Kuka gives us a suitable innovation for these times of social isolation, a new automated medical assistant. Since in these difficult times there is a shortage of trained medical personnel.
The industry-leading manufacturer of robotic automated technology, together with the Life Science Robotics (LSR) company, designed a medical robot to help those patients who need physical assistance.
This new system that uses the KUKA LBR Med robot, called ROBERT, which works as an assistant for physical therapists, the idea of putting a robot in this medical area has generated relief for both patients and health professionals since we currently live in a difficult situation where the only option to avoid spreading the virus is social isolation. Robert enters to play an important role where he must play a routine, delicate and precise role.
Basically Robert is an automated therapy system that is brought to the patient’s room by a physiotherapist where he places a bracelet around the patient’s leg to link it with the robotic arm and then be activated by a start button, then the professional tells him to the robot the movement that must be carried out continuously, the robot configures and imitates these movements to then work them freely and thus, avoid that the physical therapist has to do all the tedious work. In this way the health professional can focus on other tasks or injuries of the patient.
The goal is to optimize rehabilitation through continuous and persistent movements that can achieve minimal damage and faster rehabilitation of the patient’s functions.
This project provides benefits to two important parts of the health sector, the professional-patient staff.
- From minimizing heavy and continuous tasks for healthcare personnel to easy use of robotic equipment thanks to its simple interface.
- The patient will achieve a quick recovery in his movements, prevent contractures and pressure injuries, reduce the risk of blood clots and pneumonia, muscle atrophy and neuropathic effects.
- Treatments will be faster and with lower costs.
- Robert is easy to set up, use, and transport.
Testing of this robotic solution was successful, Keld Thorsen, CEO of Life Science Robotics, based in Aalborg, Denmark. He said: “The demand for our product has increased significantly because hospitals would like to reduce direct physical contact with patients. With our solution, we want to help mobilize patients more quickly and efficiently, while easing the burden on physical therapists. ”
LSR integrates the KUKA LBR Med light robot already has the accreditation of the FDA (Food and Drug Administration, Food and Drug Administration) to be marketed in the USA.
The importance of counting on new technologies to create tools that help the recovery of human life is proof that robotic automation is adapting to each human need to improve it.