Abstract
Ultrasound is widely recognized as a safe and versatile imaging (and therapy) modality, yet its future as the foundation for wearable and implantable devices is only beginning to unfold. At the Johns Hopkins HEPIUS Innovation Labs, we bring together expertise from engineering, medicine, ethics, and public health to design, fabricate, and test next-generation ultrasound systems. These efforts are driven by innovations in electronics design, acoustic modeling, and custom transducer fabrication.
In this seminar, Manbachi will highlight the engineering principles behind miniaturized ultrasound transducers, their integration with driving electronics, and the modeling of acoustic fields in complex biological environments. Applications span from implantable systems for monitoring spinal cord injury (MUSIC) to cranial devices for early detection of tumor recurrence, and wearable sensors for blood clot detection and trauma triage.
Beyond device development, Manbachi will share how multidisciplinary teams spanning clinicians, engineers, data scientists, and regulatory experts are advancing these technologies from benchtop characterization to preclinical testing. The aim is to demonstrate how careful design and cross-disciplinary collaboration allow ultrasound to evolve into both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool, reshaping monitoring and treatment in neurosurgery, critical care, and beyond
Bio
Amir Manbachi is an accomplished and distinguished figure in the fields of neurosurgery, biomedical engineering, ultrasound, and entrepreneurship. His impressive background includes a multitude of roles and accolades that reflect his strong commitment to advancing medical technology and innovation. He is an Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University with appointments in the Departments of Neurosurgery, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical and Computer Engineering. He is also the co-founder and the director of HEPIUS Innovation Labs, where he focuses on developing cutting‑edge wearable and implantable medical ultrasound devices for spinal cord injury patients. Manbachi’s research centers on pioneering applications of sound and ultrasound technologies across a range of neurosurgical applications, including imaging, tumor ablation, and neuromodulation. His specific research interests include ultrasound‑guided spine surgery, detection of foreign bodies, and monitoring blood flow and tissue perfusion. He has authored numerous journal articles, conference proceedings, inventions, and books, with notable publications in Nature Communications Medicine, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering (TBME), Ultrasonics, Microcirculation, and Scientific Reports. His contributions have been recognized with over 20 inventions and several prestigious awards. Manbachi also has extensive experience teaching engineering design, medical imaging, and entrepreneurship at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Toronto, where he has received teaching excellence awards from both institutions. His career exemplifies a profound dedication to interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and education, and his impactful research and entrepreneurial ventures have significantly advanced the frontier of medical ultrasound technology, particularly in neurosurgery and biomedical engineering.
