SONARC - Portable Ultrasound for Accessible Healthcare
erin Duffy
Glasgow School of Art
Sonarc explores how ultrasound technology can be made significantly more affordable without compromising its usefulness. Modern ultrasound systems use increasingly complex technology to produce highly detailed images, but in many situations, this level of imaging isn’t necessary. This creates an opportunity for a simpler approach. I developed a stripped-back ultrasound system designed around the essential requirements for basic imaging. With existing portable systems typically costing over £5,000, Sonarc has an estimated manufacturing cost of around £240, making it a potentially much more accessible alternative. The project involved extensive prototyping and testing, from developing the physical system to refining the user experience. The result is a working proof of concept that demonstrates the feasibility of the approach.