Even if they’re wearing face shields and masks, healthcare workers can still understandably be quite leery of getting up close and personal with pat

Sampling robot lets clinicians keep their distance from patients

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2020-07-03 19:05:48

Even if they’re wearing face shields and masks, healthcare workers can still understandably be quite leery of getting up close and personal with patients who may have COVID-19. That’s where a new robotic system comes in, as it lets clinicians take samples at a distance.

Developed by scientists at the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM) and the Dongguk University College of Medicine, the prototype system consists of a computer-based set of controls in one area, and the actual robot in another. Patients seat themselves at the latter, utilizing a chin rest and forehead rest to properly position their head against the device.

Guided by real-time video from an attached video camera, the clinician then manipulates the controls, sending in the robot’s disposable swab to obtain samples from the patient’s nose and mouth.

A joystick-like control moves the swab up and down, back and forth, while a sliding rod-shaped control is used to move it in and out. A force feedback setup in the second control replicates the resistance being experienced by the actual swab, so the operator knows not to apply too much pressure.