They say that someday, robots may take over the world. While this may seem ludicrous and unbelievable, modern technology certainly has come a long way. In fact, a “robot paramedic” is being used for the first time ever. They have been designed to carry out chest compressions on people in ambulances. With their services on standby, this helps free up the emergency team to focus on other equally vital forms of treatments.
Introducing the South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS). This is the very first in the country to take the new state-of-the-art technology, known as LUCAS-3, and carry them on their emergency vehicles. So, what exactly is it? This is basically a device or a mechanical system that has the ability to deliver high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) chest compressions consistently. This happens the moment crew arrives on the scene. The important life-saving move continues throughout the patient’s journey to hospital without stops and without interference.
This is a rather amazing breakthrough because CPR, in particular, is vital when it comes to maintaining blood and oxygen flow all over the body while the person is either unconscious and has stopped breathing. A SCAS spokesman explained, “Once paramedics arrive and begin CPR or take over from bystanders who may have initiated it, the transition from manual compressions to LUCAS can be completed within seven seconds, ensuring continuity of compressions.”
Robots have gone beyond entertainment. The technology was first limited to listening to your music requests or to new information you may want to be privy to. Or, robots were first used in assembling parts in a factory. Now, people can say that a robot paramedic is now able to perform CPR. The LUCAS-3 will soon be joining first responder teams all across the south of England.
For the very first time ever, this automaton was created so that it can perform the life-saving chest compression. As mentioned, this is crucial when it comes to sustaining oxygen flow throughout the body in times of emergency such as cardiac arrest. The LUCAS-3 is there to aid the paramedics and lend a helping hand so that they can also focus on other tasks that would be just as important when it comes to ensuring patient survival.
Right now, the South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) will be the first one to benefit from the robot. The technology costs around £12,000 ( or $17,000). The ambulance services the areas of Hampshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire. This was made possible by the SCAS Charity who funded the purchase of 28 robots who have been designed to enhance these fully-equipped ambulances.
LUCAS is able to run with the help of Bluetooth connectivity. It can then performs CPR moves, according to various inputs such as time between compressions, force of compressions, or according the guidelines of medical institutions. Dr. John Black, medical director at SCAS, further explained, “We know that delivering high quality and uninterrupted chest compressions in cardiac arrest is one of the major determinants of survival to hospital discharge but it can be very challenging for a number of reasons.” He further added, “People can become fatigued when performing CPR manually which then affects the rate and quality of compressions, and patients may need to be moved from difficult locations, such as down a narrow flight of stairs, or remote places which impedes the process.”
So now, the big day has finally come. While it has taken as long time, the designer behind this was a student who had to finish medical school first before he was deemed ready to get thrown to work. His design is the current iteration that was based on a model first tested by the University of Warwick back in 2014.
The model now has obviously been upgraded from a version which clinicians at SCAS first evaluated in 2014. This was then a part of the PARAMEDIC trial led by the University of Warwick and published in journal The Lancet.
Professor Charles Deakin, divisional medical director for SCAS and lead for resuscitation said, “The LUCAS device transforms the management at a cardiac arrest and allows paramedics to focus on the key aspects of clinical care.” He added, “It will be an invaluable part of the team and contribute to the already outstanding results that SCAS have achieved in saving lives of these patients.”
Currently, South Central Ambulance Charity has successfully funded 28 of the devices to support crews who would be able to make the most out of this kind of technology.
LUCAS devices are also designed for resuscitation in hospital emergency departments and for support patients in cardiac arrest in intensive care units. Patients undergoing life-saving coronary balloon angioplasty and stenting procedures to widen narrowed arteries will also be able to experience the power of the robot.
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