Sports
Wearable Sensor Uses Ultrasound to Provide Cardiac Imaging On the Go
UC San Diego engineers lead development of a powerful new ultrasound sensor system for cardiac imaging that even works during a workout
Newswise — Engineers and physicians have developed a wearable ultrasound device that can assess both the structure and function of the human heart. The portable device, which is roughly the size of a postage stamp, can be worn for up to 24 hours and works even during strenuous exercise.
The goal is to make ultrasound more accessible to a larger population, said Sheng Xu, a professor of nanoengineering at the University of California San Diego, who is leading the project. Currently, echocardiograms– ultrasound examinations for the heart– require highly trained technicians and bulky devices.
“The technology enables anybody to use ultrasound imaging on the go,” Xu said.
Thanks to custom AI algorithms, the device is capable of measuring how much blood the heart is pumping. This is important because the heart not pumping enough blood is at the root of most cardiovascular diseases. And issues with heart function often manifest only when the body is in motion.
The work is described in the Jan. 25 issue of the journal Nature.
Cardiac imaging is an essential clinical tool to assess long-term heart health, detect problems as they arise and care for critically ill patients. This new wearable, non-invasive heart monitor for humans provides real-time, automated insights on the difficult-to-capture pumping activity of the heart, even when a person is exercising.
The wearable heart monitoring system uses ultrasound to continuously capture images of the four chambers of the heart in different angles, and analyze a clinically relevant subset of the images in real time using a custom-built AI technology. The project builds on the team’s previous advances in wearable imaging technologies for deep tissues.
“The increasing risk of heart diseases calls for more advanced and inclusive monitoring procedures,” Xu said. “By providing patients and doctors with more thorough details, continuous and real-time cardiac image monitoring is poised to fundamentally optimize and reshape the paradigm of cardiac diagnoses.”
In comparison, existing non-invasive methods have limited sampling capabilities and provide limited data. The wearable technology developed by Xu’s team enables safe, non-invasive and high-quality cardiac imaging, resulting in images with high spatial resolution, temporal resolution and contrast. “It also minimizes patient discomfort and overcomes some limitations of noninvasive technologies such as CT and PET, which could expose patients to radiation,” said Hao Huang, a PhD student in the Xu group at UC San Diego.
The unique design of the sensor makes it ideal for bodies in motion. “The device can be attached to the chest with minimal constraint to the subjects’ movement, even providing a continuous recording of cardiac activities before, during and after exercise,” said Xiaoxiang Gao, a postdoctoral researcher in the Xu group at UC San Diego.
The importance of cardiac imaging
Cardiac diseases are the leading cause of death among the elderly, and are also becoming more prevalent among the young due to lifestyle factors. The signs of cardiac diseases are transient and unpredictable, making them hard to spot. This has upped demand for more advanced, inclusive, non-invasive and cost-effective monitoring technologies such as long-term cardiac imaging, which this wearable device facilitates.
Cardiac imaging is one of the most powerful tools for screening and diagnosing cardiac issues before they become problems. “The heart undergoes all kinds of different pathologies,” said Hongjie Hu, a postdoctoral researcher in the Xu lab at UC San Diego. “Cardiac imaging will disclose the true story underneath. Whether it be that a strong but normal contraction of heart chambers leads to the fluctuation of volumes, or that a cardiac morphological problem has occurred as an emergency, real-time image monitoring on the heart tells the whole picture in vivid detail and visual effect.”
How it works in detail
The new system gathers information through a wearable patch as soft as human skin, designed for optimal adherence. The patch measures 1.9 cm (L) x 2.2 cm (W) x 0.09 cm (T) , about the size of a postage stamp. It sends and receives the ultrasound waves which are used to generate a constant stream of images of the structure of the heart in real time. This ultrasound patch is soft and stretchable, and it adheres well to human skin, even during exercise.
The system can examine the left ventricle of the heart in separate bi-plane views using ultrasound, generating more clinically useful images than were previously available. As a use case, the team demonstrated imaging of the heart during exercise, which is not possible with the rigid, cumbersome equipment used in clinical settings.
