Medical News Observer

Key Points:

• This bioadhesive wearable ultrasound elastography employs acoustic radiation force impulse technology for real-time assessment of organ stiffness.
• In an animal study, the technology detected significant changes in the stiffness of rat livers within just 6 hours of induced acute liver failure.
• The technology holds promise for critical care management, particularly in monitoring post-transplant or ICU patients.

MIT engineers have developed a novel wearable bioadhesive ultrasound elastography about the size of a postage stamp, also capable of monitoring the stiffness of internal organs. Science Advances published this study, which showcases how this sensor sends and receives sound waves through the skin to and from internal organs. The reflected wave patterns provide a measurable signature of organ rigidity, enabling continuous tracking of changes in organ stiffness over time. 

Bioadhesive wearable ultrasound elastography

Unlike conventional ultrasound elastography, which requires a handheld probe, bioadhesive ultrasound elastography utilizes acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) to induce shear waves. This enables the ongoing assessment of modulus changes. This device’s compact design features 128 channels and a 24 mm azimuth for enhanced wearability of this wearable device.

Animal study

This device monitored stiffness changes in rat livers induced with acute liver failure by d-galactosamine over 48 hours. This device identified significant changes within the first 6 hours, showing effectiveness.

Implications

This technology shows significant potential for clinical applications, especially for monitoring patients post-organ transplantation or in postoperative care within the ICU. The team is currently working on adapting the sticker for human use, aiming to create a more portable, self-contained version. This breakthrough represents a significant step forward in noninvasive medical monitoring. It offers a glimpse into a future where continuous, at-home organ health tracking could become a reality.

Reference

Liu, Hsiao-Chuan, Yushun Zeng, Chen Gong, Xiaoyu Chen, Piotr Kijanka, Junhang Zhang, Yuri Genyk, et al. 2024. “Wearable Bioadhesive Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography.” Science Advances 10 (6): eadk8426. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adk8426.