URGENT UPDATE: A groundbreaking wearable ultrasound sensor has just been developed by a team at KAIST, providing noninvasive treatment options with its innovative, adjustable design. This significant advancement addresses previous limitations of wearable ultrasound technology and has the potential to transform medical treatments.
The research team, led by Professor Hyunjoo Jenny Lee from the School of Electrical Engineering, has created a flexible ultrasound sensor that can conform to the body’s shape while delivering high-resolution imaging and therapeutic capabilities. This breakthrough is detailed in a recent publication in npj Flexible Electronics, solidifying its importance in the medical field.
Traditionally, wearable ultrasound sensors have suffered from low power output and structural instability, which hindered their effectiveness. The new sensor employs a unique “flex-to-rigid (FTR)” design utilizing capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUT), enabling it to switch between flexible and rigid states. A low-melting-point alloy (LMPA) embedded in the device allows it to deform under electrical stimulation and solidify in a desired curvature, enhancing its functionality.
This innovation enables the sensor to automatically focus ultrasound energy on specific areas of the body without the need for additional beamforming electronics, ensuring stable performance even with frequent bending. The acoustic output matches that of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), which has been shown to stimulate tissues gently, promoting therapeutic effects without damaging surrounding areas.
In initial tests with animal models, the sensor demonstrated promising results, including reduced inflammation and improved mobility in arthritis cases. This noninvasive approach could lead to significant advancements in pain management and treatment efficacy, directly impacting patient quality of life.
Looking ahead, the KAIST team plans to expand this technology into a two-dimensional array structure, allowing multiple sensors to work together for simultaneous high-resolution imaging and treatment. This could pave the way for a new generation of smart medical systems that are both effective and user-friendly.
The compatibility of this technology with existing semiconductor fabrication processes suggests that it can be mass-produced, making it accessible for wearable and home-use ultrasound systems.
As this research continues to develop, it represents a significant leap forward in medical technology, with the potential to redefine how we approach noninvasive treatments. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting breakthrough that could change the landscape of medical devices forever.
For more information on this study, refer to the work by Sang-Mok Lee and Xiaojia Liang, co-first authors, under the supervision of Professor Hyunjoo Jenny Lee, featured in npj Flexible Electronics.