The performance of the heart is characterized by three factors: stroke volume (the volume of blood the heart pumps out each beat), ejection fraction (the percentage of blood pumped out of the left ventricle of the heart every beat) and cardiac output (the volume of blood the heart pumps out every minute).
Xu’s team developed an algorithm to facilitate continuous, AI-assisted automatic processing.
“A deep learning model automatically segments the shape of the left ventricle from the continuous image recording, extracting its volume frame-by-frame and yielding waveforms to measure stroke volume, cardiac output and ejection fraction,” said Mohan Li, a master’s student in the Xu group at UC San Diego.
“Specifically, the AI component involves a deep learning model for image segmentation, an algorithm for heart volume calculation, and a data imputation algorithm,” said Ruixiang Qi, a master’s student in the Xu group at UC San Diego. “We use this machine learning model to calculate the heart volume based on the shape and area of the left ventricle segmentation. The imaging-segmentation deep learning model is the first to be functionalized in wearable ultrasound devices. It enables the device to provide accurate and continuous waveforms of key cardiac indices in different physical states, including static and after exercise, which has never been achieved before.”
Thus, this technology can generate curves of these three indices continuously and noninvasively, as the AI component processes the continuous stream of images to generate numbers and curves.
To create the platform, the team faced some technical challenges that required careful decision-making. To produce the wearable device itself, the researchers used a piezoelectric 1-3 composite bonded with Ag-epoxy backing as the material for transducers in the ultrasound imager, reducing risk and improving efficiency over previous methods. When choosing the transmission configuration of the transducer array, they achieved superior results through wide-beam compounding transmission. They also selected from nine popular models for machine-learning-based image segmentation, landing on FCN-32, which achieved the highest possible accuracy.
In the current iteration, the patch is connected through cables to a computer, which can download the data automatically while the patch is still on. The team has developed a wireless circuit for the patch, which will be covered in a forthcoming publication.
Next steps
Xu plans to commercialize this technology through Softsonics, a company spun off from UC San Diego that he cofounded with engineer Shu Xiang. He also encourages others in his scientific community to follow his lead and work on areas of this research that warrant further exploration.
To follow up on these results, Xu recommends four immediate next steps:
- B-mode imaging, which allows more diagnostic capabilities involving different organs
- The design of the soft imager, which allows researchers to fabricate large transducer probes that cover multiple positions simultaneously
- Miniaturization of the back-end system that powers the soft imager
- Working toward a general machine learning model that fits more subjects
This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (1R21EB025521-01, 1R21EB027303-01A1, 3R21EB027303-02S1, and 1R01EB033464-01).
Financial disclosures: Shu Xiang and Sheng Xu are cofounders of Softsonics, the company that is commercializing this technology.
Paper: “A wearable cardiac ultrasound imager”
Coauthors include Hongjie Hu* and Hao Huang*, Department of Nanoengineering, UC San Diego; Mohan Li*, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, UC San Diego; Xiaoxiang Gao* and Lu Yin, Department of Nanoengineering, UC San Diego; Ruixiang Qi, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, UC San Diego; Ray S. Wu, Department of Nanoengineering, UC San Diego; Xiangjun Chen, Materials Science and Engineering Program, UC San Diego; Yuxiang Ma, Department of Nanoengineering, UC San Diego and Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Keren Shi, Materials Science and Engineering Program, UC San Diego and Materials Science and Engineering Program, UC Riverside; Chenghai Li, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, UC San Diego; Timothy M. Maus, Department of Anesthesiology, UC San Diego Health-Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center; Brady Huang, Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, UC San Diego; Chengchangfeng Lu, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, UC San Diego; Muyang Lin, Department of Nanoengineering, UC San Diego; Sai Zhou, Materials Science and Engineering Program, UC San Diego; Zhiyuan Lou, Department of Nanoengineering, UC San Diego; Yue Gu, Materials Science and Engineering Program, UC San Diego and Department of Neurosurgery, Yale University; Yimu Chen, Department of Nanoengineering, UC San Diego; Yusheng Lei, Department of Nanoengineering, UC San Diego and Department of Chemical Engineering, Stanford University; Xinyu Wang, Ruotao Wang and Wentong Yue, Department of Nanoengineering, UC San Diego; Xinyi Yang, Materials Science and Engineering Program, UC San Diego; Yizhou Bian, Department of Nanoengineering, UC San Diego; Jing Mu, Materials Science and Engineering Program, UC San Diego; Geonho Park, Department of Nanoengineering, UC San Diego; Shu Xiang, Softsonics, Inc.; Shengqiang Cai, Materials Science and Engineering Program and Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, UC San Diego; Paul W. Corey, Department of Anesthesiology, Sharp Memorial Hospital; Joseph Wang, Department of Nanoengineering and Materials Science and Engineering Program, UC San Diego, and Sheng Xu, Department of Nanoengineering, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering Program and Department of Bioengineering, UC San Diego; Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, UC San Diego; and Softsonics, Inc.
