About This Project

Current methods of imaging the heart from inside the body are expensive, cumbersome, labor intensive, and uncomfortable for the patient. We've designed an echocardiography probe that is small enough to be swallowed, requires no sedation to be placed, and that can be controlled remotely. This means we can take high quality pictures of the heart more quickly, less expensively, and in environments that are not too fancy.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Thousands of patients per year need a test called TEE to image the heart from inside the esophagus (I know, it seems weird, but we can create beautiful pictures of the heart from a probe placed in the esophagus, which is thin and right behind the heart). Unfortunately, this procedure is often miserable for the patient. It requires intensive monitoring, specially trained nurses, and a boatload of sedation. The procedure costs anywhere between $1,000-$10,000 bucks. Despite huge advances in technology, the probe used to obtain these images has not changed in decades. If the probe was smaller, and smarter, we could do this test in a less expensive, less monitored, and less awful way for the patient. The prototype has been designed. We are ready to start testing once the prototype is available.

What is the significance of this project?

This project is essential to improving the process of TEE and the availability of TEE. Once this technology is available we will be able to drive down the time, costs, and risks associated with having this important medical test.There is a clear need and market for this technology. We can replace cumbersome technology with an improved solution that reduces the cost and burden of invasive testing. The benefits for patients are obvious. No more coughing, gagging, side effects or high bills for a test that can be done in a less expensive way. Probe innovation will not occur by the major imaging companies. Why would they design something new when they have huge margins on their existing technology? The market needs a new entrant to innovate a better solution.

What are the goals of the project?

Our immediate goal is to build the prototype we have designed using simulation software. The specifications are clear. The market is clear. We are ready to send our design off for assembly as soon as we have raised the funds for the prototype and testing equipment. Once we have the prototype we will begin testing in people. Not mice. Once we have validated this technology in people we can consider if there are opportunities to create new probes for the veterinary space as well.