learn invent impact

High-Content Sensing for Leg Edema

05-17-2016

Background Sensors for Leg Edema

Current methods:
1. Impedance plethysmography (IPG)

Measure small changes in electrical resistance

3D imaging methods
3. Direct volume measurement using strain sensors
2.

R. Fallahzadh et al., Pervasive

Computing, 2015
NCSU/UNC Team

D. Hayn et al., Sensors (13), 2013

Drawbacks of Current Approaches

1.

IPG method relies on the measurement of

impedance and lacks accuracy.
Impedance:

Z=
V

Change of impedance: DZ =

J LE J LI dV

1
1
J

J
dV
J LE J LI dV
LE
LI

s
+
D
s
s
V +DV
V

Z is the impedance (/m3), V is the test volume (m3), is the conductivity (S/m).

J LE is the lead field of the voltage measurement (1/m2).

J LI is the lead field of the current feeding (1/m2).
The leg swelling increases the volume (V) and we anticipate to see a larger impedance (Z).
On the other hand, the fluid buildup in leg increases the conductivity (). As a result, the
measured impedance can not reflect the actual degree of leg swelling.

Drawbacks (Contd)
2.

Drawbacks of the direct measurements of volume:

incapable of detecting material properties

Prone to the noises due to patients motions.

Proposed Solution Multiple Sensors + Data Analysis

Our solution is a wearable legband with multiple sensors:

Strain sensors
Multi-point impedance sensor (12 test points)
Accelerometer, gyroscope, and temperature sensor
Data mining and machine learning algorithms
Flexible PCB controller board with wireless data transmitter

Legband Integration of Multiple Sensors

1.

Multi-point impedance sensor (12 test points)

Current
input

2.
Microcontroller
with wireless
communication unit

Voltage
test points

Strain sensors

3.

Electrodes with sensor pad

Digital 12 channel MUX
LCR meter
Embed inside the elastic band

Environmental sensors

Accelerometer
Gyroscope
Temperature sensor
Example: flexible wristband
(Gao, W. et al. Nature
(http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/natu
re16521)

Overview of High-Content Sensing Legband

Sensor unit
IPG
(Z)

Strain
(L)

Temp
(T)

Motion
(, a)

Onboard
microcontroller

Data process
unit

Smartphone/iPad
Cloud

Data mining
Machine learning

Results

Project Plan
Sensor unit design

Fabricate elastomeric band (PDMS) {Summer 2016}

Develop and test multipoint IPG sensor {Summer 2016}

COMSOL simulation of low-frequency field distribution in leg

Pattern electrodes in PDMS band
Test using an artificial leg using LCR meter (4192/4263)
Add MUX for multipoint measurement

Design microcontroller temperature and motion sensors

{Fall 2016}

Data process unit

???

Funding Opportunity

Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research

Grants (EBRG) (R21)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-16-040.html
Submission date (new proposals): Feb 16, June 16, and
Oct 16