Source: Emerson Dameron University of California San Diego
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Entertainment
Peyton Manning and Eli Manning Face Off Live at Super Bowl LIX in FanDuel’s “Kick of Destiny 3” Campaign
FanDuel customers can make a free pick in the FanDuel Sportsbook app on which Manning they think will win a live field goal competition for a chance to win a share of $10 million in Bonus Bets
NEW YORK /PRNewswire/ — FanDuel, North America’s premier online gaming company and an Official Sports Betting Partner of the National Football League, announced that Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, both two-time Super Bowl Champions, will compete head-to-head on Super Bowl Sunday for the first time in their legendary careers as they face off at Super Bowl LIX in the next installment of the Kick of Destiny. In FanDuel’s “Kick of Destiny 3,” the Manning brothers will have to win with their legs instead of their arms in a kicking competition where they will both attempt field goals live in New Orleans on Super Bowl Sunday.
The live kicking competition will take place in the 3pm ET hour of the FOX Super Bowl Pregame Show and begin with each Manning attempting a 25-yard field goal to win the Kick of Destiny 3. If there is no winner after the initial kicks, the Mannings will get additional attempts. If a tiebreaker is needed after three rounds, the kicker who kicked it closest to the center target on the net in the last round will be declared the winner. FanDuel is offering customers the opportunity to make a free pick on which Manning they think will win through the FanDuel Sportsbook app, with eligible customers who pick correctly winning an equal share of $10 million in Bonus Bets.
“With the Kick of Destiny, we set out to make FanDuel a part of Super Bowl Sunday,” said FanDuel Executive Vice President of Marketing, Andrew Sneyd. “For year three, we’re raising the stakes by introducing a rivalry and a head-to-head Kick of Destiny competition. Peyton & Eli Manning will make history by competing against each other live for the first time in Super Bowl history. May the best Manning win!”
The first ad spot from the “Kick of Destiny 3” campaign opens with the unexpected revelation that, deep down, Eli always wanted to be a kicker. Making this dream a reality is why he is doing “Kick of Destiny 3.” Once Peyton finds out about this dream, he wants in and is determined to beat Eli. The integrated campaign will follow both Mannings as they prepare for the competition and culminates with the live, sudden-death field goal competition on Super Bowl Sunday.
“The Kick of Destiny is becoming a great Super Bowl Sunday tradition, and I’m feeling really good about my chances to get the win,” said Eli Manning. “I look forward to celebrating with everyone in America who picks me to beat Peyton.”
“Eli and I have always been competitive, and this is going to be a fun way to challenge each other in a completely different way,” said Peyton Manning. “I’ve been studying film of great kickers and training hard to make sure I bring home the win for everyone in America who picks me to beat Eli.”
In addition to the live kick during the FOX Super Bowl Pregame Show, fans will also be able to experience the Kick of Destiny through two TV spots in the game. These ads will feature recap footage of the Mannings’ kicking contest edited into a celebration that showcases whether fans who picked Team Peyton or Team Eli won the $10 million in Bonus Bets.
