This new portable ultrasound patch is able to measure the blood pressure in the arteries deep under the skin non-invasively, thus helping to detect cardiovascular problems earlier and with greater accuracy.
A team of researchers led by the University of California, San Diego, describes their work in an article published in Nature Biomedical Engineering on September 11 where they show that the aim of the patch is to provide continuous, real-time measurement of blood pressure changes in patients with heart or lung disease and in those who are seriously ill or undergoing surgery.
It uses ultrasound, so it can be used to measure other vital signs and physiological signals from inside the body non-invasively.
This instrument measures the centric blood pressure, which is different from the blood pressure measured with the typical inflatable cuff (peripheral blood pressure). The central blood pressure is the pressure in the central blood vessels that pass blood directly from the heart to other important organs throughout the body. Medical experts believe that central blood pressure is more accurate than peripheral blood pressure and also say that it is better for predicting heart disease.
The patch is a thin sheet of silicone elastomer in the “island bridge design”: an array of small electronic components (islands) connected by resilient cables (bridges). Each island contains electrodes and devices called piezoelectric transducers, which generate ultrasonic waves when current passes through them. Interconnecting bridges consist of thin, spring-like copper wires. Through the bridge structure of the island, the entire patch adapts to the skin, stretching, doubling and twisting without compromising electronic function.