MIT engineers have successfully created a groundbreaking wearable ultrasound sticker that could revolutionize the early detection of organ failure and the progression of diseases. The stamp-sized device, resembling a postage stamp, has the ability to monitor the stiffness of internal organs deep within the body. This innovative technology could significantly improve patient outcomes and enhance healthcare monitoring.

In a recent study published in Science Advances, the research team at MIT showcased their ultrasound sticker's potential to continuously monitor changes in organ rigidity for extended durations, which is critical for the early diagnosis of internal organ failure. These stickers can be worn on the skin, enabling easy and non-invasive monitoring of organs such as the liver, kidneys, and solid tumors.

The ultrasound sticker functions by sending sound waves through the skin and into the body, where they bounce off internal organs and return to the sticker. The pattern of reflected waves provides valuable information about the organ's rigidity, which the sticker can measure and track over time. Clinicians can interpret these signals to identify signs of disease progression, such as acute liver failure or rejection after an organ transplant.

Preliminary experiments demonstrated the sticker's effectiveness in detecting early signs of acute liver failure in rats. The researchers found that the sticker could continuously monitor organ stiffness for up to 48 hours and identified clear indicators of organ failure. These findings highlight the potential of the ultrasound sticker to provide timely intervention and proactive treatment.

The engineers are now focused on adapting the design for human use, with a particular application in intensive care units (ICUs). In an ICU setting, the stickers could be used to continuously monitor patients recovering from organ transplants, allowing doctors to quickly detect any changes in organ stiffness and take immediate action. This early intervention could potentially save lives and improve outcomes for patients.

The ultrasound sticker offers a more convenient and continuous monitoring alternative to traditional ultrasound elastography, which requires a handheld probe and periodic examinations. The researchers utilized advanced fabrication techniques to incorporate 128 miniature transducers onto a small chip, enabling the miniaturization of the ultrasound sticker without compromising sensitivity.

The team envisions future advancements where the sticker's design can be further optimized, allowing for a fully portable, self-enclosed version. This would enable patients to wear the sticker at home, extending the monitoring duration and tracking the progression of conditions such as solid tumors, which tend to harden as they become more severe.

"This is a life-saving technology platform," emphasizes Xuanhe Zhao, senior author and professor of mechanical engineering at MIT. The potential for individuals to wear multiple stickers to measure vital signs and continuously monitor the health of major organs could transform healthcare practices and improve overall patient well-being.

The MIT engineers are collaborating with clinicians to further refine and adapt the ultrasound sticker for use in ICU patients, and they are optimistic about the sticker's potential to assist in vital healthcare monitoring in the near future.

The study was published in Science Advances.

Source: MIT News, Science Advances