We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
GLOBETECH PUBLISHING LLC

Download Mobile App




Ultrasound Device Non-Invasively Improves Blood Circulation in Lower Limbs

By MedImaging International staff writers
Posted on 09 Nov 2024
Print article
Image: A prototype of the developed device (Photo courtesy of KTU)
Image: A prototype of the developed device (Photo courtesy of KTU)

Impaired blood circulation in the lower limbs is a common health issue among the elderly and is a significant complication of diabetes, often referred to as diabetic foot. This condition arises due to impaired tissue circulation and progressive neuropathy, causing foot tissues to become insensitive and unable to respond appropriately to trauma. As a result, patients may experience progressive ulceration, wound infection, tissue necrosis, and ultimately, amputation. With limited options for pharmacological treatment, alternative and particularly non-invasive therapies, such as ultrasound energy, are gaining importance. Researchers have now created an ultrasonic foot stimulation device that can non-invasively enhance blood circulation in the lower limbs.

This innovative device was developed through collaboration between scientists from the Kaunas University of Technology (KTU, Kaunas, Lithuania) and the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU, Kaunas, Lithuania). Ultrasound has recently found widespread application across various medical fields as a therapeutic method. It can affect diverse body tissues and structures, including bones, skin, muscles, and biological fluids like blood. The application of ultrasound can alleviate pain, reduce spasms and inflammation, and stimulate blood flow. Additionally, it can activate central blood flow in the body's main blood vessels, closer to the heart and lungs, through the retrograde neurogenic pathway, broadening its therapeutic potential.

The developed device employs specific piezoelectric elements to produce a broad spectrum of acoustic ultrasound waves in response to an electrical signal. By selecting the appropriate parameters, the ultrasound is transmitted to the foot tissues, stimulating blood flow throughout the leg. The vibrations caused by electric current passing through the elements generate acoustic waves that penetrate the skin and reach deeper tissues, creating vibrations that enhance the tone of blood vessel walls. This process improves blood flow in superficial tissues and modulates the activity of blood-forming components, including erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes. Consequently, it regulates thrombogenesis, immune response, and inflammatory processes, all vital for maintaining normal vascular and tissue function. Furthermore, ultrasound waves can influence nerve structures since all blood vessels are innervated, thus activating vascular tone across a broad tissue area.

It is important to note that the therapeutic effects of ultrasound depend on physical parameters such as wave frequency, power, and intensity. The newly developed device utilizes low-frequency ultrasound, operating in a non-contact and non-thermal manner to minimize potential adverse effects. The researchers believe that, upon creating a commercial prototype, this device could significantly transform medical practice in rehabilitation hospitals, preventive medicine clinics, and nursing facilities. Its portability, safety, and capability to address a wide range of lower extremity circulatory disorders position it as a promising tool for the future. The device can also be customized for individual use through appropriate software modifications, making it beneficial for patients with diabetes and other peripheral circulatory disorders, as well as for older adults experiencing chronic vascular dysfunction. Additionally, with the right parameters, ultrasound may facilitate the targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs, reducing overall toxic effects on the body.

New
Gold Member
X-Ray QA Meter
T3 AD Pro
New
Portable Color Doppler Ultrasound System
S5000
New
Mobile Barrier
Tilted Mobile Leaded Barrier
Silver Member
Radiographic Positioning Equipment
2-Step Multiview Positioning Platform

Print article

Channels

MRI

view channel
Image: Late gadolinium enhancement distinguishes which hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients will benefit from urgent interventions (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Enhanced Cardiovascular MRI Predicts Heart Risk in Children with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most prevalent genetic cardiovascular disorder and a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in young people, with a yearly mortality rate of 1%. However, 10% to... Read more

Nuclear Medicine

view channel
Image: Example of AI analysis of PET/CT images (Photo courtesy of Academic Radiology; DOI: 10.1016/j.acra.2024.08.043)

AI Analysis of PET/CT Images Predicts Side Effects of Immunotherapy in Lung Cancer

Immunotherapy has significantly advanced the treatment of primary lung cancer, but it can sometimes lead to a severe side effect known as interstitial lung disease. This condition is characterized by lung... Read more

General/Advanced Imaging

view channel
Image: AI-enabled analysis of images meant to catch one disease can reveal others (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

AI Tool Offers Opportunistic Screening for Heart Disease Using Repurposed CT Scans

In the field of medical imaging, the term "opportunistic screening" refers to the repurposing of existing medical images by radiologists to diagnose illnesses beyond what the scan was originally meant to find.... Read more

Imaging IT

view channel
Image: The new Medical Imaging Suite makes healthcare imaging data more accessible, interoperable and useful (Photo courtesy of Google Cloud)

New Google Cloud Medical Imaging Suite Makes Imaging Healthcare Data More Accessible

Medical imaging is a critical tool used to diagnose patients, and there are billions of medical images scanned globally each year. Imaging data accounts for about 90% of all healthcare data1 and, until... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.