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
pickleball and sports exclusive
Delaware Life and DUPR: Fueling the Growth of Pickleball
Delaware Life and DUPR team up to fuel growth of pickleball, providing accurate ratings and increasing grassroots engagement.
Pickleball is taking the world by storm, becoming one of the fastest-growing participatory sports enjoyed by people of all ages. In an exciting development for the sport, Delaware Life Insurance Company (“Delaware Life”) and DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) have joined forces in a long-term partnership to drive growth and innovation in pickleball. With Delaware Life as the exclusive presenting sponsor of DUPR, this collaboration aims to increase play opportunities and engage more players at the grassroots level. Let’s explore how this partnership will unfold and what it means for the pickleball community.
Unleashing the Power of Data and Technology:
DUPR, the leading data and technology platform in pickleball, boasts a proprietary global rating system. This system assesses player performance based on match results, providing a real-time, reliable, and accurate assessment of skill levels. By partnering with DUPR, Delaware Life is leveraging the power of data and technology to enhance the pickleball experience for players across the board. From amateurs to professionals, DUPR’s global rating system offers a unifying language that transcends age, gender, and location.
A Shared Mission for Growth and Empowerment:
Delaware Life’s President and CEO, Colin Lake, highlights the strong alignment between the brand and pickleball. The sport’s increasing popularity among diverse age groups resonates well with Delaware Life’s client base. The partnership with DUPR not only supports the growth of the game but also presents new opportunities to engage clients and business partners. Both Delaware Life and DUPR share a passion for delivering outstanding tools and services that empower their respective communities with information, insights, and opportunities for growth.
Collaborative Engagement for Pickleball Enthusiasts:
Besides being the presenting sponsor of DUPR, Delaware Life and DUPR will collaborate on level-based pickleball events and opportunities. Utilizing DUPR’s extensive network of clubs and organizations, such as Life Time, Ace Pickleball Clubs, and Dill Dinkers, the partnership aims to enhance customer, employee, and partner engagement experiences. These collaborations will provide new avenues for enthusiasts to engage with the sport, further contributing to the growth of pickleball.
DUPR’s Rapid Rise and Global Presence:
Since its founding as the analytics arm of Major League Pickleball in 2021, DUPR has emerged as the best-in-class global pickleball rating system. It is now independently operating and widely used by amateurs, collegiate, and professional players for accurate skill level assessments. DUPR’s user base has grown exponentially, with a presence in over 140 countries, including China, India, Germany, and the UK. This remarkable growth showcases the global appeal of pickleball and the demand for a reliable rating system that unifies the pickleball community.
Supporting the Mission with Partners and Supporters:
To further bolster its mission and strengthen its presence, DUPR has welcomed influential board members and investors such as David Kass and tennis legend Andre Agassi. In addition, DUPR has formed partnerships with companies like The Picklr, JOOLA, Rally Republic, and many others. These collaborations highlight the collective commitment to elevating the sport and promoting its growth on a global scale.
The partnership between Delaware Life and DUPR represents an exciting development for the pickleball community. By combining resources, data, and expertise, they are fueling the growth of pickleball and introducing new opportunities for grassroots engagement. As pickleball continues to captivate players worldwide, this collaboration sets the stage for even greater innovation, inclusivity, and accessibility within the sport. With Delaware Life’s support as the presenting sponsor of DUPR, we can anticipate a bright future for pickleball enthusiasts everywhere.
To learn more about the partnership between Delaware Life and DUPR, please visit https://dupr.delawarelife.com.
About DUPR
DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) presented by Delaware Life, is the premier global pickleball rating system and technology platform, trusted by the world’s leading clubs, tournaments, leagues, and players. DUPR’s dynamic rating system unifies pickleball across age, gender, and location by analyzing match results to accurately evaluate all players across a 2.000 – 8.000 scale. Players and operators can visit www.dupr.com to sign up and learn more.
About Delaware Life Insurance Company
Delaware Life is an insurance and annuity company that empowers financial professionals with a wide array of customizable solutions. A subsidiary of Group 1001, we were born out of the advisor industry, and we understand how important it is to find the right fit for every client, every situation, and every individual need. We’re passionate about equipping you with annuities that give your customers peace of mind and a successful future—allowing them to plan with confidence for whatever’s next.
About Group 1001
Group 1001 is a collective that empowers companies to create positive growth. Our insurance and annuities are easy to understand and accessible to all. Our online investing platform gives individuals control over their savings. Our technology and innovation help companies succeed. And our strategic partnerships bring people together through education and sports.
As of December 31, 2023, Group 1001 had more than 1,200 employees and combined assets under management of $62.6 billion, serving more than 950,000 customers. It comprises the following brands: Delaware Life, Gainbridge®, Clear Spring Health, Clear Spring Property and Casualty Group, Clear Spring Life and Annuity Company, and RVI Group, among others.
ATLANTA /PRNewswire/ — Pickleball Kingdom, the premier brand in indoor pickleball, is thrilled to announce its expansion into Atlanta, Georgia. Led by passionate sports enthusiasts Nithi and Usha Anand, this move aims to bring the joy of pickleball to the vibrant community of Atlanta, catering to individuals of all ages and skill levels.
“We’re thrilled to bring Pickleball Kingdom to Atlanta with our indoor franchise locations,” stated Ace Rodrigues, Founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom. “Atlanta has a vibrant community, and we know the Anand family are the perfect ambassador for the sport.”
