Spencer Marx, a math student at the University of Utah, and partner Nathaniel Fargo, an electrical engineering and physics student, are the founders of Aloe, and they are currently focused on building a device to prevent rotator cuff injuries.
“We built a compact handheld ultrasound device and then incorporated AI to interpret images that would allow people with rotator cuff injuries to monitor the process of their rehabilitation,” Marx said. “Automating the process allows people to use it at home, increasing the amount of ultrasound data they have access to.”
The technology uses advanced ultrasound solutions to create full resolution images of what’s on the inside, with algorithms developed to guide and monitor the scanning process over the body. This procedure is non-invasive, can be done anywhere, and uses novel hydrogels to replace the use of traditional slimy ultrasound gels. Once images are acquired, they are securely transferred to Aloe’s cloud, where they will undergo AI analysis using one of the largest AI ultrasound models in the world. This process will return key results, and privately share trends, warnings, and other key health and statistical data to the user.
Due to the severity of rotator cuff and shoulder injuries the Aloe team hopes the device can be used in sports medicine and prescribed at a low cost to prevent further injuries. The Aloe device’s at-home portability will increase accessibility for people.
More articles like this in ‘Student Innovation @ the U!’
Find this article and a lot more in the 2026 “Student Innovation @ the U” report. The publication is presented by the Lassonde Entrepreneur Institute to celebrate student innovators, change-makers, and entrepreneurs.
