Motionrib Co., Ltd., a venture from Keio University, Keio University Global Research Institute Haptics Research Center, and Yokohama National University have developed a remote control system that enables non-face-to-face PCR sample collection.

 Specimen tests are performed to confirm the presence or absence of infection with the new coronavirus, influenza, etc., but when the medical staff and the subject are face-to-face, the risk of infection by the medical staff becomes an issue.

 Therefore, this group has developed a remote PCR sample collection system in which medical professionals remotely control a robot to collect samples.Since it is possible to collect a sample in a state where the subject and the medical staff are physically isolated, the risk of infection of the medical staff can be reduced.

 This system uses the force-tactile transmission function of "Real Haptics" invented by Keio University.Real haptics allows the robot to move in the same way as the medical staff, and the feeling transmitted to the robot is fed back to the medical staff, so that the medical staff can check the feeling of the hand and not hurt the subject. With gentle movement, it is possible to collect samples by remote control.In fact, in a verification experiment using a model, it was confirmed that medical staff can work intuitively through this system.

 Furthermore, by recording, accumulating and using the operation data of medical staff through the system, the system will be able to automatically perform the same work.In other words, by combining guidance from a separate room for medical staff and automatic operation of this system, automation of sample collection work can be expected in the future.

 It can be said that this system is a result that leads to the solution of problems such as infection risk and burden of medical staff and shortage of supplies in the conventional face-to-face sample collection.

reference:[Keio University] Development of remote PCR sample collection system with force-tactile transmission by real haptics (PDF)

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