The best medical robotics reflect care providers’ input
executives should be involved in communicating those benefits to staff and the local community.
Figure 4: ND-series family extends the operating temperature from -20 to +85°C while pressure sensors feature a wide dynamic to serve the job of half a dozen sensors having a more traditional design. More specifically, these components include integrated electronics, advanced piezoresistive elements, an ADC, a DSP, and a digital interface to track pressures from
Conclusion In the U.S., the medical industry’s adoption of robotics has continued unabated for the last decade. Those investments will likely continue as an aging populous relies more heavily on the industry – even while hospital budgets nationwide face serious challenges. After all, robotics can offer long- term operational savings for many routine healthcare functions … not to mention the most advanced options for surgeries and other treatments that are maximally precise and minimally invasive. The caveats here are that adoption of robotics requires the clear mapping of hospital need and suitable robotics solutions; satisfying exceptionally stringent regulatory requirements; and sourcing from medical suppliers capable of long-term design support. At least for most larger hospital systems, robotics programs also require dedicated liaisons with automation expertise to coordinate continuous- improvement efforts. Ultimately, medical-robot offerings should also be thoroughly evaluated through the lenses of patient safety and comfort as well as procedure or treatment efficiency and effectiveness.
networks can let hospitals analyze data to assess robot programs’ effectiveness … which is especially useful where hospital systems aim to scale a given robotics program. Data for satisfying regulatory requirements Cohesive data-management systems can help multi-site hospital networks as well as standalone hospitals, clinics, and surgical centers more efficiently verify satisfaction of government and industry regulations. Sites employing medical robotics are more likely to have unified networks in place, or at least standard Figure 7: Medical-grade isolation transformers support the trouble-free operation of robotics and other equipment with continuous noise filtering and 100% isolation from input ac. UL 60601-1 medical- grade listing with hospital-grade plug and outlet receptacles render the transformers suitable for protecting electronic equipment in patient-care areas. Image: Tripp Lite
Training staff on medical- robot functions Healthcare organizations adopting medical robotics should ensure the technologies are well aligned with caretaker expertise; for all hospital staff who will interface with the new robotics, upfront and continuing
0.25 in. H2O to 5 psi for use in various designs – including automated eye-surgery equipment and autonomous
approaches to connect separate systems. The addition of robotic equipment for critical tasks also benefits from the way in which most healthcare facilities already have in place quick-response power and data backup systems. Of course, medical robotics require stringent physical security and cybersecurity. This often necessitates tightly restricted and monitored access to robotic actuators, controllers, networks, and data storage. Adherence to industry, supplier, and government
vehicles. Image: Superior Sensor Technology Inc.
caregiving, drug delivery, or surgery. Where medical robots rely on IoT data systems for real time information, their compatibility with existing hospital networks is key.
Medical-robot data considerations
training programs should be implemented. Here, standard
training standards can be lacking – so organizations should seek partners to recommend and craft training modules as needed. In addition to training on how to safely operate and maintain robotics (where applicable) such instruction should also include procedures for insurance documentation and billing – complemented by readily accessible manuals and digital refresher modules for hospital staff. Data to support connected operations Data visibility and AI can optimize control over equipment even while imparting deep insight into various roboticized procedures. Then equipment connectivity across
Before full-scale adoption, medical robotics should be evaluated for how they affect patient safety, treatment comfort, and outcomes. Results from previous implementations should be studied to quantify patient-recovery improvements and cost reductions. Medical-robotics programs should also be assessed for how they free existing hospital staff to put more of their focus on patient care – whether in person or remote. Where robotics prove to support hospital systems’ core missions related to quality care, patient satisfaction, and efficiency, hospital
Medical-robot supplier requirements
Medical-robotics engineers, software developers, and suppliers must have extensive knowledge of the best practices associated with the treatment or procedure being motorized or automated. Also required is a keen understanding of underlying business requirements and viable monetization approaches for the industry. Any systems associated with the retention of patient information require secure data management. That applies to both structured data (as held in databases) and unstructured data in text- retaining systems. Excellent network integration and analytics capabilities are core to justifying the extra data-management design efforts with predictive and adaptive system behavior.
regulations must be strictly satisfied and documented.
Figure 5: Components such as tension load cells ensure patient lifts are operating correctly and within design specifications. Image: Loadstar Sensors
Figure 6: USB-to-serial and network-to-serial products can provide the interfaces between medical robotics and equipment not initially designed for connectivity. Data connectivity solutions can also monitor environments that must be tightly controlled – and keep mobile robotics securely and reliably connected. Image: Digi
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