UBC researchers develop wearable ultrasound device the size of a Band-Aid

A made-in-B.C. technological breakthrough has the promise of providing easy and cheap access to ultrasound scans.

Engineers at the University of British Columbia have designed and developed a tiny ultrasound probe. No bigger than a Band-Aid, the ultrasound consists of tiny vibrating drums of polymer resin and costs less than $100.

“These vibrating drums… we have thousands of them in a single ultrasound chip and they vibrate and produce ultrasound,” researcher Carlos Gerardo said.

The device sticks to the skin and can transmit data to a smartphone or tablet. The scanner is also flexible, opening up the technology to a wide range of new uses.

WATCH: A team of researchers at the University of British Columbia have created a mini, portable ultrasound. Robin Gill reports. 

2:43 The Innovators: UBC researchers behind new ultrasound advancement

Edmond Cretu, a professor of electrical and computer engineering, says the device generates sonograms that are ones produced by traditional ultrasound devices.

Cretu says there is still much work to be done until the devices are on the market, joining a wave of promising technology that could change health care.

“Some of them might sound like science fiction but they are already here,” Cretu said.