Advanced mechatronics improves hosital ergonomics

A multi-disciplinary team of Philips Applied Technologies has developed technology with which medical devices can be remotely controlled while actually feeling the force that is applied on the human body by the device. With this technology the team built an ultrasound scanner allowing the medic to scan in a position that is not causing strains, being able to operate another device as well and without running the risk to be exposed to radiation such as X-ray. The so-called Tele-Operated Ultrasound Probe (TOUP) is now being tested at a hospital in London and first users’ reactions are very encouraging.