MIT engineers have created a sticker that makes ultrasound of the internal organs

Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology created an unusual sticker the size of a postage stamp. It allows you to perform ultrasound examination of internal organs without the need to renew the hydrogel and hold the ultrasound probe by hand or with the help of a robot.

The new sticker is placed directly on the skin, and sensors are connected to it that emit ultrasonic waves. It consists of the same hydrogel used for conventional ultrasound, wrapped in an elastomer membrane. It prevents the gel from drying out and does not interfere with the passage of waves.

Such devices will allow pregnant women to monitor the condition of the fetus. The creators also offer other applications: for example, for diagnosing and checking the dynamics of cancerous tumors. If the technology becomes available, it will help speed up the detection and treatment of diseases of the internal organs.

The press release notes that the patches can be used in conjunction: attach them to different parts of the body and combine data from them into single scans. It is also planned to add an analysis function using artificial intelligence to get a preliminary diagnosis without going to a doctor. A professional examination will not replace this, but it will allow you to find out at home what you should pay attention to.

True, in order for the patches to be bought at a pharmacy and used at home, they need to be made wireless (well, tested in the FDA and similar departments). They are already working on this, but so far they have not even given approximate dates.