Objective
MIDSTEP project objectives are to realise two demonstrators for Telesurgery, one for Interventional Ultrasound demonstrator (Telescanning) and one for Minimal Invasive Surgery ( Laparascopy). With the Telescanning demonstrator, the remote clinician will be able to serve a number of facilities to take a biopsy with the help of an ultrasound system. The Laparoscopic demonstrator will allow the performance of ultrasound with surgeons in the operation room and a remote ultrasound radiologist.
User needs specification
The report "Telesurgery Requirements Specification" has been prepared. The major outcome of this work considered the user need requirements from the clinical partners concerning the core functions of the robot-station, communication latency human-machine ergonomics, equipment to be used by the robot, safety standards to be ensured and all other relevant requirements to develop a similar workstation. The user needs analysis has been carried out with a questionnaire submitted to all consortium partners.
Architecture specifications
This work addresses the definition of the system architecture as well as all the issues related to demonstrator functions. The sub-systems identified are the robotics, the HCI, the image acquisition and processing and the networking subsystem. A special role will be played by the security and safety sub-systems that will monitor the functioning of the entire central-robot demonstrator.
In parallel to technical work, a first market research analysis has been carried out to identify the state of the art of the technology and market issues relevant to the outcome of the project.
Furthermore a co-operation framework has been defined with two other robotics projects within ACTS to carry out concertation activities and common trials.
Expected Impact
MIDSTEP key issues consist in contributing to the advancing of generic technology and in demonstrating the benefits of telepresence in telesurgery. The value added brought by MIDSTEP will benefit to the R&D policy as well as the European Cohesion policy, considering that the project results will be tested, validated and implemented as widely as possible over the Community territory.
Summarising, MIDSTEP will positively impact the following sectors:
new advanced technology of telepresence, image acquisition and processing, robotics, IT and networking in
telemedicine;
the Trans European Network;
medical service in rural areas and peripheral regions;
cost-benefits in medicine, with a better service for patients and better use of medical skills.
Main contributions to the programme objectives:
Main deliverables
Tele-surgery system and extensive trial for clinical validation
Contribution to the programme
Contributed to the provision of specialised medical services in rural areas and peripheral regions and better use of medical skills
Technical Approach
The project will contribute to the progress of R&D in Telepresence focusing on the following areas:
audio and video image acquisition and processing;
augmented reality and perception by the human in a remote environment;
robotics;
ergonomics and human computer interface;
standardisation trials and participation to new standards definition;
bandwidth requirements for networking and audio-video compression in networking:
security and safety for processing and communication quality in telemedicine.
Summary of Trial
The validation plan covers both laboratory and clinical validation:
The laboratory validation plan for Telescanning will be held in the following centres:
Sapienza(I), UBHT(UK), UNIVDUN (UK), UoT(D) and Oporto Univ.(P).
and the laboratory validation plan for Laparoscopy will be held in the following centres:
Sapienza(I), UNIVDUN(UK), UoT(D) and EAES(NL).
This laboratory validation test plan covers bench tests, phantom tests and animal tests.Bench tests are carried out at the technology sites and at UBHT. La Sapienza, UNIVDUN and UoT are involved in both research lines. Phantom tests first need the construction of specially designed anatomical models, possibly integrated with animal tissue.
The clinical validation for Telescanning will be held in the following centres:
Sapienza(I), UBHT(UK), UNIVDUN (UK), UoT (D) and Oporto Univ.(P).
and the clinical validation plan for Laparoscopy will be held in the following centres:
Sapienza (I), UNIVDUN(UK), UoT(D) and EAES (NL).
Key Issues
The project key issues by area are the following:
Image Acquisition and Processing
integration of 2D ultrasound and video images;
creating of a 3D virtual environment for remote manipulation;
controlling compression factors of images transmitted down communication channels.
Human Computer Interface (HCI
to mix together the telepresence and the supervisor control concepts.
Robotics
manual, semi-autonomous and autonomous modes (with task constraints like keeping the probe in the incision);
operator command filtering and collision avoidance assistance function;
safety strategy for telerobotics;
the performance of telerobotics systems.
Security system
maintenance of confidentiality of the personal data of the patient ;
dependability of any technology possibly employed during a medical treatment.
Networking
user satisfaction evaluation, quality of service and user friendliness;
comparative technical network evaluation, using specific test equipment used in a test campaign (RFC 1242), to measure latency, frame loss rate, link speed, characterising IP data flow over ATM.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine surgery
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering robotics
- social sciences psychology ergonomics
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software software applications simulation software
- natural sciences physical sciences acoustics ultrasound
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
00156 Roma
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.