-This paper proposes a tele-instruction system for ultrasound probe operation, based on shared Augmented Reality (AR) technology. Telemedicine, a strategy to diminish geographic gaps in the quality of medical service, is fashionable. However, existing medical-data transmission systems cannot convey the skills of physicians, so they cannot eliminate the problem of geographic gaps.This research developed a telemedicine system that transports physicians' skills over a shared AR space. The shared AR technology provides an environment where users can exchange spatial information, and facilitates smooth communication. This research concentrates on interfaces for physicians and technicians at the patient site. The proposed system provides intuitive and unrestricted interfaces for the physician and technician, using a data projector and an LCD tablet. At the patient site, instructions for the technician are projected directly onto the patient's body, using a data projector. The physician site allows the physician to send instructions on probe operation using an LCD tablet. This information is displayed as a "web-mark", which provides spatial information for ultrasound probe operation. Furthermore, the system sends environmental information about the patient to the physician, such as the technician's behavior and patient's posture, via an immersive display. The proposed system was tested with a physician using real telediagnosis. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method in providing smooth communication in telemedicine.. . . .
Keywords -telemedicine, tele-instruction, shared AR space, ultrasound probe operations, web-mark
I. INTRODUCTIONTelemedicine is a new medical service model that enables a patient to receive medical services without visiting a hospital by connecting medical sites and patients. Existing telemedicine systems use conventional multi-media communications that can handle medical data, such as vital signs, X-ray and CT images, and so on [1-2]. Such systems require physicians or medical technicians with sufficient skill to provide appropriate medical service to the patient. However, skilled persons are not always available, and an unskilled person may require the help of a specialist to obtain appropriate medical data. In such cases, the specialist must transmit instructions on how to handle medical devices with the utmost care and patience, as direct communication using manual manipulation is not available with any existing telemedicine system. This paper proposes an innovative telemedicine system that enables direct instruction, in which the participants share the same time and space via a network.. This research is partly funded by THE INAMORI FOUNDATION and JSPS-RFTF 99I00905.
II. METHODSTelemedicine systems that use popular, universal medical devices are the most effective. Therefore, the authors are developing a telemedicine system that uses an ultrasound diagnostic device that is widely available, even in small clinics [3-4]. As mentioned above, good communication is...