IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine - December 2014 - 18

Mobility
AGV

Imagery
X-Ray Gantry

BA Systems

GE Healthcare

Figure 1. An imaging system by GE Healthcare
installed on an AGV developed by BA
SYSTEMES (photo courtesy of GE Healthcare).

Figure 2. The mobile base (AGV) by BA
SYSTEMES (photo courtesy of GE Healthcare).

To lift technical locks, BA SYSTeMeS launched an open innovation
project with its regular partners: the laboratory Commissariat à l'energie
Atomique et Énergies Alternatives
(CeA) list in robotics and IRCCyN (a
CNRS laboratory) in mechanism and
motion control, whereas Ge Healthcare
brought medical knowledge and end
users. This project lasted two and onehalf years and involved 80 people. It was
supported by a French state program
that provided public funding.
This project represents a major technological breakthrough in the healthcare field in providing an innovative,
flexible, and secure solution in the
highly demanding environment of
hybrid surgery rooms. The three main
technical difficulties to overcome were
1) precision and repeatability
2) issues linked to the surgery room
3) a human-machine interface not tailor-made for the medical world.

Innovative Mobile Robot
limetric accuracy. The automated
Discovery IGS 730 is composed of an mobile system enables it to be parked
imaging system by Ge Healthcare that when not being used. The surgeon's
is installed on an automated guided requirement to access the patient is
vehicle (AGV) developed by BA SYS- respected. Moreover, the surgical interTeMeS (Figure 1).
vention can be evaluated in real time.
Impacts
The system guides various cardiovasThe production process led by BA SYScular and oncology procedures through An Open Innovation Project
TeMeS was supported by Ge Healththree-dimensional (3-D) imaging. This BA SYSTeMeS brought its AGV expe- care, which is managing the final
device was developed thanks to a part- rience to the project, i.e., its special skills assembly. The production line respects
nership with Ge Healthcare. The innova- in accurate motion control and its ca- U.S. Food and Drug Administration
tion of BA SYSTeMeS consists of
and International Standardization
a mobile base designed to receive
Organization standards. The
an X-ray machine.
product, Discovery IGS 730
The innovation remains in a
(shown in Figure 3), is currently
robot with 1) movement control,
used in surgery rooms all around
2) a navigation system with
the world.
proximity detection, 3) an omniBA SYSTeMeS manufactures
directional displacement, and 4)
150 AGVs per year, including
an X-ray picture chain on a
medical mobile bases. The turn3-5 axis gantry. The X-ray ganover increased by €5 million in
try was provided by Ge Healththree years. This project allowed
care (Figure 2).
the company to hire 25 people on
The navigation system Figure 3. The product Discovery IGS 730, commercialized an open-term contract in engiby GE Healthcare, is used in surgery rooms all around the
enables the X-ray machine to world (photo courtesy of GE Healthcare).
neering and production. BA SYSmove automatically. It moves
TeMeS enhanced its knowledge
with precision around the patient dur- pacity to manufacture robotic systems. and know-how in robotics and
ing the operation. This newest image- Three main stages were necessary to go mechanics. The project gave the comguided system for surgery allows 3-D from the emergence of the concept to pany international influence. This
imagery by sections. The sterility is the market introduction: 1) designing a diversifying project led to the creation
widely increased, the robot is perfectly demonstrator, 2) an open innovation of the new company BA Healthcare,
integrated with the surgical equipment, project to lift technical locks identified which is specialized in designing and
and it is a safe and reliable device. The during the first stage, and 3) the indus- manufacturing medical mobile devices
BA SYSTeMeS laser guidance system trialization stage to manufacture opera- for noninvasive purposes.
implemented on the machine has a mil- tional robotic systems.

IEEE ROBOTICS & AUTOMATION MAGAZINE

December 2014

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Robotics & Automation Magazine - December 2014