US-based medical technology developer BodiGuide has unveiled a new wearable technology that can continuously measure leg oedema and quantify fluid retention.
The device, dubbed BodiGuide Anklet, is specifically designed to accurately measure leg oedema, which is the most important indicator of fluid imbalance.
Oedema is associated with various health conditions, including medication side effects, pregnancy, venous insufficiency, lymphedema, sleep apnea, migraines, and infections.
It is also related to underlying chronic diseases such as heart failure, kidney disease, and cirrhosis of the liver.
BodiGuide Anklet is a simple, low-cost device that uses a direct method of measuring the efficacy of therapies and treatments, and can be implemented effectively at scale.
It plays important role in the management of chronic diseases, and could improve the efficacy of treating the underlying cause of fluid retention, said the company.
Duke University Medical Center advanced heart failure specialist and cardiologist Marat Fudim said: “In the field of heart failure, I see the BodiGuide Anklet as a very promising technology.
“Physicians across specialities taking care of patients with heart failure need a reliable way to monitor the efficacy of prescribed treatments such as diuretics but also other guideline-directed medical therapy, and quantification of leg oedema is likely the most direct method of achieving that goal.”
Oedema is caused by the accumulation of fluid in the intercellular tissue, due to abnormal expansion in interstitial fluid volume, often in feet, legs, and ankles.
The swelling in the leg, produced by the retention of fluid in leg tissue, is known as peripheral oedema and is an important symptom related to several medical conditions.
In the current clinical practice, assessment of oedema and response to treatment remains highly subjective, where healthcare providers consider multiple parameters.
The parameters include physical examination, blood chemistry, and patient-reported weight change, and they often produce discordant information.
BodiGuide claimed that its new technology can continuously measure oedema in real time and provide an objective assessment of the patient’s condition.
