Feasibility of Chest Ultrasound Up to 42 m Underwater

Overview

Journal Ultrasound J

Date 2023 Aug 21

PMID 37603121

Authors

Matteo Paganini

Giuseppe Cantarella

Danilo Cialoni

Ezio Giuffre

Gerardo Bosco

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

After recent advancements, ultrasound has extended its applications from bedside clinical practice to wilderness medicine. Performing ultrasound scans in extreme environments can allow direct visualization of unique pathophysiological adaptations but can be technically challenging. This paper summarizes how a portable ultrasound apparatus was marinized to let scientific divers and sonographers perform ultrasound scans of the lungs underwater up to - 42 m. A metallic case protected the ultrasound apparatus inside; a frontal transparent panel with a glove allowed visualization and operation of the ultrasound by the diving sonographer. The inner pressure was equalized with environmental pressure through a compressed air tank connected with circuits similar to those used in SCUBA diving. Finally, the ultrasound probe exited the metallic case through a sealed aperture. No technical issues were reported after the first testing step and the real experiments.

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