Emerging Wearable Ultrasound Technology

This perspective article provides a brief overview on materials, fabrications, beamforming, and applications for wearable ultrasound devices, a rapidly growing field with versatile implications. Recent developments in miniaturization and soft electronics have significantly advanced wearable ultrasound devices. Such devices offer distinctive advantages over traditional ultrasound probes, including prolonged usability and operator independence, and have demonstrated their effectiveness in continuous monitoring, noninvasive therapies, and advanced human–machine interfaces. Wearable ultrasound devices can be classified into three main categories: rigid, flexible, and stretchable, each having distinctive properties and fabrication strategies. Key unique strategies in device design, packaging, and beamforming for each type of wearable ultrasound devices are reviewed. Furthermore, we highlight the latest applications enabled by wearable ultrasound technology in various areas. This article concludes by discussing the outstanding challenges within the field and outlines potential pathways for future advancements.

I. Introduction

For decades, ultrasound has been a cornerstone of clinical procedures due to its cost-effectiveness, noninvasiveness, safety, versatility, and convenience [1], [2]. Traditional ultrasound probes are bulky, operator-dependent, and confined to clinical settings for short durations [3]. Recent advancements in materials design and advanced fabrication have led to wearable ultrasound devices, offering low form factors, operator independence, and continuous monitoring even outside the hospital [4]. The low form factors are achieved with performance comparable to conventional ultrasound probes. Wearable devices can maintain a fixed position on the body without an operator to hold them and thus eliminate operator dependence. Additionally, they can be worn for continuous and long-term monitoring without being limited by operator fatigue or requiring the subject to remain stationary for long durations. This rapidly emerging field has shown promise to be effective for continuous health monitoring [4], [5], delivering drugs [6], assisting wound healing [7], and facilitating human interfaces [8]. Wearable ultrasound technology can potentially transform healthcare and bring value-added benefits to various stakeholders at large, including patients, healthcare providers, and clinical researchers. This perspective article provides an overview of the current status of wearable ultrasound technology, followed by the sharing of our thoughts on several future directions.