Researchers develop algorithm, flexible device for ultrasound
The Air Force Research Laboratory recognizes the need for remote physiological monitoring during en route medical care. As such, researchers have conceived a flexible ultrasound device to serve this requirement.
Performing medical ultrasound usually requires the use of a hand-held rigid arrangement of transducers that send ultrasonic pulses into the tissue and receive resulting reflections from the tissue. An image of the tissue can be reconstructed based off the time it takes to send and receive the reflected ultrasonic pulse.
Itwould be advantageous to enable hands-free continuous ultrasound monitoring by replacing the hand-held wand and technician with a flexible transducer array that can be applied directly on a person.
The location of each transducer is necessary to properly identify subsurface features and structures when forming the image. Currently, the transducer location is unknown when the flexible patch of transducers is placed on an uneven surface.
AFRL has developed an algorithm to determine the location of transducers in a flexible arrangement, so that an ultrasound image can be determined without for a rigid array of transducers.
This new technology could eventually replace hand-held wands operated by ultrasound technicians, enabling hands-free continuous monitoring of wounds and vital medical information such as respiration rate, heartbeat, and feeding tube placement, none of which are currently available.
This flexible ultrasound device could also simplify the emergency care delivery process by providing real-time information and automated warnings to diagnose medical problems in an expeditious manner by enabling constant monitoring of injured airmen.
For more information, contact the Corporate Communications Office at AFRL. RX.CorpComm@us.af.mil.
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The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Air Force and Space Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace force.
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