URGENT UPDATE: A groundbreaking development in wearable medical technology has emerged from a research team at KAIST. They have just announced a flexible ultrasound sensor capable of delivering noninvasive treatments with an adjustable design, revolutionizing how we approach therapy and imaging.
This innovative sensor overcomes previous limitations posed by conventional wearable ultrasound devices, which have struggled with low power output and structural instability. The new design allows for precise, body-conforming imaging and effective therapeutic applications using ultrasound energy—a significant leap forward in medical technology.
Led by Professor Hyunjoo Jenny Lee from the School of Electrical Engineering, the team developed a “flex-to-rigid (FTR)” capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT). This device can switch between flexible and rigid states using a semiconductor wafer process known as MEMS. The findings were published in npj Flexible Electronics.
The FTR sensor incorporates a low-melting-point alloy (LMPA) that dynamically adjusts the sensor’s curvature. By applying an electric current, the alloy melts, allowing the structure to reshape. Once the current is removed, the alloy cools and solidifies, maintaining the desired curvature. This flexibility enables the sensor to focus ultrasound precisely on targeted areas, eliminating the need for separate beamforming electronics.
The implications are profound. Conventional ultrasound sensors, often limited by low acoustic power, produced blurred images and lacked curvature control. In contrast, the new FTR design combines a rigid silicon substrate with a flexible elastomer bridge, achieving both high output performance and mechanical adaptability.
The acoustic output of this device reaches levels comparable to low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), which has shown promise in stimulating tissues safely and effectively. In animal model trials, noninvasive spleen stimulation demonstrated a remarkable reduction in inflammation and enhanced mobility in arthritis models.
Looking ahead, the KAIST team plans to expand this technology into a two-dimensional (2D) array structure. This advancement will enable multiple sensors to work together, facilitating simultaneous high-resolution ultrasound imaging and therapeutic applications. Such developments could lead to a new generation of smart medical systems, paving the way for more accessible healthcare solutions.
The technology’s compatibility with semiconductor fabrication processes also suggests it can be mass-produced, making it adaptable for both wearable and home-use ultrasound systems.
This research, conducted by Sang-Mok Lee and Xiaojia Liang, along with their collaborators, represents a significant milestone in the field of medical technology. With the potential to transform treatment modalities and enhance patient outcomes, this breakthrough is set to change the landscape of noninvasive medical treatments.
Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting development in healthcare technology, which could soon be available to patients around the world.
