Help Is in Your Pocket: The Potential Accuracy of Smartphone- and Laptop-Based Remotely Guided Resuscitative Telesonography

Abstract

UNEs can confidently be guided to obtain critical findings using simple information technology resources, based on the receiving/transmitting device found in most trauma surgeons' pocket or briefcase. Global US mentoring requires only Internet connectivity and initiative.

Lung ultrasonography in a woman with COVID-19: This examination could be remote

“…We previously showed that lung ultrasonography can be performed accurately with economical mobile equipment by nonphysicians who are guided remotely, 3,4 a paradigm largely started to support space medicine. 5 In addition to augmenting diagnosis, we also suggest that RTMUS might help ongoing screening at home for self-isolating adults at risk of or with selflimited COVID-19.…”

A Feasibility Study of Smartphone-Based Telesonography for Evaluating Cardiac Dynamic Function and Diagnosing Acute Appendicitis with Control of the Image Quality of the Transmitted Videos

“…Several studies have investigated the use of telesonography, in which ultrasound images are transferred to a remote display in real time to remedy a lack of on-site expert interpreters in under-resourced settings [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. The term Btelesonographyŵ as first used in 1992 by Mendlowitz [3].…”

“…However, in the process of analog-to-digital conversion, the data must be compressed, and thus, the resolution of both video and still images is degraded. Today, although images remain digital during every step of image transmission, systems that transmit compressed data at a degraded resolution have been actively investigated because the available bandwidth is often limited [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. These studies have demonstrated that the perception of the image quality is not significantly affected by the degraded resolution because the resolution required for the perception of image quality and smoothness is low [4].…”

“…Several recent studies have reported that the diagnostic accuracy also does not significantly differ between conventional ultrasound examinations and telesonography [7][8][9][10][11][12][13]; however, these investigations have been limited to simple cases, such as fluid collection and pneumothorax in trauma patients, which do not require high resolution or a high frame rate of transmission. Thus, these studies cannot validate the use of telesonography for evaluations of other organs that require the ability to perceive subtle, complex and detailed findings.…”

Technical innovations that may facilitate real-time telementoring of damage control surgery in austere environments: a proof of concept comparative evaluation of the importance of surgical experience, telepresence, gravity and mentoring in the conduct of damage control laparotomies

“…7 We perceive that almost any potential care provider with Internet access anywhere on the planet could be guided through advanced diagnostics and/or medical procedures. 8 …”