New Wearable Ultrasound Patch for Continuous Fetal Monitoring
Researchers from the United States and Great Britain have developed a flexible, adhesive ultrasound patch designed for the continuous monitoring of fetuses during pregnancy. This palm-sized device, applied directly to the abdomen, aims to provide real-time data on fetal health.
The technology was developed through a collaboration between engineers from the University of California San Diego, Stanford Medicine, and the University of Oxford. Their findings were recently published in the journal Nature Biotechnology.
Moving Beyond the “Snapshot”
Traditional prenatal ultrasounds typically provide “snapshots” of fetal health, requiring a qualified professional to manually manipulate a probe and interpret images. This method can leave gaps in monitoring between appointments.
The new wearable patch is designed to monitor the blood flow of the fetus and the umbilical cord continuously. To maintain accuracy, the researchers developed algorithms that automatically track the umbilical cord, even when the mother or the fetus changes position.
Geonho (Tom) Park, a co-first author of the study, stated that this portable ultrasound technology has the potential to improve pregnancy outcomes in ways that were previously impossible.
Life-Saving Detection in Clinical Trials
The device underwent a multicenter clinical study at the John Radcliffe Hospital at the University of Oxford and the Jacobs Medical centre of UC San Diego Health. Data was collected from 62 pregnancies, including healthy ones and those complicated by hypertension, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or fetal growth restriction.
While the patch’s results were statistically equivalent to traditional Doppler ultrasound machines, it proved critical in one specific case. For a participant at 28 weeks of pregnancy, the patch detected abnormal blood flow in the umbilical cord despite a normal initial heart rate check.
This discovery led doctors to confirm severe placental dysfunction. The patient was placed under close surveillance and delivered via C-section four days later at 29 weeks. The baby was treated in neonatal intensive care and recovered well.
The Future of Prenatal Surveillance
Current tools like cardiotocography often lose signals when a fetus moves, requiring staff to frequently reposition sensors. Jane Chueh, a high-risk obstetrics specialist at Stanford Medicine, noted that this process can be extremely stressful for both the patient and the medical team.
Medical professionals hope this patch will help them better determine the optimal moment to trigger delivery when a baby is no longer receiving sufficient nutrients or oxygen.
A possible next step for the researchers is the development of a wireless version of the patch. Such an advancement could potentially allow patients to be monitored from home or improve access to care in regions where specialized equipment and qualified sonographers are scarce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does the ultrasound patch monitor?
The device monitors the blood flow of the fetus and the umbilical cord in real time.
Which institutions were involved in the development of this technology?
The patch was developed by engineers from the University of California San Diego, Stanford Medicine, and the University of Oxford.
How does this patch differ from a standard ultrasound?
Unlike standard ultrasounds that provide intermittent images and require manual operation by a professional, this patch provides continuous monitoring and uses algorithms to track the fetus automatically.
Do you think wearable health technology will eventually become a standard part of prenatal care?