Tag Archives: ultrasound trends

5 Ultrasound Trends to Watch in 2026

Posted on by
Reply

1. Autonomous Ultrasound Robots—with Expert Oversight

Autonomous ultrasound robotics are emerging as a potential solution to workforce shortages and access gaps, particularly in rural or underserved settings. These AI-guided robotic systems can position probes, identify anatomical landmarks, and acquire standardized diagnostic views with minimal on-site expertise. Early research shows promising results for consistent image acquisition in areas like abdominal and vascular imaging. (Phys Med Biol 2023 Feb 6;68(4). doi: 10.1088/1361-6560/acaf46 and arXivLabs 2025 Oct 9. doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2510.08106.)

However, it’s critical to emphasize that these systems do not replace clinical experts. While robots may assist with image capture, trained sonographers and physicians are still essential for reviewing images, interpreting findings, and making clinical decisions. In practice, autonomous ultrasound is best viewed as a force multiplier, helping extend expert care to more patients by streamlining acquisition, not eliminating the need for professional judgment.

2. Real-Time 3D Ultrasound Tracking for Interventional Procedures

In interventional radiology and surgical guidance, a next-generation ultrasound innovation is emerging: real-time 3D tracking of instruments using ultrasound. A new system combines B-mode ultrasound with photoacoustic beacons embedded in needles, allowing clinicians to see the exact 3D position of a biopsy needle in real time during procedures (arXivLabs 2025 Dec 18. doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2511.20514). This could dramatically enhance safety, precision, and outcomes in biopsies and minimally invasive therapies.

This could more than improve imaging resolution—it could fundamentally change how ultrasound guides tools during procedures.

3. Ultrasound-Based Neuromodulation and Brain Interfaces

We’re now seeing ultrasound go where it has never gone before, deep into the brain for therapeutic neuromodulation and neurological intervention. One high-profile study showed development of an ultrasound “helmet” capable of targeting very precise brain regions non-invasively, with implications for treating Parkinson’s, depression, stroke recovery, and other conditions traditionally managed with invasive techniques (Nat Commun 2025 Sep 5;16(1):8024. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-63020-1).

Another ongoing research effort uses focused ultrasound to study human consciousness and explore potential treatments for mental health disorders, a direction of ultrasound research that blurs the line between imaging and direct brain modulation (AXIOS Boston).

4. Low-Cost, Ultra-Flexible Transducer Materials

A cutting-edge materials innovation is producing ultrasound transducers that are both extremely flexible and inexpensive. By integrating porous graphene with 3D-printed piezoelectric polymers, researchers have created flexible ultrasound patches that can be customized in frequency and produce high-quality images, all at very low cost (arXivLabs 2025 Oct 17. doi: 10.48550/arXiv.2510.15737. These could accelerate the adoption of wearable and patch-based imaging technologies beyond prototype labs and into widespread clinical use.

This trend in wearables can help produce more images in different settings.

5. Ultrasound for Non-Invasive Cancer and Tissue Ablation

Although still early in wide adoption, ultrasound therapy is transforming from purely diagnostic to a therapeutic tool that can treat disease directly. Techniques like histotripsy, which uses focused sound waves to mechanically destroy tumor cells without incisions, radiation, or chemotherapy, are already entering clinical practice in some hospitals, with regulatory pathways accelerating adoption (The Times).

This marks a major shift: ultrasound is not just about seeing disease, but treating it in a non-invasive, precise way.

Why These Trends Matter in 2026

What makes these trends stand out beyond incremental improvements is that they represent new functional roles for ultrasound:

  • Autonomy & robotics could solve skill shortage issues.
  • Real-time 3D guidance enhances intervention safety and efficacy.
  • Neuromodulation breakthroughs expand ultrasound into brain therapy.
  • Flexible materials change the economics and form factors of devices.
  • Therapeutic uses like histotripsy redefine clinical treatment paradigms.

Together, these innovations shift ultrasound from a supportive imaging modality to a central tool across diagnostics, therapy, and even autonomous healthcare delivery.

Therese Cooper, MS, RDMS, is a sonographer and the Chief Learning Officer at the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. 

The AIIUM logo.

Interested in learning more about the advancements in ultrasound? Check out these posts from the Scan:

Top 5 Posts of the Year: Insights and Innovations

Posted on by
Reply

As the field of sonography continues to evolve, staying informed about the latest trends, challenges, and advancements is crucial for professionals and students alike. This year, we’ve seen remarkable developments in technology, education, and clinical practices that are shaping the future of diagnostic imaging. From groundbreaking innovations in neurosonography to the urgent call for more student training opportunities, these posts reflect the most impactful discussions and insights of the year.

Here are the top five blog posts on the Scan that captured attention and sparked conversations across the community this year.

Ultrasound to Differentiate Benign From Malignant Ovarian Tumors—Are We There Yet?
In this post, Jacques Abramowicz, MD, FACOG, FAIUM, discusses the role of ultrasound in distinguishing benign from malignant ovarian tumors, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnostic criteria due to the high mortality associated with ovarian cancer. It reviews key ultrasound features, such as size, appearance, and blood flow characteristics, alongside advanced scoring systems like the IOTA Simple Rules, ADNEX model, and O-RADS framework, designed to assist non-experts in diagnosis. The post highlights the effectiveness of these methods in improving diagnostic accuracy while stressing the importance of expert evaluation in inconclusive cases.

