A mixed reality telemedicine system for collaborative ultrasound diagnostics and ultrasound-guided interventions

In acute care settings (emergency room [ER], intensive care unit [ICU], operating room [OR]), it is common for inexperienced physicians to have problems making an ultrasound (US) diagnosis, so they have to consult an expert. In this article, we would like to present a methodology by which geographic...

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Main Authors: Stefan Maas, Peter Kopacsi, Peter Kovacs, Arnaud Bosteels
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AboutScience Srl 2022-04-01
Series:AboutOpen
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.aboutscience.eu/index.php/aboutopen/article/view/2394
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author Stefan Maas
Peter Kopacsi
Peter Kovacs
Arnaud Bosteels
author_facet Stefan Maas
Peter Kopacsi
Peter Kovacs
Arnaud Bosteels
author_sort Stefan Maas
collection DOAJ
description In acute care settings (emergency room [ER], intensive care unit [ICU], operating room [OR]), it is common for inexperienced physicians to have problems making an ultrasound (US) diagnosis, so they have to consult an expert. In this article, we would like to present a methodology by which geographically independent expert physicians can engage during an US examination through virtual and augmented reality. The expert can view the set-up and the US images obtained by the examiner and discuss the clinical case over video chat. In turn, s/he can advise on the proper positioning of the US transducer on the patient with the help of a virtual US transducer. This technology can be used to obtain experts’ opinion from a remote location, whether it is inside a hospital or many miles away. Similarly, it can be used for distant training; whatever the indication, it will lead to improved care. We discuss two different use cases inside an ER: US for a Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) examination and US for the insertion of a central venous catheter (CVC). Currently, we position this technology to Technology Readiness Level 2, as the concept is formulated and the practical application is identified. The basic properties of algorithms are defined and the basic principles are coded. We performed experiments with parts of the technology in an artificial environment. We asked a doctor, Arnaud Bosteels, to review this method and create this article together.
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spelling doaj.art-ceb6facaf5e343b79a9e33e9df063cb82022-12-22T02:02:35ZengAboutScience SrlAboutOpen2465-26282022-04-019110.33393/ao.2022.2394A mixed reality telemedicine system for collaborative ultrasound diagnostics and ultrasound-guided interventionsStefan Maas0Peter Kopacsi1Peter Kovacs2Arnaud Bosteels3SomaView GmbH, Research and Development, Bochum - GermanyInstitute for Computer Science and Control (SZTAKI), Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Machine Perception Research Laboratory, Group of Shared Virtual Reality, Budapest - HungaryInstitute for Computer Science and Control (SZTAKI), Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), Machine Perception Research Laboratory, Group of Shared Virtual Reality, Budapest - HungaryClinique Saint-Jean, Department of Anesthesiology and Virtual Reality, Brussels - BelgiumIn acute care settings (emergency room [ER], intensive care unit [ICU], operating room [OR]), it is common for inexperienced physicians to have problems making an ultrasound (US) diagnosis, so they have to consult an expert. In this article, we would like to present a methodology by which geographically independent expert physicians can engage during an US examination through virtual and augmented reality. The expert can view the set-up and the US images obtained by the examiner and discuss the clinical case over video chat. In turn, s/he can advise on the proper positioning of the US transducer on the patient with the help of a virtual US transducer. This technology can be used to obtain experts’ opinion from a remote location, whether it is inside a hospital or many miles away. Similarly, it can be used for distant training; whatever the indication, it will lead to improved care. We discuss two different use cases inside an ER: US for a Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) examination and US for the insertion of a central venous catheter (CVC). Currently, we position this technology to Technology Readiness Level 2, as the concept is formulated and the practical application is identified. The basic properties of algorithms are defined and the basic principles are coded. We performed experiments with parts of the technology in an artificial environment. We asked a doctor, Arnaud Bosteels, to review this method and create this article together. https://journals.aboutscience.eu/index.php/aboutopen/article/view/2394Acute careMixed realityRemote assistanceTelemedicineUltrasound examinationUltrasound-guided interventions
spellingShingle Stefan Maas
Peter Kopacsi
Peter Kovacs
Arnaud Bosteels
A mixed reality telemedicine system for collaborative ultrasound diagnostics and ultrasound-guided interventions
AboutOpen
Acute care
Mixed reality
Remote assistance
Telemedicine
Ultrasound examination
Ultrasound-guided interventions
title A mixed reality telemedicine system for collaborative ultrasound diagnostics and ultrasound-guided interventions
title_full A mixed reality telemedicine system for collaborative ultrasound diagnostics and ultrasound-guided interventions
title_fullStr A mixed reality telemedicine system for collaborative ultrasound diagnostics and ultrasound-guided interventions
title_full_unstemmed A mixed reality telemedicine system for collaborative ultrasound diagnostics and ultrasound-guided interventions
title_short A mixed reality telemedicine system for collaborative ultrasound diagnostics and ultrasound-guided interventions
title_sort mixed reality telemedicine system for collaborative ultrasound diagnostics and ultrasound guided interventions
topic Acute care
Mixed reality
Remote assistance
Telemedicine
Ultrasound examination
Ultrasound-guided interventions
url https://journals.aboutscience.eu/index.php/aboutopen/article/view/2394
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