A team of scientists has developed a wearable ultrasound patch, UPatch, which allows for continuous monitoring of the fetus in the womb. The device records heartbeat and blood flow in real time, which opens up new opportunities for early detection of complications during pregnancy. Testing of the patch has confirmed its effectiveness compared to traditional ultrasound methods.
Briefly about the development
- An ultrasound patch for continuous monitoring of the fetus in the womb was created.
- UPatch allows you to monitor heart rate and blood flow in real time.
- Testing confirmed that the results were consistent with traditional ultrasound.
Innovations in prenatal diagnostics
Scientists have created an ultrasonic patch UPatch, which provides continuous monitoring of the fetus in the womb. The device allows you to track heartbeat, blood flow and umbilical cord movements in real time, which is unique in modern medical technology. UPatch is able to work for several hours in a row, providing a constant flow of data.
The developers emphasise that traditional ultrasound methods are limited to short scans that are carried out only in medical institutions. According to Professor Sheng Xu from Stanford University, this leads to the loss of important information between visits. Continuous monitoring allows you to identify unique signals and patterns, which contributes to a more accurate diagnosis.
Practical application and development prospects
The UPatch has been tested in the United States and the United Kingdom with more than 60 pregnant women. Comparison of blood flow readings recorded by the UPatch with traditional manual ultrasound showed the device's high accuracy. In one case, the patch helped to detect serious pre-eclampsia complications, which led to a timely caesarean section and prevented intrauterine death.
The development team is working on a wireless version of the patch that can be used at home and during the normal activities of a pregnant woman. Such a device is particularly relevant for low- and middle-income countries where access to healthcare is limited. Professor Antonia Georgieva from the University of Oxford noted that UPatch can not only save lives, but also open up new knowledge in the field of prenatal health.
