection.
The autonomous system offers advantages such as 3D imaging, data comparability over time, and the potential for health scans in remote locations without medical experts.
To build trust with patients, the researchers are developing a human-machine interaction that includes animations and demonstrations of the robot's capabilities.
The study is published in the journal Annual Review of Control, Robotics, and Autonomous Systems.
