Wearable focused ultrasound patch for precision neural monitoring and stimulation

This technology is a flexible, wearable ultrasound patch that enables high-precision, non-invasive neural monitoring and stimulation.

Unmet Need: Portable, non-invasive ultrasound system for neuromodulation

Ultrasound has emerged as a promising non-invasive approach for neural monitoring and stimulation because it can achieve high spatial precision and penetrate deep into the brain. However, existing ultrasound systems are typically bulky, expensive, and require specialized equipment and trained personnel, limiting their accessibility outside specialized clinical settings. There is a need for compact, wearable ultrasound platforms that enable precise, non-invasive neuromodulation while reducing cost and complexity.

The Technology: Flexible wearable ultrasound patch for precise neural modulation

The technology is a flexible, wearable ultrasound phased-array path that integrates an array of ultrasound transducers with an ultrathin complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) chip. The integrated electronics dynamically control ultrasound transmission and reception, enabling electronic focusing and adaptation of ultrasound parameters to precisely target specific regions of the body. The fabrication process includes thinning the CMOS chip to increase flexibility and integrating the transducers using established microfabrication techniques, providing a compact, non-invasive platform for ultrasound-based neuromodulation and sensing.

Applications:

• Non-invasive brain stimulation for neurological disorders
• Peripheral nerve stimulation for pain management
• Combined ultrasound imaging and stimulation for real-time functional brain mapping
• Deep tissue physiological monitoring
• Monitoring vascular dynamics and blood flow in superficial and deep tissues
• Continuous, at-home neuromodulation systems for long-term therapy
• Brain-computer interfaces

Advantages:

• Wearable, non-invasive platform for ultrasound-based neural monitoring and stimulation
• Enables precise neuromodulation with deep tissue access
• Compact and flexible design for portable application
• Supports closed-loop operation through real-time ultrasound feedback

Lead Inventor:

Kenneth Shepard, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending (US20240407757)

Related Publications:

• Elloian J, Jadwiszczak J, Arslan V, Sherman JD, Kessler DO, Shepard KL. Flexible ultrasound transceiver array for non-invasive surface-conformable imaging enabled by geometric phase correction. Sci Rep. 2022 Sep 28;12(1):16184.

• Costa T, Shi C, Tien K, Elloian J, Cardoso FA, Shepard KL. An Integrated 2D Ultrasound Phased Array Transmitter in CMOS With Pixel Pitch-Matched Beamforming. IEEE Trans Biomed Circuits Syst. 2021 Aug;15(4):731-742.

Tech Ventures Reference:

• IR CU17179

• Licensing Contact: Greg Maskel