Engineers have developed a wearable ultrasound device that can provide long-term, wireless monitoring of muscle activity with potential applications in healthcare and human-machine interfaces. Designed to stick to the skin with a layer of adhesive and powered by a battery, the device enables high-resolution tracking of muscle function without invasive procedures. In tests, the device was worn over the rib cage to monitor diaphragm motion and thickness, which are useful for assessing respiratory health. By tracking diaphragm activity, the technology could potentially support patients with respiratory conditions and those reliant on mechanical ventilation.

This wearable ultrasound technology may offer a promising new alternative to the current clinical standard, electromyography (EMG), which involves applying metal electrodes on the skin to record electrical muscle activity. The new ultrasound technology has the additional advantages of being compact, wireless, and low power.

The device is housed in a flexible silicone elastomer casing and consists of three main components: a single transducer for sending and receiving ultrasound waves; a custom-designed wireless circuit that controls the transducer, records data and wirelessly transmits the data to a computer; and a lithium-polymer battery that can power the system for at least three hours. A key innovation of this work is the use of a single ultrasound transducer to sense deep tissues effectively.

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Topics:
Health Monitors and Activity Trackers Imaging Medical Wearables

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    This article first appeared in the March, 2025 issue of Medical Design Briefs Magazine (Vol. 15 No. 3).

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