Electrical and computer engineering assistant professor Benjamin Sanchez has partnered with Medtech company, ImpediMed, to test and define the safety parameters of its L-Dex device on patients with pacemakers.
ImpediMed designs and manufactures medical devices that use bioimpedance technology for non-invasive clinical assessments and monitoring. Its L-Dex technology detects small lymphedema-related fluid changes in the limbs to diagnose fluid accumulation that occurs most commonly as a result of breast cancer treatment. Early detection can reduce progression and prevent the condition from becoming clinical lymphedema.
It does this by sending a low-level electrical signal through the body. The ease at which the signal travels through areas affected by increased fluid from lymphedema development is compared to unaffected areas to track a patient’s progress and identify if intervention is needed.
Bioimpedance technology is a quick and accurate test used for early fluid detection but has an initial contraindication for patients with pacemakers to prevent the electrical signal from interfering with the pacemaker. These patients are then limited in the tests they can participate in and monitored less often.
Sanchez’s lab will create ultra-realistic human simulations to determine the safety current levels for patients with pacemakers. Their goal is to provide sufficient evidence to support future use in this population. This project will allow Sanchez to fund new students to work in his lab. Students who work on this project will be exposed to state-of-the-art tools and gain hands-on experience in the biomedical industry.
Find out more about this project and apply to Sanchez’s lab here.