Ultrasound is an important tool for obstetric and trauma care in resource-limited settings, playing a major role in diagnosis and management.
However, ultrasound use by local providers remains limited due to the cost of ultrasound gel and its lack of availability in local markets.
1. Because supply chains fail!
The Problem
Ultrasound is an important tool for obstetric and trauma care in resource-limited settings, playing a major role in diagnosis and management.
However, ultrasound use by local providers remains limited due to the cost of ultrasound gel and its lack of availability in local markets.
Alternatives to ultrasound gel materials have been found, but only offer a temporary relief to hospitals on limited budgets. While the cost of
local manufacture is negligible, the process is still labor-intensive, and separation of contents renders the product useless by 3 days.
Any savings on consumable products would have a significant impact on public health.
The Solution
To eliminate the need for consumable ultrasound gel, we designed an inexpensive, reusable transducing pad that glides on wet skin and
has antimicrobial properties that fits with an elastic collar holding it tightly to the transducer probe.
Methodology
Ultrasound utilizes high frequencies (~5mHz), which requires an acoustic wave conduction medium with an airtight interface between the
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