Wearable ultrasound patch enables continuous fetal monitoring

A team of researchers has developed a wearable ultrasound patch designed to continuously monitor fetal health in high-risk pregnancies, potentially addressing significant limitations in current prenatal care. The device, a flexible adhesive sticker about the size of a palm, adheres to the abdomen and provides real-time data on blood flow in the fetus and umbilical cord over extended periods.

The technology was created by engineers and scientists from Stanford Medicine, the University of California San Diego, and Oxford University. Their findings, published in the journal Nature Biotechnology, detail a proof-of-concept device that aims to bridge a gap in fetal surveillance. Current monitoring methods, such as intermittent Doppler ultrasound scans or cardiotocography, often provide only brief snapshots or can be prone to false alarms and signal loss due to fetal movement. These methods also typically require trained technicians and scheduled appointments, making continuous monitoring impractical and stressful for patients and staff.

The new patch connects via a cable to a computer system that interprets ultrasound data. A key innovation is an image-segmentation algorithm that...