In a world where technology constantly evolves, a team of engineers at the University of California San Diego has made a groundbreaking leap in wearable technology.
They have developed the first fully integrated wearable ultrasound system for deep-tissue monitoring, even for subjects on the move. This innovative device, known as the wearable ultrasonic-system-on-patch (USoP), is a breakthrough in wearable ultrasound technology.
The USoP is not just a wearable sensor but a sensor package. It includes a small, flexible control circuit that communicates with an ultrasound transducer array to collect and transmit data wirelessly. The device is wearable and can sense deep tissue vital signs without wires, providing a solution to the mobility constraints of previous soft ultrasonic sensors.
The USoP is another development of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), a network of medical devices connected to the Internet, wirelessly transmitting physiological signals into the cloud for computing, analysis, and professional diagnosis.
The USoP has the potential to be a game-changer in the field of cardiovascular monitoring. It allows continuous tracking of physiological signals from tissues as deep as 164 mm, continuously measuring central blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, and other physiological signals for up to twelve hours. That means the technology has the potential to save and improve lives by evaluating cardiovascular function in motion.
Of course, it isn’t just life and death situations that technology impacts. The sensors can measure cardiovascular responses to exercise in real-time, providing insights into the actual workout intensity exerted by each person, which can guide the formulation of personalized training plans.
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead
While developing the USoP, the team discovered that the device had more capabilities than initially anticipated. It can measure more than just blood pressure; it can also measure critical physiological parameters such as cardiac output, arterial stiffness, expiratory volume, and more, all essential for daily health care or in-hospital monitoring.
One of the challenges faced during the development was the relative movement between the wearable ultrasonic sensor and the tissue target when the subject is in motion. To overcome this, the team developed a machine learning algorithm to automatically analyze the received signals and choose the most appropriate channel to keep track of the moving target.
The next step for the USoP is clinical trials among larger populations. The team envisions this device as the next generation of deep-tissue monitoring devices. The development of the wearable ultrasonic system-on-patch marks a significant advancement in wearable technology and healthcare monitoring. We hope it lives up to its potential to revolutionize how we monitor our health, making it more accessible, more efficient, and more accurate than ever before.
TLDR:
- Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed the first fully integrated wearable ultrasound system for deep-tissue monitoring, known as the Wearable Ultrasonic-System-on-Patch (USoP).
- The USoP is a complete solution, including a small, flexible control circuit that communicates with an ultrasound transducer array to collect and transmit data wirelessly.
- The device can track physiological signals from tissues as deep as 164 mm, continuously measuring central blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, and other vital signs for up to twelve hours at a time.
- The USoP is equipped with a machine learning component that helps interpret the data and track subjects in motion.
- The device represents a breakthrough in the development of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), wirelessly transmitting physiological signals into the cloud for computing, analysis, and professional diagnosis.