Fans can track the Mannings as they prepare for the “Kick of Destiny 3” by following @FanDuel and @FDSportsbook on X, Instagram and TikTok, subscribing on YouTube at YouTube.com/FanDuel and following #KickofDestiny on X for the latest updates. New and existing FanDuel customers can make their free pick on which Manning brother they think will win in the Sportsbook app ahead of the Super Bowl. More information can be found at www.FanDuel.com/kickofdestiny.
About FanDuel Group
FanDuel Group is the premier mobile gaming company in the United States. FanDuel Group consists of a portfolio of leading brands across mobile wagering including, America’s #1 Sportsbook FanDuel Sportsbook, its leading iGaming platform FanDuel Casino, the industry’s unquestioned leader in horse racing and advance-deposit wagering, FanDuel Racing and its daily fantasy sports product. In addition, FanDuel Group operates FanDuel TV, its broadly distributed linear cable television network and FanDuel TV+, its leading direct-to-consumer OTT platform. FanDuel Group has a presence across all 50 states with approximately 17 million customers and 25 retail locations. The company is based in New York with offices in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Jersey City, as well as in Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Portugal, Romania and Australia.
FanDuel Group is a subsidiary of Flutter Entertainment, the world’s largest sports betting and gaming operator with a portfolio of globally recognized brands and traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: FLUT).
SOURCE FanDuel Group
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Premier Family-Friendly Entertainment Destination Completes 2024 With Multiple Franchise Agreements
DALLAS, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Altitude Trampoline Park, the leading family-friendly entertainment franchise, is celebrating a remarkable year of development. In 2024, the franchise continues to grow with more agreements, extending its reach to new and existing markets, including Long Island, South Florida, and the Bay Area, continuing its mission to deliver unforgettable family experiences.
Throughout the year, Altitude Trampoline Park strengthened its presence with multi-unit agreements in Connecticut and South Carolina, paving the way for three new parks in each state. The year also saw multiple park openings in California, Florida, Texas and Georgia, driving the brand’s continued growth.
“Altitude Trampoline Park continues to solidify its position as an attractive franchise opportunity, with 2024 being an impressive year for the brand,” said Chris Kuehn, President of Altitude Trampoline Park. “We’ve signed several multi-unit franchise agreements that will bring our parks to new communities and currently have several locations under construction. This momentum reflects the growing demand for family-friendly entertainment, and we’re eager to continue developing our pipeline in 2025.”
Building on its momentum, the company is expanding both its corporate team and franchise network. Chris Kuehn has been named President and Jessica McDonald has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing. In addition, Sean Naughton recently joined as Chief Financial Officer, strengthening the leadership team. On the franchise side, five existing owners have committed to growing their footprint, and 11 new franchisees have joined the system.
In 2025, Altitude will continue to grow with grand openings coming soon in West Palm Beach, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Cary, North Carolina; Spartanburg, South Carolina; Anaheim, California; and more.
Altitude Trampoline Park is owned by Indoor Active Brands, a platform company that focuses on indoor entertainment concepts. In 2024, Indoor Active Brands launched its latest brand, The Pickle Pad, an indoor pickleball playground featuring a chef-inspired restaurant and bar – Crave Social Eatery, as well as yard and social games for all ages. Established by NRD Capital, Indoor Active Brands utilizes vast FEC and restaurant industry experience to support and assist its franchisees.
The brand is actively seeking qualified candidates to help grow its footprint throughout the U.S. in Kansas City, MO, Minneapolis, MN, Las Vegas, NV, Denver, CO, among others. To learn more about franchise opportunities and upcoming store openings, contact [email protected] or visit www.altitudefranchise.com.
About Altitude Trampoline Park
Altitude Trampoline Park is a premier indoor adventure park offering cutting edge trampolines, games, programs, and celebrations for all ages. Altitude is the home for active family fun! The brand’s successful $10 Endless Jumps Pass, is where members get the max. Guests can, in fact, Jump Happy! with unlimited use of trampolines, soft play, basketball, dodgeball, interactive games and more providing a great way for families to stay together and play together all year long. Nearing 100 locations worldwide, Altitude parks are centrally located and easily accessible, making it the convenient, budget friendly choice for families in 202. 5. More information can be found at altitudetrampolinepark.com.
