MARTE project: Tele-echography between Kyperounta and Nicosia (Cyprus)

Abstract

Ultrasound experts, who are few and not always on hand when needed, have now the tool and the possibility to examine patients from a distance, and thus perform a complete diagnosis without being in the same geographical position with the patient. This is possible thanks to a telemedicine system aiming to provide the possibility to examine a remote patient using a tele-operated controlled robot. In the frame of this project, different validations have been performed to show the technical performances of the teleoperated chain and the repercussions on the clinical aspect. The clinical validation is the crucial part for the validation of the overall concept of tele-echography. Thus, various specialities were investigated all throughout the project life, with the participation of different medical experts from several countries, namely France, Spain and Cyprus. Copyright © 2006 IFAC.