Wearable cardiac ultrasound imager

Astronauts performing extravehicular activities (EVAs) face a heightened risk of decompression sickness (DCS) due to the formation of venous gas emboli (VGE) during pressure transitions. Current monitoring methods rely on transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiography, which are impractical in space environments due to their invasiveness, bulkiness, and operator dependence. To address this limitation, we propose the development of a non-invasive, wearable ultrasound patch capable of real-time, continuous cardiac imaging and automated VGE detection within an EVA suit. The proposed skin-conformal ultrasound device integrates a stretchable piezoelectric transducer array with a wireless electronic control circuit, allowing real-time data transmission to a portable device (e.g., a smartphone). The system employs deep learning-based image analysis to detect and quantify VGE, providing an automated Eftedal-Brubakk score to assess DCS risk. The low-profile, flexible design ensures minimal interference with astronaut mobility while maintaining high-resolution imaging comparable to conventional ultrasound systems. Phase I will focus on: 1. Developing a high-resolution stretchable ultrasound transducer array optimized for cardiac imaging within the constraints of an EVA suit. 2. Implementing beamforming algorithms for enhanced penetration depth and field of view to acquire an apical four-chamber (A4C) view. 3. Designing a deep-learning model for real-time VGE detection, quantification, and automated risk scoring. 4. Validating system safety using standard ultrasound evaluation metrics. This technology has significant implications beyond space applications, including terrestrial aerospace, deep-sea diving, and clinical embolism monitoring. It represents a transformative advancement for diagnostics in extreme environments, ensuring astronaut safety during space exploration.