Student develops battery-powered pocket ultrasound device

Posted on 2008-12-22 04:36:13 in Biotechnology | Medical Technology |
A graduate student has developed a groundbreaking battery-powered pocket ultrasound device that has dozens of potential applications.

A graduate student has developed a groundbreaking battery-powered pocket ultrasound device that has dozens of potential applications.

The smallest ultrasound devices currently on the market weight around 30 pounds and cost at least $20,000, however George K Lewis, a graduate student at Cornell University, has developed a high-energy palm-sized device that cost just $100 to build.

It is thought that the device will be useful in a wide range of clinical applications, from treating conditions such as prostate tumors or kidney stones by breaking them up, to relieving symptoms of arthritis, and even helping to treat brain cancer by aiding drug delivery to the brain.  Because the device is powered by an internal battery, it means that it will be especially useful for “military, ambulatory, and remote medical applications.”

Peter Henderson, M.D., chief research fellow at Weill Cornell's Laboratory for Bioregenerative Medicine and Surgery, is currently testing one of the ultrasound devices to see if it can be used to help reduce tissue damage caused by reduced blood flow. "People are realizing that when harnessed appropriately, you can use ultrasound to treat things as opposed to just diagnose them," Henderson said in a news release. "It's a wide-open field right now, and George's device is going to play a huge role in catalyzing the discovery of new and better therapeutic applications."

Lewis GK. Olbricht WL. Development of a portable therapeutic and high intensity ultrasound system for military, medical, and research use. Rev Sci Instrum. 2008;79:114302

News release: Groundbreaking, inexpensive, pocket-sized ultrasound device can help treat cancer, relieve arthritis. Cornell University. December 18th 2008.

 

Health Headlines MORE »

Pepper Compounds for Weight Management
Capsaicin (found in hot peppers) and capsiates (present in sweet peppers) exert modest weight management benefits.
Americans Lag in Preventive Screenings
While over 20% of U.S. adults receive periodic health examinations each year, many do not receive recommended preventive screening tests and counseling services
The Stress – Obesity Connection
Researchers from Norway suggest a mechanism by which stress may make a person fat, and being obese may create stress.
Lack of Sleep Triggers Hunger
Swedish researchers report that people who are short on sleep experience greater levels of hunger.
Knock Out Anxiety
Among women with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), regular physical activity helps to reduce anxiety, irritability, feelings of tension, low energy and pain.
Magnesium Helps to Reduce Stroke Risk
For every 100 mg per-day increase in magnesium in the diet, stroke risk may decline by up to 9%.
Senior Runners Continue to Excel
The best male marathon runners over age 65, and the best female marathon runners over age 45, continue to consistently improve their performance.
Stem Cell Therapy Restores Vision
UCLA-led team safely uses human embryonic stem cells to treat macular degeneration.
Beware the Office Air
First-of-its-kind study reports that indoor air in offices is an important source of worker exposure to potentially toxic substances.
One in Five US Adults Afflicted with Mental Illness
Twenty percent of Americans ages 18+ experienced a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder in 2010.
Anti-Aging Forum Anti-Aging Forum Anti-Aging Forum Anti-Aging Forum
Anti-Aging textbook Anti-Aging Forum MLDP Anti-aging jobs Join A4M
ANTI-AGING TIP OF THE DAY
A Bright Future
University of Southern Denmark researchers report that more than half of the babies born today in developed countries will live to be 100, and the extended lifespan will likely come with fewer disabilities and limitations. Writing that: “If the pace of increase in life expectancy in developed countries over the past two centuries continues through the 21st century...
» MORE