Comparing Conventional Abdominal Ultrasound Scanning Versus a Robotic Assisted Ultrasonography System (ROBUST)

• 10 participating sonographers will be recruited from SGH and SKH to perform abdominal ultrasound scanning.
• 10 healthy volunteers of average body habitus with BMI <30, abdominal circumference <102cm will be recruited.
• Each sonographer will be randomly assigned to scan 1 healthy volunteer. The same volunteer will be scanned twice with an interval of at least 1 month between two scans: once using conventional abdominal ultrasound scanning procedure and once using ROBUST.
• During the session, markers coated with a retroreflective material to reflect light to the motion capture camera will be pasted on participating sonographers on various parts of the upper limb.
• Surface electromyography (sEMG) electrodes will be affixed on sonographers' upper trapezius, deltoid, biceps, triceps, wrist extensors and flexors to monitor muscle activities.
• The healthy volunteer will lie on a plinth with the participating sonographer seated next to him/her. The sonographer will then perform scanning on various abdominal organs following the point of reference and scanning approach as indicated.
• The same ultrasound scanner and probe type will be used on all volunteers by all sonographers.
• Static bilateral grip strength of participating sonographers will be measured using a dynamometer before and after each scan.
• At the end of both scans, participating sonographers will be required to complete a survey on comfort level.
• At the end of both scans, healthy volunteers will be required to complete a survey on satisfaction level.
• The quality of the images from both scans will be rated by 4 readers: 2 consultant radiologists and 2 senior radiographers. A photometer will be used to ensure all readers interpret images directly from a designated monitor under consistent lighting condition.

Inclusion criteria

Sonographer:

-Experienced sonographers/ radiographers with more than 5 years of experience

Healthy volunteer:

• Inclusion criteria: - BMI <30
• Abdominal circumference <102cm

Exclusion criteria

Sonographer:

-Participating sonographers with previously reported work-related or non-work related musculoskeletal discomfort or injury

Healthy volunteer:

-Pregnancy