Sheng Xu and colleagues have developed a wearable, stretchable device that non-invasively evaluates the stiffness of human tissue, at an improved penetration depth, and for a longer period than, existing methods.
An ultrasonic array facilitates serial, non-invasive, three-dimensional imaging of tissues, four centimeters below the surface of human skin, at a spatial resolution of 0.5 millimeters.
The sensor can be used to detect cancer progression, which cases cells to stiffen; diagnose and treat sports injuries, by monitoring muscles, ligaments and tendons; and monitor the efficacy of treatments for liver, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, which cause tissue to stiffen.