Imagine a future where the bulky ultrasound imaging systems we associate with hospital settings are no longer the only option. Think about the freedom of having continuous, real-time monitoring of chronic conditions like heart failure and hypertension from the comfort of your home or on the move. This could transform health care by providing medical practitioners with continuous clinical insights, thereby enabling early detection, timely interventions, and truly personalized care.
The visionaries who are turning this dream into reality are the pioneers at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore. They’ve set in motion an exciting initiative known as Wearable Imaging for Transforming Elderly Care (WITEC). But what exactly is WITEC?
WITEC is a trailblazing research project set to design the world’s first wearable ultrasound imaging system for 48-hour intermittent cardiovascular imaging. It aims to bring real-time monitoring and diagnosis right into patients’ homes, changing the landscape of managing chronic health conditions.
This bold project, backed by a multi-year, multi-million-dollar investment by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Singapore, is an extraordinary union of institutional genius from MIT, Nanyang Technological University (NTU Singapore), the National University of Singapore (NUS), and Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) – the latter being the focal point for clinical trials for long-duration cardiovascular examination.
To turn this innovative concept into reality, WITEC’s laboratory is outfitted with advanced equipment, including Southeast Asia’s first sub-micrometer 3D printer and the uniquely powerful Verasonics Vantage NXT 256 ultrasonic imaging system – the first in Singapore. These state-of-the-art tools will enable the creation of an ultra-precise bioadhesive material and skin-safe device interfaces, a critical provision for reliable, quality imaging over lengthy periods. The Verasonics imaging system further extends the technology’s reach by providing a platform for customized imaging methods, AI-based diagnostics, and high-resolution, real-time cardiovascular imaging; capabilities that far exceed those of conventional hospital equipment.
Chronic diseases, particularly among aging populations, have seen a global surge. Though common wearables like smartwatches offer basic health tracking, they lack the depth required for chronic conditions management. Meanwhile, traditional ultrasound systems, while effective, are cumbersome, dependent on operators, and restricted to hospital use. WITEC’s wearable ultrasound system addresses these shortfalls by providing up to 48 hours of continuous imaging using bioadhesive technology, which when combined with AI-enhanced diagnosis, sets the stage for early detection, remote monitoring, and home-based pre-diagnosis – fundamentally shifting how chronic diseases are handled.
At the helm of WITEC, an interdisciplinary team of co-lead principal investigators: Xuanhe Zhao (MIT), Joseph Sung (NTU Singapore), Cher Heng Tan (NTU Singapore), Chwee Teck Lim (NUS), and Xiaodong Chen (NTU Singapore) are directing their combined knowledge in materials science, AI diagnostics, biomedical engineering, and clinical medicine towards this groundbreaking technology.
Alongside its immediate health care applications, WITEC’s foundational work could have cross-sectoral impact, potentially spurring innovation in biomedical manufacturing, diagnostics, and health analytics. With the potential for creating high-value jobs and attracting strategic investments, this project stands as a profound testament to what is possible when brilliant minds join forces.
As clinical trials commence this year, led by Violet Hoon from TTSH, WITEC aims to develop a fully integrated platform over the next three years through cutting-edge nanotechnology and advanced ultrasonic transducers. With SMART’s broader mission being to tackle global challenges through leading-edge research, WITEC is set to be a transformative step in elderly care and the management of chronic diseases – impacting lives not just in Singapore, but globally.
For more, read the original article on MIT News: https://news.mit.edu/2026/smart-launches-wearable-imaging-transforming-elderly-care-research-group-0203
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