Human Tele-ultrasound using Mixed Reality: Validation and Optimization

In remote and especially indigenous communities, access to expert healthcare is often lacking. Human Teleoperation is a novel framework in which the input and actuation are carried out by people, but with robot-like precision. This is achieved by having a follower wearing a headset follow a virtual tool that is projected into their scene and controlled in real time by a remote expert. We are developing a tele-ultrasound system in which the virtual tool is an ultrasound transducer. By tracking the position and force of the virtual transducer with their real one, a person without medical experience (the novice or “follower”) can perform ultrasound procedures efficiently, controlled by an expert – a sonographer or radiologist (the expert or “leader’). By partnering with Rogers, we can leverage their communications expertise, infrastructure, and outreach programs to ensure successful translation of our technology to practical use for remote and indigenous communities across Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

Septimiu (Tim) Salcudean;Helge Rhodin

Student:

Partner:

Rogers Communications Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Information and cultural industries

University:

The University of British Columbia

Program: