MIT researchers have developed a wearable ultrasound patch that can non-invasively image internal organs, primarily focusing on bladder health. The device eliminates the need for an ultrasound operator or gel and could transform the monitoring of various organ functions and disease detection.
The wearable device is specifically designed to monitor the health of the bladder and kidneys and could be instrumental for early diagnosis of cancers deep within the body.
Designed in the form of a patch, the ultrasound monitor can capture images of organs inside the body without requiring an ultrasound operator or gel application. The patch can accurately image the bladder and determine its fullness, allowing patients with bladder or kidney problems to efficiently monitor the functionality of these organs.
Additionally, the wearable patch has the potential for use in monitoring other organs in the body by adjusting the ultrasound array’s position and signal frequency. This capability could enable the early detection of deep-seated cancers like ovarian cancer.
The researchers behind this groundbreaking technology are based at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and the study has been published in Nature Electronics. Their aim is to develop a series of devices that improve information sharing between clinicians and patients and ultimately shape the future of medical device design.
In an initial study, the wearable ultrasound patch was able to obtain bladder images comparable to traditional ultrasound probes. To advance the clinical application of this technology, the research team is working on a portable device that can be used to view the images.
The MIT team also has aspirations to develop an ultrasound device capable of imaging other deep-seated organs in the body, such as the pancreas, liver, and ovaries. This will involve designing new piezoelectric materials and conducting further research and clinical trials.
Funding for this research was provided by various organizations, including the National Science Foundation, 3M Non-Tenured Faculty Award, Texas Instruments Corporation, and the MIT Media Lab Consortium, among others.
Source: scitechdaily.com
