28.03.2024

Northwestern University and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed an ultrasound sticker, offering a new way for clinicians to monitor patients' organ health and deep tissue post-surgery.

This sticker is designed to detect abnormal fluid leaks that indicate post-surgical complications, such as anastomotic leaks, with unprecedented sensitivity and specificity.

Image: Three variations of the ultrasound sticker displayed on a fingertip for scale; Copyright: Northwestern University

The ultrasound stickers are a first-of-its-kind device ‘tags’ for an organ to monitor abnormal, life-threatening fluid leaks.

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A leap forward in patient monitoring

Detecting anastomotic leaks: Traditional methods fall short in non-invasively spotting these life-threatening leaks. The ultrasound sticker presents a novel, non-invasive way to detect and intervene earlier in post-surgery complications.
Biocompatible and bioresorbable: The sticker dissolves naturally after recovery, eliminating the need for surgical removal.

How the ultrasound sticker works

The device, a collaboration between researchers led by John A. Rogers and postdoctoral fellow Jiaqi Liu at Northwestern, along with Dr. Chet Hammill and Dr. Matthew MacEwan at Washington University, employs hydrogel materials to detect changes in the body's pH levels – an early sign of potential complications. When applied to an organ, the sticker's shape changes are visible via ultrasound imaging, providing real-time monitoring without invasive procedures.

Clinical impact and evaluation

Advantages over existing methods: According to Dr. Hammill, traditional imaging scans cannot reliably detect fluid leaks post-surgery. The ultrasound sticker’s ability to monitor pH changes offers critical, actionable data that current methods cannot.
Software for image analysis: To assist clinicians in interpreting ultrasound images, the team developed software that automatically detects the movement of embedded metal disks within the sticker, further enhancing its practical application.

Future directions

With promising results from animal model tests, the research team is looking at extending the device's capabilities. Plans include developing similar tags for detecting internal bleeding or temperature changes, broadening the potential applications of this innovative technology.

The project received support from various institutions, including the National Science Foundation, the National Cancer Institute, and the Querrey-Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics. The interdisciplinary team's work represents a significant stride towards improving surgical outcomes and patient quality of life through advanced, non-invasive monitoring technologies.

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: Northwestern University

More about the Northwestern University at: www.northwestern.edu