From the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), a patch capable of obtaining images of organs within the body has been designed.This is a "portable ultrasound monitor" that can obtain these images without the need for an additional ultrasound operator or the application of gel.
In the words of the lead author of the study, Canan Dagdeviren, "this technology is versatile and can be used not only in the bladder but in any deep tissue of the body. It is a novel platform that can identify and characterize many of the diseases we carry in our bodies." our body". Scan Machine
The study carried out at this institute has shown that it is possible to obtain "precise" images of the bladder, and observe, for example, whether it is full.This has been made known from MIT itself.According to the researchers, this could help patients with bladder or kidney disorders more easily track whether these organs are functioning properly.Furthermore, this technology could be transferred to other types of organs, even allowing earlier detection of cancers such as ovarian cancer.
Initially, it was decided to investigate the bladder specifically because the researcher's brother had kidney cancer.After one of her kidneys was surgically removed, she had difficulty completely emptying her bladder, and so the expert wondered if this monitor could help this type of patient.
"Millions of people suffer from bladder dysfunction and related diseases and, unsurprisingly, monitoring bladder volume is an effective way to assess the health and well-being of the kidneys," explains the researcher."Currently, the only way to measure bladder volume is to use a traditional, bulky ultrasound probe, which requires going to a medical facility."Therefore, we wanted to develop a portable alternative that patients could use at home.
This wearable device is a flexible patch made of silicone rubber, embedded with five ultrasound arrays made of a new piezoelectric material that researchers developed for this device.The arrays are arranged in a cross shape, allowing the patch to image the entire bladder, which measures about 12 by 8 centimeters when full.Additionally, the polymer that makes up the patch is naturally sticky and adheres smoothly to the skin, making it easy to put on and remove.Once placed on the skin, underwear or tights can help keep it in place.
For the study, 20 patients with a variety of body mass indexes were recruited.Subjects were first imaged with a full bladder, then with a partially empty bladder, and then with a completely empty bladder.The images obtained with the new patch were of similar quality to those taken with traditional ultrasound, and the ultrasound arrays worked in all subjects regardless of their body mass index.When using this patch, there is no need for ultrasound gel or pressure, as with a regular ultrasound probe, because the field of view is large enough to cover the entire bladder.
“In this work, we have further developed a path toward clinical translation of conformable ultrasonic biosensors that provide valuable information on vital physiological parameters.Our group hopes to take advantage of this and develop a set of devices that will ultimately close the information gap between doctors and patients,” says Anthony E. Samir, who is also an author of the study.
Sonoscape Regarding its use in other organs, the lead author assures that "for any organ that we need to visualize, we go back to the first step, select the right materials, come up with the right design of the device and then manufacture everything accordingly."Thus, "this work could become a central area of interest in ultrasound research, motivate a new approach for future medical device designs, and lay the foundation for many more fruitful collaborations between materials scientists, electrical engineers, and biomedical researchers," as stated by Anantha Chandrakasan, also the author of the article.