Soon, wearable ultrasound technology will be available

The researchers faced the challenge of downsizing the wearable ultrasound technology to suit an animal model. They successfully crafted a diminutive device, measuring 24 mm in length and equipped with 128 channels, in stark contrast to the 40 mm dimensions of the commercial device. Much like traditional ultrasound instruments, the proposed wearable ultrasound exhibits the capacity to generate an acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) for shear wave elastography. In a collaborative effort, the team devised compact devices that adhere to the skin using a bioadhesive hydrogel, enabling the continuous monitoring of organ stiffness changes in animal models over time.

Lead author Hsiao-Chuan Liu emphasized the groundbreaking nature of the innovation, stating, "This advancement transcends the capabilities of current physical wearable ultrasound devices, showcasing its compact size, the ability to generate ARFI for shear waves, capacity to detect particle displacements for calculating shear velocity, and its ability to consistently evaluate stiffness changes in deep organs, as demonstrated in animal models."

Revolutionizing Post-Transplant Care: Breakthrough Wearable Ultrasound Device Detects Early Signs of Liver Complications

Annually, more than 2000 individuals experience acute liver failure (ALF), a condition challenging to detect early, especially in intensive care unit (ICU) patient’s post-liver transplantation. Conventional ultrasounds, which typically identify liver stiffness changes indicating disease or infection, necessitate continuous monitoring by someone wielding a handheld transducer device.

A collaborative effort between researchers at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, Keck School of Medicine at USC, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering at MIT has resulted in the development of a groundbreaking adhesive "wearable ultrasound" shear wave elastography, named BAUS-E. The USC team integrated a bioadhesive hydrogel created by MIT researchers, enabling the attachment of a wearable ultrasound device to the skin for ongoing monitoring of liver stiffness changes over 48 hours. Remarkably, the wearable ultrasound device identified liver stiffness within six hours of onset, presenting a potential critical timeframe for doctors to address a patient's deteriorating condition, particularly relevant to post-operative liver transplant recipients. Published in Science Advances, this wearable ultrasound device is believed to be the first capable of performing ultrasound shear wave elastography with longitudinal measurements in organs.

The USC team, led by Research Assistant Professor Hsiao-Chuan Liu and Professor Qifa Zhou, collaborated with MIT's Professor Xuanhe Zhao's group. The miniaturized wearable ultrasound device boasts 128 channels, comparable to those in commercial ultrasound probes.

The incorporation of MIT's bioadhesive gel allowed the ultrasound to adhere to the specimen's body for over 48 hours, a crucial period for liver transplant patients when complications are most likely. Previously, without continuous ultrasound, doctors had to rely on invasive biopsies or blood tests. The new wearable ultrasound elastography not only offers a prognosis on liver thickness and stiffness but also possesses the unique capability to induce shear waves through acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI), an achievement unprecedented in such a compact device.

MIT Researchers Pioneer Wearable Ultrasound Scanner for Early Breast Cancer Detection

Researchers have successfully developed a wearable ultrasound device designed for the early detection of breast cancer and tumors, particularly catering to individuals at high risk between routine mammograms. The innovative device takes the form of a flexible patch, seamlessly attaching to a bra, allowing wearers to move freely during the scanning and imaging process.

This MIT-designed wearable ultrasound scanner operates by scanning and capturing images of breast tissue from various angles. The recently conducted study demonstrates that the device produces ultrasound images with resolution comparable to those obtained in medical imaging centers. Employing ultrasound technology similar to medical facilities, the MIT researchers incorporated a piezoelectric material for a miniaturized design.

The wearable scanner features a flexible, 3D-printed patch with honeycomb-like openings, providing a matrix for the ultrasound scanner to make direct contact with the skin. Housed within a compact tracker, the ultrasound scanner can be positioned in six different ways to capture comprehensive images of the entire breast. Its user-friendly design allows for easy operation, and the device can be rotated to capture images from different angles.

As of the current publication, the researchers note that the patch needs to be connected to a larger machine, similar to those used in medical imaging centers, to view the ultrasound images. However, the team is actively working on developing a smartphone-sized machine that can independently generate high-quality images, eliminating the need for connection to specific machines. An additional advantage of the patch is its reusability, eliminating the need for disposal after a single use. This wearable ultrasound device holds promise for individuals at high risk of breast cancer, enabling frequent screenings at home. Moreover, it could prove valuable for diagnosing cancer in individuals without regular access to medical screening centers, making ultrasound technology more accessible to the broader public.

A wearable ultrasound patch and scanner designed to detect breast cancer and tumors earlier have emerged from the personal experience of MIT researchers, including professors Canan Dagdeviren and Dabin Lin, MIT graduate student Wenya Du, research scientist Lin Zhang, and Emma Suh. The impetus for this innovative development came from Professor Dagdeviren's own familial encounter with breast cancer. Her late aunt, Fatma Caliskanoglu, was diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer at the age of 49, despite regular cancer screenings, and sadly passed away six months later.

Inspired by this personal tragedy, Dagdeviren, who was a post-doctorate at MIT at the time, envisioned a diagnostic device and sketched its initial design while standing by her aunt's bedside. The concept involved integrating the device into a bra, envisioning a wearable ultrasound for more frequent screenings, especially for those at a high risk of breast cancer and within the comfort of their homes. Over time, the conceptual sketch has transformed into a tangible instrument.

Dagdeviren explains the innovation, stating, "We changed the form factor of the ultrasound technology so that it can be used in your home. It’s portable and easy to use, and provides real-time, user-friendly monitoring of breast tissue. My goal is to target the people who are most likely to develop interval cancer. With more frequent screening, our target is to increase the survival rate to up to 98 percent."