Concept and First Realization of Robotically Applied Emergency Care via Task-Specific End Effectors

Abstract

This work proposes an emergency care system based on two robotic arms and task-specific end-effectors to be used in emergency care scenarios for life-saving pre-hospital treatment. The emergency scenario consists of a patient without access to human first aid and possibly in a remote, isolated location. Technological medical first aid is to be provided remotely through a proposed robotic emergency care system. The system will be transported to the patient via unmanned aerial or ground vehicle (UAV/UGV). In combination with independent interchangeable robotic end-effectors, telerobotic manipulation is the basis for all interventions and the focus of this work. End-effector tasks include clothing removal, oxygen administration, stopping critical bleeding, basic ultrasound diagnostics, and administration of emergency medication. This work shows the first realizations of end-effectors for oxygenation, tourniquet application, and administration of emergency medication. An end-effector for cutting clothing away via telerobotic manipulation in emergency situations was developed and tested on a synthetic mannequin with textiles from everyday clothing.