ENABLING ROBOTIC TELEMEDICINE CAPABILITIES IN AUSTERE ENVIRONMENTS

Abstract

Preservation of the life of combat casualties is the premier responsibility of U.S. military health services. With advancing warfighting capabilities, the theater in which battles are fought has transcended a plethora of austere environments, thus creating the implicit need to advance lifesaving medical capabilities and ensure the highest level of health care possible. Static medical treatment facilities have employed telemedical capabilities in the form of precise, remotely controlled robotics to extend not only the distance of which health care can be given, but also reduce the time in which specialized care can be rendered. Robotic surgeries are performed by medical providers who are dependent on secured network capabilities to provide the best connectivity and response available during these sensitive procedures. The networking ability to support telemedicine and telesurgeries is important because it will determine where and how robotic surgeries can be utilized. This thesis will examine control of telemedicine surgical capabilities of the Taurus-M type, which are capable of supporting real-time delay and accuracy-sensitive telesurgery operations, but require robust, fast-response networking capabilities. This research will aid in beginning to understand how anticipated network degradation in austere environments limits the ability to perform tasks and serve as a force multiplier in military medicine.