A new wearable ultrasound device is offering a continuous window into the heart, providing doctors with data previously unavailable outside of traditional clinical settings. The technology allows for hours-long monitoring, revealing fluctuations and potential warning signs that might be missed during brief office visits.
Traditionally, ultrasound examinations are conducted in hospitals or clinics. This new device, however, promises to shift that paradigm. The wearable utilizes integrated ultrasound technology to observe the heart over extended periods, capturing what happens between scheduled appointments. This continuous monitoring can help identify subtle changes in heart function related to activity, stress and even sleep – factors that significantly influence cardiovascular health.
Blood pressure and cardiac output are not static. they fluctuate throughout the day. These variations are influenced by a complex interplay of movement, stress levels, and sleep patterns. The wearable captures these dynamic changes over time, providing a more realistic picture of cardiovascular function than can be obtained in a clinical snapshot. This has the potential to move a portion of cardiac monitoring out of hospitals and into patients’ everyday lives.
The development of this technology is a collaborative effort led by the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), with participation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Nanyang Technological University, and the National University of Singapore. Clinical trials are being conducted at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
Why New Materials Make Ultrasound Practical for Everyday Use
The core innovation isn’t necessarily the ultrasound itself, but rather the way it’s delivered. Traditional ultrasound requires gel, rigid probes, and a stationary patient. This new system utilizes bioadhesive materials that gently adhere to the skin and conform to the body’s movements. These materials are designed to be non-irritating, sweat-resistant, and capable of maintaining contact for extended periods.
Advanced manufacturing techniques, including 3D printing, are crucial to the device’s functionality. These techniques allow for the creation of structures at the submicrometer level, enabling the production of components with extremely fine surfaces that are optimized for contact with skin and tissue. This ensures stable contact, consistent image quality, and reliable measurements even during movement.
Long-Term Data Reveals Heart Problems Missed by Short Tests
For individuals with conditions like hypertension or heart failure, a single measurement isn’t always representative. It’s the trend over time that matters. Does blood pressure spike at night? Does cardiac output decrease with exertion? Do abnormalities occur only intermittently? A wearable ultrasound device can reveal these patterns, providing a temporal depth of information that was previously unavailable.
The volume of data generated by this device would be overwhelming for individuals to interpret on their own. The images are analyzed using artificial intelligence (AI)-powered systems. Algorithms compare trends, identify deviations, and highlight areas of concern. The goal is not to automate diagnoses, but to provide clinicians with clearer, more targeted information to inform their treatment decisions.
Clinical Trials Will Assess Real-World Usability
The system is still under development. Initial studies are focused on evaluating the reliability of long-term measurements in real-world settings. This includes assessing image quality, comfort, and stability over extended periods. The clinical trials will begin with heart patients, where changes in cardiac function are particularly relevant.
Researchers are also working on refining other components of the system, including new ultrasound transducers, optimized microelectronics, and materials that provide an even better fit against the body. The goal is to create a fully integrated platform that can be used in everyday life within the next three years.
Between Smartwatch and Clinic: A New Category of Devices Emerges
This multi-year project is supported by significant funding. Beyond the medical benefits, the development of this technology is expected to create opportunities in manufacturing, sensor technology, and data analysis, requiring specialized expertise. Medical device manufacturers are also closely watching the progress.
In the long term, wearable ultrasound could establish a new category of medical devices – bridging the gap between smartwatches and traditional clinical systems. Unlike fitness trackers, it provides imaging data from within the body, offering a level of detail and accuracy that sets it apart.
In summary:
- A wearable ultrasound device provides a continuous view of the heart, offering data beyond what’s available during brief clinical visits.
- Instead of isolated measurements, the device captures trends over time, such as changes in blood pressure or cardiac output. AI assists in identifying anomalies, providing clinicians with valuable insights.
- The technology has the potential to reduce the burden on hospitals and improve patient care by enabling remote monitoring and earlier detection of problems.
