ITHACA, N.Y., Dec. 19 (UPI) -- An inexpensive, pocket-sized therapeutic ultrasound device has been developed by a graduate student at Cornell University in New York.
The university said the device "packs enough punch to stabilize a gunshot wound or deliver drugs to brain cancer patients."
George Lewis, a Ph.D. student in biomedical engineering, said the pocked-sized prototype he designed can be built with $100, compared to current ultrasounds that can weigh 30 pounds and coast $20,000. His goal is to see therapeutic ultrasound machines in every hospital and medical research lab.
The device is detailed in the journal Review of Scientific Instruments.
Lewis said the ultrasound could be used to treat conditions as prostate tumors or kidney stones. It could also be used to relive arthritis pressure and help treat brain cancer by pushing drugs quickly through the brain following surgery.
His new devices are currently being tested at Weill Cornell Medical College.
