A team of engineers at the University of California San Diego has achieved a significant milestone by creating the world's first fully integrated wearable ultrasound system designed for deep-tissue monitoring, even when subjects are on the move. The breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize cardiovascular monitoring, providing critical insights and potentially saving lives. The research, titled "A fully integrated wearable ultrasound system to monitor deep tissues in moving subjects," was published in the May 22, 2023 issue of Nature Biotechnology.
The team's innovation includes a wearable sensor and control electronics in wearable form factors, making it a truly autonomous and wearable device capable of wirelessly sensing vital signs from deep tissues. Previous soft ultrasonic sensors required tethering cables for data and power transmission, limiting mobility. However, this new system incorporates a small, flexible control circuit that wirelessly collects and transmits data from an ultrasound transducer array. Machine learning algorithms are utilized to interpret the data and track subjects in motion.
The researchers found that the wearable ultrasound system, known as ultrasonic system-on-patch (USoP), enables continuous monitoring of physiological signals from deep tissues, reaching depths of up to 164 mm. It can measure central blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, and other crucial physiological signals for up to twelve hours at a time.
Muyang Lin, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Nanoengineering at UC San Diego and the first author of the study, expressed enthusiasm about the potential of the technology. He emphasized that the device can evaluate cardiovascular function during motion and provide valuable insights into heart health. The device's capabilities extend beyond blood pressure monitoring, allowing for measurements of parameters like cardiac output, arterial stiffness, and expiratory volume, which are essential for comprehensive healthcare monitoring.
The development of this wearable ultrasound system represents a significant advancement in the field of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). By wirelessly transmitting physiological signals to the cloud for analysis and professional diagnosis, the technology enhances the connectivity and efficiency of medical devices.
The research team collaborated closely with clinicians to address vital sign monitoring challenges in clinical practice. The close relationship with medical professionals allowed the engineers to understand the specific needs and provide practical solutions. The next step for the technology involves larger-scale testing through clinical trials.
Overall, the fully integrated wearable ultrasound system developed by the UC San Diego engineers opens up new possibilities for deep-tissue monitoring, providing a portable and user-friendly solution for cardiovascular assessment in real-time, even during physical activity.
https://today.ucsd.edu/story/a-giant-leap-forward-in-wireless-ultrasound-monitoring-for-subjects-in-motion
