Sustained Acoustic Medicine (SAM) is best described as?

• A. Wearable ultrasound
• B. A high-power ultrasound device for surgery
• C. An imaging modality
• D. A drug delivery system

Answer: (A)

Sustained Acoustic Medicine is a wearable ultrasound approach that delivers therapeutic, low-intensity acoustic energy to injured tissues over extended periods to support healing and reduce pain. The device is designed to be strapped to the body and used for hours, often at home, providing continuous energy without a clinic visit. This long-duration, low-power delivery distinguishes it from high-power ultrasound used in surgery, which aims to cut or ablate tissue; from diagnostic imaging, which requires higher frequencies and imaging equipment to visualize structures; and from typical drug delivery systems, where the ultrasound energy would serve to facilitate transport of a drug rather than act as the primary therapy itself. The idea is to create a convenient, patient-friendly way to stimulate healing through sustained acoustic energy.