Researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT,Cambridge,MA,USA;www.web.mit.edu) and their collaborators at the Massachusetts General Hospital(Boston,MA,USA;www.massgeneral.org) have developed a new medical imaging device called the Noncontact Laser Ultrasound(NCLUS) that offers a cost-effective alternative,delivering capabilities similar to MRI and CT on a portable,automated platform.

This laser-based ultrasound system generates images of interior body features like organs,fat,muscles,tendons,and blood vessels.

Since NCLUS requires no manual pressure or coupling gels (unlike contact probes), it can be particularly suitable for patients with sensitive or painful body areas,frail conditions,or infection risks.Additionally,the system measures bone strength and holds promise for monitoring stages of disease progression.