Work in progress: cost-effective table-top ultrasound systems as platform for biomedical engineering education.

Ultrasound is a relatively low-cost and safe imaging modality, and is widely used in various applications in healthcare. The principles associated with ultrasound imaging represent an interplay between math, physics, engineering, and medicine. As such, it has the potential to act as an educational platform that integrates many different fundamental disciplines, particularly those that may be initially daunting for students, into a real-world application. Our team is currently developing a low-cost, high-precision, table-top ultrasound system optimized for education and student-led research. In parallel to hardware design, we are also creating an integrated curriculum for fundamental engineering concepts relevant to undergraduates in biomedical, mechanical, and general engineering programs. To evaluate the ultrasound system and educational materials, we will run courses and evaluate learning outcomes in at least two Boston area educational institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]