Wearable ultrasound patch monitors babies in womb continuously
The Story
Scientists have created a wearable ultrasound patch called UPatch that can continuously monitor babies in the womb. Researchers say the device could aid early detection of pregnancy complications by providing real-time data.
Key Facts
- The device was developed by researchers at Stanford University and the University of Oxford, among others.
- It is described as a proof-of-concept device currently tethered to external electronics, requiring traditional ultrasound for initial placement.
- The team reported their findings in the journal Nature Biotechnology.
- In one test involving 62 pregnant participants, UPatch’s blood flow measurements closely agreed with those from standard handheld ultrasound devices.
- In another test, the device continuously monitored foetal heart rate and blood flow in 52 pregnant women.
- One pre-eclamptic case led to a caesarean delivery to prevent stillbirth, according to the team.
- The team is developing a wireless version for continuous daily use, including at home.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
- The timeline for development of a wireless version is not provided in the source article.
- The source article does not specify when UPatch might become commercially available.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Prof Sheng Xu, senior author, Stanford University
- Dr Antoniya Georgieva, senior author, University of Oxford
- Tom Park, lead author, PhD student at UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering
Sources: The Guardian
