F.Y. Yamaner A.O. Biliroglu, J. Currens, V. Papadopoulou, R. Moon, O. Oralkan
Clearsens Inc.,
United States
Keywords: wearable ultrasound, real-time tissue imaging, physiology monitoring, decompression sickness, diver physiology, space medicine
Summary:
Human health and performance under pressure have challenged scientists for more than a century. Decompression sickness (DCS) remains a critical physiological risk for modern divers and astronauts. Despite decades of research, decompression management today still relies on probabilistic models built from population data rather than individual physiology. The inability to visualize how each body responds to pressure in real time limits proactive management in both clinical and operational settings. Clearsens Inc. is developing a wearable ultrasound imaging platform that directly addresses this gap by providing continuous, personalized physiological monitoring. Built on patented Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer (CMUT) technology licensed from NC State University, the system integrates high-efficiency transducer arrays, low-power electronics, and flexible packaging to enable real-time tissue imaging in a compact, body-worn form factor. This semiconductor-based approach miniaturizes ultrasound to a chip-scale device, offering medical-grade sensing capabilities in environments where conventional imaging systems are impractical. The platform’s primary objective is to enable individualized decompression management. During diving operations, the device can detect early signs of inert-gas microbubble formation and tissue perfusion changes, allowing dynamic adjustment of decompression schedules before symptoms appear. In spaceflight, astronauts experience analogous decompression stress when transitioning between pressurized spacecraft and low-pressure extravehicular suits. Continuous ultrasound monitoring could complement or reduce oxygen pre-breathe protocols, thus improving mission safety, conserving resources. Beyond decompression, the same sensing framework supports broader biomedical applications in muscle and cardiovascular health. Ultrasound metrics such as tissue stiffness, perfusion, and echo intensity correlate with fatigue, hydration, and vascular adaptation. These sensing capabilities translate directly to rehabilitation, sports medicine, and remote health monitoring, where non-invasive, radiation-free imaging allows longitudinal assessment of tissue and circulatory health. Clearsens’ recent work under ONR STTR Phase II and NASA SBIR Phase I programs has demonstrated functional CMUT arrays with wideband performance, low power operation, and early wearable prototypes capable of imaging through tissue-mimicking media. Ongoing efforts focus on packaging for aquatic and pressurized environments, AI-enhanced image reconstruction, and physiological validation in human subjects. This presentation will highlight the biomedical design principles, prototype results, and translational pathways of this technology as it advances toward clinical validation and dual-use deployment in defense, aerospace, and human health applications.