Robot platform for ultrasound scans (RoPCA)

The Robot Platform can be used for diagnostics and assessment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

The robot consists of an arm attached to a table with a glass plate where the patient places the hand for scanning. Sensors on the robot analyses or “feels” the hand to ensure that the right places are scanned without putting too much pressure on the hand. After each scan, the data is saved and analysed and given a score based on the rheumatoid activity in the hand.

AIM

The aim for RoPCA is to ensure a systematic and uniform method for performing the ultrasound scan, which will give the doctors the best possible basis for creating a treatment plan. Such a systematic scan is not possible today, and the doctor’s manual scan is not as accurate or systematic.

The scanning robot has a lot of potential when perfected. It has potential to be used for diagnostics of other diseases, i.e. at the cardiac unit or in the emergency room.

RESULTS

The project has resulted in the company Ropca Holding Aps which will continue working with the technology and develop the prototype into a product useable in clinical practice.

Read more about the technical aspects of the project and further developments on the RoPCA website.

This project involves robot technology, and is therefore stationed in the Centre for Clinical Robotics. Read the project description at CCR.

PARTNERS

The robot is developed by Professor Thiusius Rajeeth Savarimuthu from SDU Robotics, the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Institute at SDU and Consultant Søren Andreas Just from the Department of Internal Medicine and Acute Medicine  in close collaboration with engineers at SDU, clinical staff at OUH and the innovation consultants in CIMT.

EXTERNAL FUNDING

In the spring of 2017, scientists from SDU and OUH were awarded DKK 2 million under the strategic research focus area of welfare innovation to develop and test the new robot platform to make it usable in the daily practice at the hospital.