New Wearable Ultrasound Device Promises to Revolutionize Pregnancy Care
Scientists from the University of California San Diego, Stanford, and Oxford have developed a new wearable ultrasound patch, known as UPatch, which could significantly enhance pregnancy care. This innovative device is designed to provide continuous monitoring of a developing fetus without the need for a traditional handheld ultrasound or a sonographer. The UPatch adheres to the skin of the abdomen and uses high-frequency sound waves to capture real-time images of the fetus. It can autonomously measure anatomical features such as head circumference and femur length, providing an estimated fetal weight. Despite requiring a bulky backend power system and being less effective when the mother is moving, the UPatch offers a hands-free solution to fetal monitoring. The device has been tested on 62 pregnancies, showing performance comparable to current ultrasound devices and even detecting critical conditions like preeclampsia. 
