The Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) has launched the Wearable Imaging for Transforming Elderly Care (WITEC) project, aiming to develop the world’s first wearable ultrasound imaging system. This innovative system will allow continuous, real-time monitoring and personalised diagnosis of chronic conditions such as hypertension and heart failure. The initiative, supported by the National Research Foundation Singapore, involves collaboration with top researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Nanyang Technological University, and the National University of Singapore, with Tan Tock Seng Hospital as the clinical collaborator.
WITEC’s laboratory is equipped with cutting-edge tools, including Southeast Asia’s first Nanoscribe Quantum X sub-micrometre 3D printer and the Verasonics Vantage NXT 256 ultrasonic imaging system, the first of its kind in Singapore. These technologies enable the creation of bioadhesive materials and device interfaces with unprecedented precision, essential for ensuring skin-safe adhesion and stable imaging quality.
The project addresses the growing need for effective home-based care as chronic diseases rise globally, particularly amongst ageing populations. Current consumer wearables lack the depth needed for chronic disease management, whilst traditional ultrasound systems are bulky and limited to hospital use. WITEC’s wearable system, enhanced with AI diagnostics, aims to bridge this gap, supporting early detection and continuous monitoring.
Clinical trials, led by Tan Tock Seng Hospital, are expected to begin in early 2026. This innovation not only promises to improve patient outcomes but also aims to reduce healthcare costs and alleviate pressures on healthcare systems by shifting monitoring to homes and communities.
