VISION ODYSSEY
Team: Erik Ivarson
Collaboration Partner: Agile Robots
2023 – 8 weeks
By 2030, the global shortage of healthcare workers is projected to reach 18 million, contributing to long ultrasound referral times.
Vision Odyssey enables earlier ultrasound imaging by allowing untrained healthcare professionals to perform scans at health centers. It guides them through full-area coverage and stabilizes recordings, which are then reviewed by specialists to determine the next diagnostic steps.
“At health centers, Vision Odyssey can for example be used to exclude that limited blood circulation is the underlying cause for leg ulcer, detection of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).”
-General Practitioner, 17 years of experience.
Industrial Design
Interaction Design
3D modelling
Rendering
Animation
Prototyping
Ultrasound imaging can feel like navigating a dark room, where every movement matters but the path ahead is unclear. Vision Odyssey acts as a guiding hand, helping healthcare professionals navigate the scan through directional cues and real-time AI.
An arrow indicates where to move the device, while the AI analyzes the image and automatically adjusts the arm to optimize the signal. Once the area is captured, the user moves on to the next zone.
One main challenge was keeping a soft transition between the joins and the arm since this device is close to the user’s skin. At the same time, we needed enough degrees of freedom to achieve all the movement the end effectors require.
This was the most intense phase, going back and forth with mechanical prototypes and 3D prints.
The Velcro attachments secure the wristband, while its rigidity allows smooth insertion into the steel buckle. The volumes provide ventilation during use. Beneath the robot, the main volume houses the battery while supporting the wrist. The robot locks securely into the base and releases easily with a button.
The connection between the head of the device and the end effectors is secure and can be operated with one hand. It is similar to the camera's connectors that mechanically lock the two bodies together.
Start the diagnostic process by inputting key patient details such as name, age, and gender.
As you delve into discussing symptoms, the AI steps in to assist in recognizing and documenting these symptoms and streamline the information-gathering process.
Choose the specific area for ultrasound screening, and let the interface be your guide, ensuring a smooth and intuitive experience.
Ultimately, the user shares the preliminary findings obtained from image interpretation. These results are communicated to a specialist who determines the case's urgency.
It's essential to note that the robot doesn't replace human decision-making; instead, it assists and relieves healthcare professionals by expediting the diagnosis phase. The final decision rests with the human.
Process
