Enhanced Diagnostic Telemedicine in ENT: Dual Robotic Arm System and Clinical Study

Abstract

This paper presents a novel dual-robotic arm system designed for remote otolaryngology diagnostics, addressing the growing demand for telemedicine solutions in primary care settings. The system integrates two UR5e robots: one controlling a flexible laryngoscope module and another manipulating various medical tools. We developed a user-friendly interface combining physical joystick controls with an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) based on UX research. The system’s efficacy was evaluated through clinical studies involving both phantom and human subjects. NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) assessments revealed as 25.3 ± 5.2 with a trend of improvement over multiple trials, indicating rapid user adaptation. Our results demonstrate the system’s potential to enhance remote otolaryngology diagnostics, improving access to specialized care in underserved areas.