Pickleball Kingdom, known for its commitment to providing top-notch indoor facilities for pickleball players, is excited to introduce its renowned brand to Atlanta. With a focus on holistic health and the belief that movement is medicine, Nithi and Usha Anand are dedicated to creating a pickleball community where leading a healthy lifestyle is not only encouraged but also enjoyable for everyone.
“We are delighted to bring Pickleball Kingdom to Atlanta and contribute to the development of a thriving pickleball community in this area,” said Nithi and Usha Anand, franchise leaders of Pickleball Kingdom in Atlanta. “Our vision is to provide a welcoming space where individuals can engage in this exciting sport, improve their fitness, and connect with others who share a passion for pickleball.”
Pickleball, a paddle sport blending elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. Recognizing the growing demand for accessible indoor facilities, Pickleball Kingdom is committed to offering state-of-the-art courts equipped with technology to enhance the playing experience for enthusiasts in Atlanta.
Calling Franchisees
The expansion into Atlanta will offer individuals the opportunity to experience the excitement of pickleball in a welcoming and supportive atmosphere. Pickleball Kingdom invites aspiring entrepreneurs who share their passion for promoting active lifestyles to join them in this exciting venture as franchise partners.
“Similar to the rest of the country, the high demand for indoor pickleball in Atlanta metro is evident,” emphasized Rob Streett, COO of Pickleball Kingdom. “We are on the lookout for more ambitious partners who recognize the vast opportunities in the indoor pickleball industry. If you’re interested in seizing this opportunity, let’s connect.”
www.pickleballkingdom.com/franchise
About Pickleball Kingdom:
Pickleball Kingdom is the largest indoor pickleball entity in the world. They are dedicated to providing exceptional facilities and fostering vibrant pickleball communities across the country. With a focus on promoting active lifestyles and building strong connections within communities, Pickleball Kingdom is committed to making pickleball accessible to players of all ages and skill levels.
SOURCE Pickleball Kingdom Franchising
pickleball and sports exclusive
USTA MID-ATLANTIC FOUNDATION APPLAUDS APPROVAL OF ZONING APPLICATION FOR VILLAGE AT CLEAR SPRINGS
Decision and $2.5 million grant award are critical next steps for USTA Mid-Atlantic Tennis Campus
LEESBURG, Va. /PRNewswire/ — The USTA Mid-Atlantic Tennis Campus – a planned best-in-class hub for health, wellness and community-building through sport – is now a critical step closer with the decision by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors to approve the zoning application for the Village at Clear Springs. A key amenity within the Village at Clear Springs, the USTA Mid-Atlantic Tennis Campus will offer a transformative upgrade of indoor and outdoor courts and resources that will make it a year-round regional hub for economic growth and engaging environments that positively enhance lives.
In addition to the approval, the USTA has pledged $2.5 million in grant funding to the USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation to invest in this critical, community-based infrastructure and support the mission to grow tennis.
“USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation celebrates the approval of the zoning application for the Village at Clear Springs,” said Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro, Chief Executive Officer, USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation. “This important decision along with an unprecedented funding commitment are crucial steps forward that allow us to succeed in our ambitious vision to increase access to tennis for all people providing physical, social and emotional health benefits for today’s youth and adults of all ages.”
The USTA Mid-Atlantic Tennis Campus is planned to be open to the public and will feature 21 outdoor tennis courts, including a stadium center court, 10 indoor tennis courts, 8 outdoor pickleball courts and 12 indoor pickleball courts which will also be used for youth tennis, cardio tennis and beginner tennis instruction for adults. The tennis campus will feature space for fitness, wellness programs, community gatherings and large-scale competitions and events. It will serve as an accessible hub for health, education and fun, while being an important economic engine estimated to generate $8.5 million annually in economic impact.
“One of the most important aspects of the tennis campus is the ability to extend into the community and activate the higher benefits of sport among those who may be under-resourced,” said Beth Twomey, Chief Operating Officer, USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation. “Especially fundamental to the vision for the campus are community outreach and education programs that will help under-resourced youth and support schools through tennis, education and physical activity. We have built strong relationships in the county and are already taking action, now we can build on this momentum to create long-term and sustainable approaches through tennis and sport that create community, character, and well-being for all.”
The USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation has invested $10 million in the project and is actively seeking lead corporate sponsors and donors to help achieve the vision and be an instrumental part of the tennis campus. The tennis campus project is anticipated to cost $42 million and the groundbreaking is planned for 2025.
For more information about the tennis campus, including ways to get involved visit https://ustamidatlantictenniscampus.com/.
View the tennis campus renderings here.
About USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation:
USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to promoting tennis and its physical, social, and emotional health benefits. Our mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis. Our vision is tennis in EVERY community. For 100 years USTA Mid-Atlantic has been the leader for tennis in the region. We operate leagues, tournaments, and other outreach programs and events throughout the region for more than 30,000 adult and youth members in Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and eastern and southern West Virginia. We support the community providers, facilities, and coaches that directly deliver the sport.
Follow us on social media at:
https://www.facebook.com/ustamidatlantic/
https://www.instagram.com/ustamidatlantic/
SOURCE USTA Mid-Atlantic Foundation
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