A future scenario where people use a disposable ultrasound patch every day to monitor their health by conducting early diagnosis of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (real-time blood pressure monitoring) during their morning commute, and then throw it away in the trash bin afterward. (Image provided by KIST)
SEOUL, Sept. 4 (Korea Bizwire) — In a breakthrough that could reshape medical imaging and telehealth, Korean scientists have developed the world’s first disposable ultrasound patch made entirely of silicon, eliminating the toxic lead traditionally used in piezoelectric devices.
The team, led by Lee Byung-chul of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), worked with researchers at KAIST, Seoul National University Hospital, and Stanford University to produce a wafer-thin ultrasound transducer that outperforms conventional lead-based devices in both safety and performance. Their findings were published in Nature Communications.
Wearable ultrasound patches are increasingly used in diagnostics, rehabilitation monitoring, and remote medicine. Yet most commercial devices rely on lead-based ceramics, raising health and environmental concerns.
The new patch replaces them with a nanostructured silicon design fabricated through semiconductor processes. The device, only a few hundred micrometers thick, eliminates the need for matching and absorbing layers while delivering stable performance.
Tests showed the silicon patch produced more than 30 percent higher acoustic output than commercial alternatives, yielding sharper images and reliable readings even on moving body parts such as the neck. Clinical trials comparing the device to standard blood pressure monitors demonstrated an accuracy rate exceeding 96 percent.
Researchers emphasized its scalability and cost advantages: silicon processing allows for mass production, while the unit price is projected to be one-twentieth that of existing lead-based devices.
Its eco-friendly profile makes it suitable for single-use applications, potentially opening new markets in telemedicine and personalized healthcare.
“This research proves that harmful lead can be replaced with safe silicon to create ultrasound patches anyone can use with confidence,” Dr. Lee said. Seoul National University’s Lee Hwal added that the flexibility of silicon could “dramatically broaden the medical applications of ultrasound imaging.”
The innovation positions Korea at the forefront of environmentally sustainable medical-device technology, bridging semiconductor engineering with healthcare’s growing demand for safe, cost-effective, and disposable tools.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