About Indoor Active Brands
Indoor Active Brands is a platform company focused on owning and operating franchising concepts in the indoor family entertainment and restaurant industry. Created by NRD Capital, Indoor Active Brands currently consists of Altitude Trampoline Park, The Pickle Pad, and Crave Social Eatery. Indoor Active Brands leverages years of experience in the family entertainment and restaurant industries to provide unmatched support for its franchisees. For more information about Indoor Active Brands visit www.indooractivebrands.com.
SOURCE Altitude Trampoline Park
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Senior Pickleball Report
Backhand to Business: Dive into the Latest Episode of People of Pickleball with Mike Sleeve’s Sliwa and Josh Miller!
In the latest “People of Pickleball” episode, Josh Miller shares insights on HVY Sleeves, enhancing pickleball performance with training tips, motivational speaking, and innovative gear for athletes.
Hello pickleball aficionados! If you’re ready to elevate your game both on and off the court, then you won’t want to miss the latest episode of People of Pickleball, where our charismatic host, Mike Sleeve’s Sliwa, sits down with the remarkable Josh Miller, a true powerhouse in the world of sports.
Meet Josh Miller: From NFL Stardom to Innovations in Pickleball
For those unfamiliar, Josh Miller is not just your average athlete. A Super Bowl Champion and Grey Cup Champion, he carved his name in the annals of football history and is now revolutionizing the pickleball scene as a Partner and Founder of HVY Sleeves. With extensive experience in coaching, sales, event management, and media relations, he blends insight and inspiration seamlessly. Plus, as a motivational speaker, Josh’s energy will leave you pumped up and ready to hit the court!
Episode Highlights: Innovation at Its Finest
In this riveting conversation, Mike and Josh dive deep into the exciting journey behind HVY Sleeves, a groundbreaking training tool that’s changing the game for pickleball players everywhere.
Key Takeaways:
- Training with Purpose: Josh discusses how HVY Sleeves were developed to give players an added edge; perfect for enhancing arm strength and hand quickness, crucial for those lightning-fast kitchen volleys!
- Agility and Performance: The episode explores the versatility of HVY Sleeves, emphasizing how incorporating leg sleeves into your training routine can build the agility necessary to outmaneuver your opponents, allowing for quicker reflexes and better court coverage.
- A New Standard for Workouts: But wait, there’s more! Josh shares how these sleeves can transition seamlessly into your gym workouts, adding extra resistance for enhanced endurance training without sacrificing mobility. Because let’s face it, who wouldn’t want a versatile piece of gear that elevates your entire fitness routine?
- Mindset Matters: With Josh as a keynote and motivational speaker, expect to hear some uplifting messages that inspire not just athletes, but anyone looking to push past their limits and achieve their goals.
Why You Should Tune In
This episode comes packed with actionable insights and motivational anecdotes that cater to players at all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned player trying to up your game or a newcomer eager to learn, you’ll find valuable nuggets of wisdom in this engaging dialogue. Mike and Josh aim to equip you with the tools and mindset needed to succeed both on the pickleball court and in your everyday life.
So, whether you’re gearing up for a competitive match or simply hitting the courts for some casual play, this episode of People of Pickleball is your go-to resource for making those game-changing improvements.
Don’t miss out on this episode featuring the remarkable Josh Miller. Tune in, lace up your HVY Sleeves, and prepare to take your pickleball skills to the NEXT LEVEL!
Happy playing, and remember: practice how you play! 🎾💪
#Pickleball #HVYSleeves #JoshMiller #PickleballTraining #PeopleOfPickleball #Fitness #Sports
HVY Sleeves http://hvysleeves.com
IG:@hvysleeves_
Get the latest updates and information on the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, specifically designed for the senior community aged 50+. Check out Sleeve’s Senior Pickleball Report on YouTube to stay informed and up-to-date with the ever-changing world of pickleball. Join the community and stay ahead of the game. https://sleeves-spr.com/
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Don’t miss out on elevating your game with top-notch pickleball essentials at amazing prices! https://stm-store.online/spr-episode-links/
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