Full Body, Continuous, Wearable Ultrasound

Abstract

In the rapidly evolving field of healthcare technology, the development of wearable ultrasound systems emerges as a groundbreaking innovation with the potential to transform patient monitoring and disease detection methodologies. This thesis, titled "Full Body, Continuous, Wearable Ultrasound," by Chonghe Wang, explores the design, implementation, and impact of two pioneering wearable ultrasound technologies: the Bioadhesive Ultrasound (BAUS) and the Adjustable Wearable Ultrasound (AWUS) systems. Aimed at enabling continuous, non-invasive monitoring of internal organ health, these systems represent a significant leap forward in medical imaging and healthcare management. At the core of the BAUS system is an innovative bioadhesive hydrogel-elastomer hybrid couplant, which facilitates the attachment of ultrasound probes directly to the skin, ensuring stable, long-term imaging. Conversely, the AWUS system employs phase-transition hydrogel couplants for dynamic adjustment of probe orientation and position, allowing for optimized imaging across multiple organs. Together, these systems offer unparalleled capabilities for full-body monitoring, with potential applications ranging from early disease detection to enhanced patient care and a deeper understanding of human physiology. Through rigorous experimental validation, this research assesses the imaging quality, physiological monitoring accuracy, durability, and comfort of the BAUS and AWUS systems. Employing advanced image processing and machine learning techniques, the study analyzes data collected from continuous imaging sessions, highlighting the systems' ability to capture dynamic physiological events and detect pathological changes. This thesis underscores the transformative potential of wearable ultrasound technology in healthcare and medical research. By shifting the paradigm from episodic to continuous monitoring, it opens new avenues for proactive health management, promising to improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and advance our understanding of the human body.