New Startup Innovates Ultrasound Patch for Brain Blood Flow Measurement

Researchers in the US have made significant strides in the development of a wearable ultrasound patch designed for continuous and non-invasive monitoring of blood flow in the brain. The innovative technology, created at the University of California San Diego, offers a new dimension in wearable tech by providing three-dimensional data on cerebral blood flow. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the way blood flow in the brain is monitored.

The ultrasound patch, which is soft, stretchy, and about the size of a postage stamp, is embedded with layers of stretchy electronics. One key layer contains small piezoelectric transducers that emit and receive ultrasound waves, while another layer features a copper mesh that enhances signal quality by reducing interference from the wearer's body and surroundings. This cutting-edge design overcomes the limitations of current handheld transcranial Doppler ultrasound sensors, allowing for continuous monitoring.

Softsonics, a startup founded with the goal of commercializing this technology, aims to bring this wearable ultrasound patch to the market. The patch's ability to be worn comfortably on the temple for extended periods opens up new possibilities for monitoring cerebral blood flow in a variety of settings. This advancement builds upon the stretchable patch technology initially developed at UCSD in 2018, showcasing the university's commitment to innovation in healthcare.

For the patch to function, it needs to be connected to a power source and a computer via cables. The integration of ultrafast ultrasound imaging into the system enables the capture of thousands of images per second, providing detailed data on blood flow dynamics in the brain. Custom algorithms are then used to process the data and reconstruct essential 3D information about the brain's major arteries, such as size, angle, and position.

According to Sai Zhou, a materials science and engineering Ph.D. candidate involved in the research, the continuous monitoring capability of the patch fills a crucial gap in current clinical practices. By offering real-time data on cerebral blood flow, the device can potentially detect fluctuations that may go unnoticed with traditional monitoring methods. This capability could be life-saving for patients at risk of conditions like stroke, providing timely intervention when needed.