Scientists have developed a stick-on ultrasound device that can continuously track a baby's health in the womb, potentially catching complications that current technology misses.
The patch, called UPatch, can be worn for hours, imaging the fetus and monitoring blood flow in real time, including moving structures like the umbilical cord.
It was developed by a team led by Professor Sheng Xu at Stanford University, along with researchers from Oxford University and UC San Diego. Findings were published in the journal Nature Biotechnology.
Why current monitoring methods fall short
Current methods provide either brief snapshots or continuous data riddled with false alarms. UPatch aims to track blood flow and fetal health over hours automatically, without needing a specialist in the room.
In trials involving 62 pregnant participants, the device’s readings closely matched standard handheld ultrasound.
What researchers discovered about fetal blood flow
The device revealed that fetal blood flow can fluctuate dynamically over time, with temporary changes that may not signal a persistent problem.
In one severe pre-eclampsia case, the patch detected worrying changes, leading doctors to increase monitoring and perform a caesarean delivery four days later.
For now, UPatch remains a proof-of-concept, requiring a wired backend and a conventional ultrasound scan for positioning. Further clinical trials are needed. Future versions could be fully wireless and compact.