CT scans, such as these, are more routinely used to diagnose stroke. But because ultrasound scanners can be made portable, it has advantages for doctors operating outside hospitals. (Credit: Alamy)
University of Aberdeen researchers have developed an experimental system for diagnosing brain injuries.
The scientists have created a portable ultrasound scanner that can help medics quickly create a 3D model of a patient’s brain. A specialized software can be uploaded to current ultrasound machines where it can help medics with minimal ultrasound training produce a highly-detailed scan of the brain.
A movement sensor hooked into an ultrasound probe scans the brain for specific areas where the skull is the thinnest producing up to 40 images per second, according to the University’s official announcement.
The resulting 3D image is comprised of 2,000 individual photos that technicians can send to specialists over the internet where they can quickly form a diagnosis.
Soldiers and civilians living in remote areas could benefit the most from this invention.
Paramedics could also use this tool to identify minor head injuries in soldiers that could lead to bigger problems in the future or EMTs could adopt this technology to quickly diagnose brain injuries or strokes for individuals living in rural communities, wrote The Guardian.
“UK Armed Forces operate in many remote locations and where personnel are injured we need to ensure that all conditions can be rapidly and correctly diagnosed to provide the best possible treatment and care,” said Neal Smith from the Ministry of Defense’s Science and Technology Laboratory, in a statement.
“Devices which are lightweight, easy to deploy and easy to use, such as the portable ultrasound scanning support system being developed by the University of Aberdeen, have the potential to enhance our capabilities on operations and enhance patient care,” he added.
The technology is still in its early stages of development, but has shown positive results after being tested on healthy volunteers and brain hemorrhage patients at a hospital in the U.K.
