Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42196131›Full record

ReviewGels (Basel, Switzerland)2026

Advancements in Ultrasound Gel Pad Technologies: Enhancing Diagnostic Precision, Procedural Efficiency, and Therapeutic Applications.

Khair Ul Wara, Muhammad Hasan Masrur, Rana Talha Khalid, Hadiya Malik, Komal Tariq, Abdul Alber, Sang-Eun Song, Jawad Hussain, Saad Abdullah

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Gels (Basel, Switzerland), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Khair Ul WaraDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Riphah International University, Lahore 54660, Pakistan.
Muhammad Hasan MasrurDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK.ORCID 0009-0001-2889-3053
Rana Talha KhalidDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Riphah International University, Lahore 54660, Pakistan.ORCID 0009-0000-0481-3525
Hadiya MalikDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Riphah International University, Lahore 54660, Pakistan.ORCID 0009-0002-3685-5791
Komal TariqDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Riphah International University, Lahore 54660, Pakistan.ORCID 0009-0006-6331-018X
Abdul AlberDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Riphah International University, Lahore 54660, Pakistan.
Sang-Eun SongDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA.ORCID 0000-0001-8579-2008
Jawad HussainDepartment of Biomedical Engineering, Riphah International University, Lahore 54660, Pakistan.ORCID 0000-0003-3305-4948
Saad AbdullahDepartment of Computer Science & Engineering, Mälardalen University, P.O. Box 883, 721 26 Västerås, Sweden.ORCID 0000-0003-4841-2488

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Ultrasound coupling technology is pivotal to ensuring high-quality diagnostic imaging, yet conventional water-based gels face persistent challenges, including acoustic impedance mismatch, air-bubble formation, dehydration, messiness, and cross-contamination risks. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the evolution, materials science, and clinical performance of ultrasound gel pads, an advanced alternative engineered for superior acoustic transmission, hygiene, and patient comfort. Historical progression from early coupling agents to modern polymeric and hydrogel-based pads is traced, highlighting breakthroughs such as bilayer hydrogels, nanocomposite reinforcements, metamaterial-inspired designs, and patient-specific 3D-printed pads. Comparative evaluations demonstrate that gel pads, particularly those integrating nanotechnology, rival but often outperform traditional gels in transmission efficiency, near-field resolution, and adaptability to complex anatomical surfaces, while offering reusability and reduced environmental impact. For instance, solid gel pads achieved 92.3% stone disintegration, compared with 45.5% for semi-liquid gel, in ESWL phantom studies (

Indexed as

3D-printed padsacoustic couplingbiocompatible and sustainable gel padsdiagnostic imagingdrug deliverygel pad fabricationshydrogel materialsinfection controltherapeutic ultrasoundultrasound gel pads

Identifiers

PMID42196131
PMCPMC13205574

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.