The accessibility of medical devices is a common problem. Key challenges include high costs, which can make advanced medical devices unaffordable for low-income populations and healthcare facilities in remote areas. Distribution is another struggle as delivering medical devices to these regions can be difficult due to poor transportation infrastructure. Additionally, many medical devices require a stable power supply, which can be unreliable or unavailable in remote locations.
This problem was identified in 2011 by Jonathan M. Rothberg, an engineer and entrepreneur who was previously best known as a pioneer in high-speed, massively parallel (Next-Gen) DNA sequencing. By utilizing such IoT benefits as economies of scale, energy efficient components and communication protocols, as well as effective distribution he was able to deliver medical imaging device that is accessible to people worldwide.
Ultrasound Technology
First let’s take a look at ultrasound technology. It is a medical imaging technique that uses high frequency sound waves to create images of the internal structure of the body, helping to diagnose a variety of medical conditions, including pregnancy, heart disease and cancer. It is also used to guide medical procedures such as biopsies and injections.
Image 1. Next-Generation Butterfly IQ3™ Device
Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer (CMUT) Technology
Key to making medical devices more achievable was development of Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer (CMUT) technology. Ultrasound-on-Chip™, the core component of the device is built upon this technology. Unlike traditional ultrasound devices that use piezoelectric crystals, the CMUT technology integrates the ultrasound transducer onto a single silicon chip. This innovation allows for more efficient signal generation and reception and eliminates the need for separate piezoelectric crystals and complex mechanical components, making the device more compact and cost-effective. Additionally, Ultrasound-on-Chip™ offers increased durability compared to fragile piezoelectric crystals and supports a broader range of frequencies. This allows for imaging at various depths within the human body, providing more versatile diagnostic capabilities.
Communication and Cloud Layers
Knowing all the most important advantages of the CMUT technology, let’s move forward to the communication layer. Data transmission between the device and external systems is provided by utilizing low-power protocols such as LoRa or NB-IoT which are optimized for long-range communication and minimal energy consumption ensuring reliable data transmission even in areas with limited network infrastructure. For short range communication WiFi and Bluetooth modules are also available offering ability to use local connectivity conditions. Additionally, to reduce bandwidth usage and ensure timely responses, all the critical data processing tasks are performed at the edge of the network, close to the data source.
Let’s now take a look at the cloud layer of the architecture. Butterfly Network is leveraging Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure as the central hub for data storage, advanced analytics and management. Data collected from the device is securely transmitted to cloud servers where it is stored and processed using machine learning techniques. AWS allows Butterfly Networks to manage large volumes of data securely and efficiently, ensuring compliance with healthcare data privacy regulations.
Image 2. Butterfly Network Device Architecture
User Interface
The final layer is the user interface, which is based on IoS or Android mobile applications that provide healthcare professionals with real-time access to patient data and imaging results. Main features of this application are support with image interpretation, adjusting device settings and ability to collaborate with other medical experts remotely.
Conclusion
In summary, the integration of IoT technology in medical devices as we saw in the Butterfly Network example, offers an innovative solution to challenges in healthcare accessibility. By utilizing AWS cloud services and advanced components such as Ultrasound-on-Chip™ these devices become more affordable, efficient and deliverable to various locations. This IoT approach significantly enhances the availability of medical care and makes it more inclusive, ensuring that individuals across diverse and remote locations can benefit from advanced diagnostic services.
Want to know more about Butterfly Network? Check out our YT Shorts about their device!
References:
- Butterfly Network Technology and Security White Paper https://manual.butterflynetwork.com/Butterfly-Network-Technology-and-Security-White-Paper-950-20009-00-rev+D-1.pdf
- https://www.butterflynetwork.com/
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