Coimbra Local Health Unit tests innovative technology for performing remote ultrasounds

The Local Health Unit (ULS) of Coimbra is currently testing a technological device developed at the Instituto Pedro Nunes (IPN) that enables remote ultrasound examinations, helping to overcome barriers to diagnostic access.

The device, in development for the past eight years—first by the University of Coimbra and later by IPN, both based in Coimbra—is called robotic tele-ultrasound. It involves remotely operating a robotic arm that performs the ultrasound on the patient as if the doctor were physically present.

"It allows the radiologist to be, for instance, in a university hospital and conduct ultrasounds in a remote location, such as a primary care unit, without needing to be next to the patient," explained António Lindo da Cunha, project coordinator at IPN, to Lusa news agency.

Initially designed for use in remote areas, the project team later identified a second application: optimizing hospital resource allocation, as noted by Luís Ferreira from Sensing Future, the company responsible for commercializing the equipment.

This is one of over 90 products and services being developed under the Health from Portugal Mobilizing Agenda, part of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), led by Prologica – Sistemas Informáticos and driven by Health Cluster Portugal.