Lower Extremity Edema Monitor (20150192, Dr. Rajesh Rajamani)

Wearable Edema Tracking Device

A wearable, multi-sensor device incorporated into socks measures leg size, tissue elasticity, and lower leg water content to remotely monitor lower extremity edema. Calibration-free magnetic field sensors accurately measure leg size, thin-film force sensors measure tissue elasticity, and measuring the change in ultrasound speed detects tissue water content. The device provides fluid accumulation information from these sensors to healthcare systems in an effort to provide home based monitoring of chronic diseases whose status is predicted by the level of lower leg fluid retention.

Early Detection for Lymphedema, Chronic Venous Insufficiency

In lymphedema, fluid accumulates in the lower legs occurs due to blockages in the lymphatic system. Fluid also accumulates in lower legs due to a number of other medical conditions, including chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), congestive heart failure, pre-eclampsia, liver disease, kidney disease, critical illnesses and in response to medications. Diagnostic tests for lymphedema and CVI are currently done in a clinic and often occur only after significant deterioration of disease status. Early detection would be valuable since treatment for both lymphedema and CVI is easiest and most effective when disease deterioration is detected early. In the case of heart failure, the ability to monitor fluid status and predict potential onset of acute decompensation can help prevent hospital readmissions and provide significant cost savings. While fluid accumulation is not specific to just one disease, monitoring its status can predict deterioration in disease status of any previously diagnosed patient-specific chronic condition such as heart failure, lymphedema or CVI.

BENEFITS AND FEATURES:

• Multiple biosensors more reliably predict increasing accumulation of fluid in lower legs
• Magnetic leg size sensors do not require calibration before use and provide accurate drift-free measurements
• Better predictive value over standard self-measurement and self-reporting of weight changes and symptoms
• Wireless transceiver offers passive monitoring technology
• Noninvasive and unobtrusive: does not require surgery
• Improved patient compliance
• Home-based monitoring, avoiding clinic visits and prevention of hospital readmissions

APPLICATIONS:

• Patient monitoring equipment in hospitals (e.g., intensive care, coronary care unit)
• Home-based monitoring that prevents hospital readmissions and saves cost by eliminating clinic visits
• Cardiac monitoring/arrhythmias
• Patients at risk for edema (e.g., congestive heart failure, lymphedema, chronic venous insufficiency, obstetrics, geriatrics)
• Mobile cardiovascular technology
• Digital health IT
• Healthcare
• Electromedical/electrotherapeutic apparatus manufacturing
• Medical devices
• Manufacturing

Phase of Development - Prototype and testing