There exists a need to improve outcomes of limb volumetric measurements for medical practitioners, such as physical therapists and plastic surgeons, to reduce the time and variability associated with current methods of measurements, which will enable lymphedema patients to receive timely care and maximize the value of their clinical visits.
Background
Lymphedema exists when the lymphatic system fails to remove lymph fluid from the body, leading to swelling of limbs. This limb swelling is caused by the interstitial accumulation of protein-rich fluid that leads to adipose tissue hypertrophy and fibrosis. Based on the degree of severity of each type of lymphedema, patients will be diagnosed with either minimal, moderate, or severe lymphedema.
Regular volumetric measurements allow medical practitioners to accurately monitor the progression of lymphedema in the body and help clinicians assess the effectiveness of treatment plans, such as physical therapy or surgery. However, current volumetric measurement methods, such as circumferential techniques, bioimpedance spectroscopy, and water displacement, are time-intensive, inaccurate, and highly irreproducible, making adequate diagnosis of lymphedema at different stages difficult and sometimes leading to differing results between medical practitioners.