Demand for diagnostic ultrasound is growing, while workforce pressures and distance can make specialist care harder to access.
Creating more connected ways to deliver specialist diagnostic care
Healthcare systems face growing demand for diagnostic services, workforce pressures and unequal access to specialist expertise.
RMI combines specialist sonographers with robotic ultrasound technology in two models of care. One enables sonographers to examine rural patients remotely; the other supports them in the examination room.
Together, they bring specialist expertise closer to patients and give sonographers more flexible ways to work.
Improving access to specialist care
For many regional, rural and remote communities access to specialist ultrasound remains limited. Patients may travel long distances or wait for visiting services, delaying diagnosis and increasing the burden on patients and healthcare providers.
1m+
Ultrasound examinations are delayed or not performed annually in rural Australia.
Limited access
Many communities have limited or no permanent specialist sonography services.
Supporting the sonographer workforce
Every ultrasound examination depends on the expertise of highly trained sonographers. Their clinical knowledge, judgement and technical skill are fundamental to high-quality diagnostic care.
Sonography is physically demanding with high rates of work-related musculoskeletal injury placing additional pressure on an already limited specialist workforce.
90%
experience work-related pain.
1 in 5
leave the profession because of career-limiting injury.
The Traditional Model
GP / SPECIALISTS
Request an ultrasound for the patient
100+ DAYS WAIT AND LONG TRAVEL
Rural patients experience long waiting list for ultrasound appointments
MANUAL IN-ROOM SCAN WITH SONOGRAPHER
Sonographer performs the scan at the centre
REPORT
Scan reviewed and reported by a cardiologist / specialist
GP FOLLOW UP
Results are discussed with patient and a treatment plan is developed
Remote RMI Model
Expertise can be remote. Care stays local.
GP / SPECIALISTS
Request an ultrasound for the patient
QUICK ACCESS
24-48 hour turnaround, then travel to a local community health centre
PATIENT SCANNED WITH RUAS BY A SPECIALIST ON TELEHEALTH
Sonographer operates the RAUS via telehealth with local support for the report patient
RERPORT
Scan reviewed and reported by a cardiologist / specialist
GP FOLLOW UP
Results are discussed with patient and a treatment plan is developed
Enables an accredited sonographer to perform a specialist ultrasound examination remotely bringing expertise closer to patients who may otherwise need to travel.
In-Room RMI Model
Reducing the physical demands of scanning.
SONOGRAPHER (Scanning Manually)
Repeated manual scanning can lead to Musculoskeletal injuries over time
SONOGRAPHER (Scanning with the RUAS In-room)
Sonographer operates the RUAS in-room alongside patient reducing the risk of injury
INJURED SONOGRAPHER CAN CONTINUE TO SCAN USING RUAS IN-ROOM
 Sonographer can continue to scan by operating the RUAS in-room
Enables the sonographer to use robotic-assisted technology within the examination room reducing the physical demands associated with conventional scanning while maintaining clinical control of the examination.
The technology behind the RMI Model
The patented Robotic Ultrasound Assistance System (RUAS) is the integrated technology platform that enables RMI’s connected models of care.
Combining robotic-assisted ultrasound, secure telecommunications and an intuitive clinical interface, RUAS enables specialist sonographers to control the ultrasound transducer, view live diagnostic images and communicate with the healthcare professional supporting the patient. The system can perform comprehensive ultrasound examinations, including complex modalities such as echocardiograms—ultrasound imaging of the heart.
Robotic-Assisted Ultrasound
Precise remote or in-room control
Secure Connectivity
Real-time communication across distance
Clinical
Interface
Live imaging and clinical control
Better outcomes for healthcare
Patients
Specialist diagnostic care closer to home, supporting earlier detection of chronic conditions such as heart disease, with less travel, delay and disruption.
Sonographers
Robotic-assisted scanning reduces exposure to repetitive strain injuries while enabling safer, more flexible ways of working.
Communities
More equitable access to specialist diagnostic care, regardless of geography.
Health services
Greater diagnostic capacity and more effective use of specialist expertise.