The Singapore-Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, has launched Wearable Imaging for Transforming Elderly Care (WITEC), a multi-year, multi-million-dollar initiative to develop the world’s first wearable ultrasound imaging system for intermittent 48-hour cardiovascular imaging.
Chronic diseases such as hypertension and heart failure are rising worldwide, particularly among ageing populations and patients living with multiple long-term conditions. Yet most monitoring remains episodic: a scan during a clinic visit, followed by weeks or months without imaging data.
Consumer wearables can track heart rate or steps, but they cannot capture detailed cardiovascular images. Hospital ultrasound systems can, but they are bulky, operator-dependent, and limited to short sessions in clinical settings.
WITEC aims to close that gap by enabling extended cardiovascular imaging at home and in the community, allowing clinicians to monitor structural and functional changes in the heart over time rather than relying on isolated snapshots.
The Wearable Ultrasound System
The programme revolves around a wearable ultrasound sensor designed for intermittent 48-hour cardiovascular imaging to support continuous, real-time monitoring and diagnosis of chronic conditions.
The system combines bioadhesive interfaces, ultrasonic transducers, microelectronics, nanostructured metamaterials, and AI-assisted image analysis.
The bioadhesive layer is engineered to maintain stable skin contact for up to 48 hours of imaging, a key requirement for longer monitoring periods outside hospital environments.
AI models will support image reconstruction and interpretation, enabling the analysis of large volumes of longitudinal data more efficiently.
The research follows a phased translational pathway, moving from foundational work in materials and device engineering toward a fully integrated wearable platform over the next three years.
Clinical Trials And Broader Impact
Clinical trials are expected to begin in 2026, led by senior consultants at TTSH, to assess the system’s effectiveness in long-term heart monitoring for chronic cardiovascular disease management.
Beyond clinical validation, WITEC forms part of SMART’s wider research portfolio, which includes work in antimicrobial resistance, cell therapy development, precision agriculture, AI, and 3D-sensing technologies.
The programme is expected to support advances in wearable ultrasonic imaging, AI-driven health analytics, and health-care manufacturing, while contributing to high-value research and engineering roles in Singapore and the United States.
If successful, the technology could shift parts of cardiovascular monitoring from hospital wards to patients’ homes, easing pressure on clinical resources and giving doctors access to richer, longer-term imaging data to guide treatment decisions.
Reference
SMART launches new Wearable Imaging for Transforming Elderly Care research group [Online] Available at https://news.mit.edu/2026/smart-launches-wearable-imaging-transforming-elderly-care-research-group-0203 (Accessed on 12 February 2026)
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author expressed in their private capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the Terms and conditions of use of this website.