August 6, 2022
By: Audrey Chan
Since its creation in 1956, ultrasound imaging has been one of the most safest and effective methods of imaging, allowing physicians to observe a patient’s inner organs in real-time. To capture these images, ultrasound technicians guide probes over liquid gel (solid hydrogel) to direct sound waves into the body. The waves then reflect to create real-time imaging of a patient’s inner workings. Recently MIT engineers have developed tiny, 2 square centimeter ultrasounds that do not require technicians or probes to operate with. The engineers are working towards making the tiny ultrasounds completely wireless and as conveniently accessible as Band-Aids at the pharmacy.
The tiny ultrasounds have a particularly innovative design that allows them to maintain the high-quality function of traditional ultrasounds despite their compact size. The ultrasound stickers have two thin layers of elastomer (a mostly water-based and elastic material that easily transmits sound waves). The bottom layer contains an adhesive that is designed to mold and stick to the surface of the skin. The top layer contains transducers that relay imaging inside the body to an external device. In between the two layers of elastomer is a hydrogel. Elastomer’s water-based properties keep the hydrogel hydrated, allowing continuous imaging for up to 48 hours. This design of the ultrasound stickers also addresses the ongoing limitations of traditional ultrasounds. When patients require long period scans, the hydrogel flows and dries out over time, which interrupts lengthy imaging.
This is just the beginning of ultrasound stickers. MIT engineers are working towards making the stickers function completely wirelessly. They are developing artificial intelligence software that can better interpret and diagnose images all on a patient’s phone rather than an ultrasound computer. The team envisions that the ultrasound stickers would be conveniently accessible and effective at monitoring vital organs, the progression of tumors, and the development of babies. "We imagine we could have a box of stickers, each designed to image a different location of the body,” Zhao, an MIT professor of engineering says, "We believe this represents a breakthrough in wearable devices and medical imaging."
Works Cited
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "Engineers develop stickers that can see inside the body: New stamp-sized ultrasound adhesives produce clear images of heart, lungs, and other internal organs." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 28 July 2022. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/07/220728142925.htm>.
Chu, Jennifer. “MIT Engineers Develop Stickers That Can See inside the Body.” MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 28 July 2022, news.mit.edu/2022/ultrasound-stickers-0728.
Kuta, Sarah. “This Wearable Ultrasound Sticker Can Continuously Image Organs for 48 Hours.” Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Aug. 2022, www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-wearable-ultrasound-sticker-can-continuously-image-organs-for-48-hours-180980504.
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