Our team is embarking on an innovative project ORBITERS to design and deploy a specialized robot aimed at transforming logistics within operating room corridors. This autonomous robot will be tasked with the critical job of inspecting medical supplies and ensuring their timely delivery to various operating rooms. Key to this system is its ability to intelligently navigate the complex environment of a hospital, identifying and fulfilling urgent supply needs in a time-sensitive manner. By integrating advanced robotics in surgical environment, the robot will not only streamline the supply chain but also minimize human error and enhance efficiency in medical settings. ORBITERS, in collaboration with UPMC, stands at the forefront of integrating autonomous logistics robots into real-world scenarios, particularly where precision and prompt action are paramount. The ORBITERS system is set to revolutionize how medical supplies are managed and delivered, paving the way for a new era in healthcare logistics.
Use Case
To convey the multi-faceted functionalities ORB requires to solve the logistics problem, we present two use cases to illustrate two primary operations: inspection and delivery of medical supplies. The inspection use case is narrated from the perspective of a UPMC nurse, while the delivery use case is portrayed from the viewpoint of Dr. Michael J. Singh, a UPMC chief surgeon whose insights and frontline experience have helped shape the ideation of ORB.
In both use cases, a 2D diagram is used to depict a typical OR environment. As shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, an operating room environment consists of (1) shelves on which medical supplies are stored, (2) operating rooms themselves, and (3) clinicians who are authorized to enter the OR floor. In this environment, an autonomous ORB robot is assumed to be able to navigate through these hallways while avoiding collisions with people and manipulating any medical supplies on the shelves.
1. Inspection Use Case
At UPMC, the hallways are alive with the steady rhythm of footsteps and the quiet buzz of conversation. Here, nurses are the unsung heroes, managing countless tasks to ensure that every patient receives the best care possible. One such nurse, Billy, begins his shift with a new responsibility – overseeing the operation of the ORB system, an automated inventory inspection solution designed to maintain optimal levels of medical supplies.
As the day progresses, Billy enters the OR corridors where ORB has been diligently at work. The inspection system has been navigating through the aisles, its sensors meticulously scanning each bin and shelf (which are presented in the image below as step 1 and step 2). It counts syringes, gauzes, and sutures, logging the quantities and locations of each supply directly into the hospital’s inventory management software (step 3). Billy observes as ORB identifies a batch of IV catheters running low – a critical component for the day’s scheduled procedures.
Without delay, ORB flags the item in the system. It automatically generates a restock request, alerting the central supply department of the need for additional catheters (step 4). Billy reviews the order for accuracy and approves it with a tap on his tablet. He appreciates the system’s precision and reliability, ensuring that he can focus his attention on patient care, confident that ORB will keep the supply chain moving smoothly and prevent any shortages.
2. Delivery Use Case
In another wing of UPMC, a complex surgery is underway. Dr. Michael Singh, a seasoned surgeon, is in the midst of a delicate procedure when he realizes the need for an additional type of hemostatic agent not readily available in the operating room. Time is critical, and every moment counts.
Dr. Singh turns to the ORB system, quickly inputting the request into the nearby interface, which is depicted in step 1 of the graphical representation below. Back in the supply room, the designated ORB unit receives the command. The ORB is specifically designed for high-priority deliveries to the OR. It swiftly navigates through the hospital’s corridors after localizing itself (step 2), grabs the object on one of the supply shelves, and stores the supply in its specialized sterile storage compartment (step 3).
Arriving at the operating room, ORB docks at the delivery station. The scrub nurse receives a notification and steps over to retrieve the item from ORB’s delivery compartment, which maintains the supplies in a contamination-free environment (step 4). With the hemostatic agent now in hand, the nurse enters the OR and hands it to Dr. Singh, who continues the surgery without any significant delay. The ORB system, with its dual capabilities of precise inventory inspection and timely delivery, has become an indispensable asset to UPMC. It not only streamlines the supply chain process but also ensures that the medical staff can maintain their focus on what truly matters – patient care and successful surgical outcomes.
