Comparing conventional abdominal ultrasound scanning versus a ROBotic assisted UltraSonography sysTem (ROBUST)

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) among sonographers is a major problem with a high prevalence rate of more than 80% in North America and United Kingdom. In Singapore, this is particularly relevant because statistics have showed WRMSD accounted for 60% of all confirmed occupational diseases cases. The ROBotic UltraSonography sysTem (ROBUST) was developed to overcome the WRMSD challenges sonographers faced in their daily clinical practice and, more importantly, increase their career longevity and productivity. To evaluate the effectiveness of ROBUST in producing diagnostic images equivalent to conventional ultrasound (US) scans and to assess its clinical feasibility and receptiveness. A total of 50 adult patients from two tertiary hospitals underwent conventional abdominal US followed by ROBUST scans. Six sonographers performed the US scans using the standard protocol. Four expert readers, blinded to the scanning methods, graded the image quality of 2,218 images (1,317 conventional, 901 ROBUST). Surveys were distributed immediately after the scan to assess the patient’s and sonographers’ opinions on maneuverability, pain, and comfort. Wilcoxon signed rank test showed no significant difference between conventional US and ROBUST for image quality (p = 0.317). Sixteen (16/50 = 32%) patients responded feeling slight to moderate pain when scanned by ROBUST (p = 0.251). All the sonographers felt that the imaging task using ROBUST was not physically strenuous. One sonographer felt that the ROBUST was easy to manipulate; two were neutral (p = 0.007), and three experienced difficulties manipulating the ROBUST. ROBUST can produce diagnostic images equivalent to conventional scans. It is feasible in clinical settings with good acceptance by sonographers and patients. Adoption of this innovation in clinical practice could potentially increase career longevity and productivity by alleviating pain and discomfort experienced by sonographers.