AI-Driven Robotic Echocardiograms Could Reduce Waiting Times and Improve Cardiac Care Access

Researchers at Cranfield University, in collaboration with Milton Keynes University Hospital, have developed an innovative AI-controlled robotic system to perform echocardiograms—urgent ultrasound tests used to assess heart health. This advancement aims to address the growing challenge faced by the UK's National Health Service (NHS), which struggles with a significant shortage of trained sonographers. The current vacancy rate for these specialists has doubled from 6.7% in 2019 to 13.4% in 2023, driven by increased demand, staffing difficulties, and health issues like repetitive strain injuries affecting practitioners.

The new system employs a robotic arm equipped with an imaging probe, paired with sophisticated AI software that evaluates image quality in real-time. The process begins with a human operator placing the probe on the patient's skin. The robot then autonomously executes a spiral scanning pattern, adjusting its position and orientation based on continuous feedback to optimize image clarity. This autonomous adjustment is guided by AI, which assesses the images as they are captured to ensure they meet diagnostic standards.

In initial tests, the system successfully achieved an 80% accuracy rate in obtaining the standard four-chamber view (A4Ch) of the heart, demonstrating its potential to perform reliable assessments. Such automation could dramatically reduce waiting times for cardiac imaging, especially important in community health settings where access to specialist staff is limited.

Professor Yifan Zhao, a data science expert at Cranfield University, emphasized the transformative potential of this AI-driven approach, noting that it could enable more accessible testing outside traditional hospital environments, alleviating the pressure on NHS facilities. Similarly, Dr. Gilbert Tang, a robotics specialist, highlighted that improving the technology's accuracy could lead to more consistent diagnoses and better patient outcomes.

Milton Keynes University Hospital’s cardiologist, Professor Attila Kardos, saw this innovation as a promising step toward rapid diagnostics and more efficient workflows, aligning with NHS goals to expand diagnostic access and reduce delays. Although fully autonomous operation is still in development, the current prototype showcases how robotics and AI can enhance medical imaging, making vital heart assessments faster and more widely available.

This breakthrough indicates a future where robotic systems could play a crucial role in community health and emergency settings, transforming cardiac diagnostics and improving patient care across healthcare systems.

source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-ai-powered-robot-echocardiograms-alleviate.html