a tele-operated robotic solution for remote ultrasound procedures
Combining medical robotics and human expertise
Designed and industrialised by AdEchoTech, it allows doctors to perform high-precision examinations by remotely controlling a robotic ultrasound probe in real time, while maintaining full control over the medical procedure and ultrasound settings.
This patented French technology is designed to overcome the problem of distance in medical imaging, without ever replacing the medical staff or compromising the quality of healthcare.
Technology in the service of medical procedures
The result of 15 years of research, MELODY was developed in partnership with CNES (the National Centre for Space Studies), the European Space Agency, and several university hospitals. It is the world's first robotic tele-ultrasound solution, combining robotics, medical imaging, and real-time connectivity. This solution does not replace the doctor, it allows them to work further afield, makes them more accessible, and gives them the means to do their job, everywhere.
Total medical control: every movement is faithfully reproduced through the probe
The interface is intuitive and easy to learn how to use
Compatible with all ultrasound equipment and video conferencing systems
Simple on-site operator training in 1 hour
At the practitioner's site
The radiologist, or medical imaging physician or sonographer works in an office, a hospital/clinic or even in a secure teleworking setting.
They have the MELODY Expert system, which features:
- A twin probe, to simulate hand movements, as happens during a normal examination
- A dedicated screen showing real-time ultrasound images from the patient’s location with the option to remotely control the ultrasound settings (gain, focus, Doppler, freeze, etc.) or even take measurements, images or video clips
- High-quality video conferencing allows them to talk to the patient and the operator, to make it easier to communicate
The doctor retains full control of the examination, as if they were physically present with the patient. This allows them to assume medical responsibility with complete confidence.
At the patient's site
The patient visits a nearby facility (e.g. a local hospital, nursing home, health centre or prison) with a healthcare professional who is not an ultrasound specialist but who has been trained to use MELODY (e.g. a nurse, care assistant, radiographer, etc.).
The healthcare professional sets up the MELODY patient system including:
- The teleoperable robotic arm, which supports a standard ultrasound probe (convex, linear, cardiac probe, etc.)
- An ultrasound machine
- An encrypted video conferencing and data exchange system
The operator positions the robot on the patient’s body on the area for examination, according to the doctor’s instructions, and stays with the patient to ensure the examination goes smoothly.
No ultrasound procedure is performed by the on-site operator: the robotic arm precisely reproduces the remote doctor’s movements in real time.
The specialist views the screen of the ultrasound located at the patient site and may modify its parameters in real time (change of the gain, taking measurements, colour Doppler, etc.)
Video conferencing allows the doctor and patient to interact as if they were in the exam room
The specialist’s actions are reproduced at the remote site, identically and in real time, using a “twin” probe
MELODY was designed to operate in even the most isolated areas, with a simple connection from 2 Mbit/s. Compatible with ADSL, Fibre, 3G+, 4G, 5G, radio or satellite, it ensures the seamless, secure transmission of images, instructions and video conferencing, for a complete real-time medical experience, with no compromise in quality.
Its medical uses
General imaging
Monitoring for the thyroid, gall bladder, liver, kidneys, spleen, etc.
Cardiology
Heart failure, heart attack monitoring, etc.
Obstetrics
Pregnancy monitoring, screening for birth defects, etc.
Paediatrics
Appendicitis, intussusception, urinary infections, etc.
Vascular / Doppler
thrombosis, aneurysm, arterial and venous flow monitoring, etc.
Urology
Search for obstruction, hematuria assessment, etc.
How
works
MELODY relies on a dual connected interface: the doctor remotely controls the probe from an expert station, while a robot reproduces their movements on the patient, with pinpoint accuracy.
The doctor can also control the ultrasound machine in real time to refine the image and take measurements.
Medical and organisational benefits
MELODY adds value at every level of the care pathway. It optimises the organisation of care facilities and experts while improving the patient’s experience.
For specialist doctors
- Total control guaranteed over the probe, the images and the settings, as if you were there in person
- Expand your practice and your patient base, without geographical constraints or loss of quality
- Easier teleworking, while maintaining diagnostic precision
- Increased confidence thanks to precision mirroring of the ultrasound procedure
For healthcare facilities
- Optimise your ALOS (Average Length of Stay) and bed occupancy rate
- Optimise your human and logistical resources: fewer transfers, fewer temporary staff
- Reduce your operational costs for medical travel by practitioners and patients
- Improve your existing facilities thanks to ultrasound expertise on site without an on-site specialist
- Increase the attractiveness of your facility by offering a cutting-edge service to patients and healthcare teams
For patients
- Access to reliable, specialised ultrasound expertise close to home
- Less travel, less waiting, and a faster diagnosis
- Less stress, making it easier to keep following your care pathway
- Reduced drop-out from healthcare
- Ability to talk to a specialist via video conferencing
Clinical accuracy validated by studies
No compromise when it comes to reliability. In double-blind studies, MELODY has shown that the diagnoses obtained are as accurate as those made in person. No loss of diagnosis, no false positives and no false negatives.
They already use MELODY
Interested in MELODY?
Request a personalised demonstration and discover how MELODY can transform your access to medical imaging.
High technology designed and manufactured in France