Exploring the Future of Ultrasound: 5 Trends to Watch
Therese Cooper, BS, RDMS, highlights in this post five key trends shaping the future of ultrasound technology: portable and handheld devices, artificial intelligence integration, advancements in 3D and 4D imaging, increased use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), and therapeutic applications like noninvasive surgeries and targeted treatments. These innovations promise to make ultrasound more accessible, efficient, and versatile across diverse medical settings, further solidifying its role in modern healthcare. The future holds exciting possibilities for enhanced imaging and expanded diagnostic and therapeutic uses.

Fetal Neurosonography
This post by Eran Bornstein, MD, emphasizes the importance of fetal neurosonography, a specialized ultrasound technique for detailed assessment of fetal brain anatomy, offering superior diagnostic capacity compared to routine screenings. While effective in diagnosing various brain malformations and reassuring patients, its practice in the U.S. is limited due to a lack of training and awareness, and the absence of a dedicated procedural code. The post advocates for increased education, standardized guidelines, and broader access to this critical diagnostic tool.

Introduction to the Emerging Field of Post Cranioplasty Neurosonography
Another post by Eran Bornstein, MD, FACOG, FAIUM, along with Netanel Ben-Shalom MD, FNPS, and David Langer, MD, FNPS, introduces post-cranioplasty neurosonography, a cutting-edge field enabled by sonolucent cranial implants that provide an acoustic window for ultrasound imaging of the adult brain. These implants allow for detailed, real-time brain assessments in various planes, aiding in postoperative monitoring for complications such as hemorrhage, midline shift, and shunt evaluation. As the technology evolves, its integration into patient care holds potential to reduce reliance on radiation-heavy imaging modalities, improve point-of-care diagnostics, and lower healthcare costs, though questions remain about optimal implementation and clinician roles.

Getting Sonography Students Hands-on Experience
In this post from 2022, Kathryn A. Gill, MS, RTR, RDMS, highlights the urgent need for OB/GYN practices to provide hands-on training opportunities for sonography students to ensure a steady pipeline of skilled professionals in the field. Overcrowded schedules and burnout among current sonographers are limiting student rotations, potentially jeopardizing the future workforce. The author calls for creative solutions and collaboration within the sonography community to integrate students into clinical environments, stressing that this effort is critical to maintaining high standards of OB sonography care.

Interested in writing a post yourself? Contact us and let us know.

Exploring the Future of Ultrasound: 5 Trends to Watch

Posted on by
1

Ultrasound technology has come a long way since its inception and continues to evolve at a rapid pace. As we look ahead to the near future, it’s clear that ultrasound will play an even more vital role in healthcare. In this blog post, we’ll explore 5 trends (in no particular order) that are set to shape the field of ultrasound in the coming years.

1. Portable and Handheld Ultrasound Devices

The trend of portable and handheld ultrasound devices is on the rise. In the past, ultrasound machines were hundreds of pounds, carted around on wheels, and costly to manufacture. These new, compact, and lightweight devices offer healthcare professionals the convenience of conducting ultrasound examinations at the patient’s bedside, in remote areas, or during emergency situations, and wearable devices will become part of the ultrasound tool kit. Their affordability and ease of use make them accessible to a broader range of healthcare providers, expanding the potential applications of ultrasound. I predict that, under a doctor’s care and orders, the ways in which ultrasound is used will expand!

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration

AI is revolutionizing the field of medical imaging, and ultrasound is no exception; however, sonographers and doctors are not going anywhere. AI algorithms can assist in image analysis, automate measurements, enhance quantitative imaging, and aid in the detection of abnormalities. In the near future, we can anticipate more sophisticated AI integration into ultrasound systems, which will not only enhance diagnostic accuracy but also improve workflow efficiency. AI will play a significant role in making ultrasound more accessible and reliable in terms of scanning, reading images, and delivering accurate results.

3. 3D and 4D Imaging

Three-dimensional (3D) and real-time 3D (4D) ultrasound imaging will continue to advance, providing clinicians with more detailed and interactive views of anatomical structures. This trend will be particularly valuable in obstetrics for capturing fetal development and in various other medical specialties where enhanced visualization and quantification are crucial. Expect to see more applications for complex anatomical assessments and dynamic studies.

4. Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS)

Point-of-care ultrasound, or POCUS, is transforming the way medical professionals diagnose and manage patients. POCUS is expected to see increased adoption in various clinical settings, including emergency medicine, anesthesiology, primary care, and critical care. As training programs expand, more healthcare providers will be equipped to use POCUS for rapid and accurate assessments, which can lead to improved patient care and outcomes on the spot. With increased adoption, interest in ultrasound practice accreditation in this area is rising.

5. Therapeutic Ultrasound Applications

Beyond its diagnostic role, ultrasound is making great advances in therapeutic applications. Techniques like High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) are being employed for noninvasive surgeries, cancer treatments, and targeted drug delivery. In the coming years, we can expect to see further developments in therapeutic ultrasound, offering less invasive treatment options for a wide range of medical conditions and increasing the potential for ultrasound theranostics.

The future of ultrasound is incredibly promising with these 5 trends at the forefront of its evolution. From portable devices and AI integration to advanced imaging techniques and expanding applications in point-of-care and therapeutics, ultrasound is set to become even more integral to modern healthcare. Stay tuned as these trends continue to shape the landscape of medical imaging and patient care. We’re excited to witness the many possibilities that lie ahead for this versatile technology.

Therese Cooper, BS, RDMS, is a sonographer and the Director of Accreditation at the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine.