Assessing simulated arm lymphoedema by a prototype of bioimpedance spectroscopy device. Possible implication of its use in the follow up of patients who underwent extensive breast cancer surgery

VELLUZZI, F.; CORSALE, VALERIA; TOCCO, F.; DELL'OSA, A. H.; FOIS, A.; CAPONE, A.; MARONGIU, G.; MELIS, L. ; SERRA, C.; BERTETTO, A. M.; CONCU, A.

International Journal of Mechanics and Control

OJS/PKP

Lugar: To; Año: 2021 vol. 22 p. 127 - 135

1590-8844

The aim of this research was to enable women after breast cancer surgery, in which armslymphoedema often occurs, to self-monitor this disease using in-home an easy-to-use-devicewhich assesses the arm?s resistance ratio, considered an indirect, non-invasive index ofincreased extracellular water volume in those limbs. An homemade equipment based on thebioimpedance spectroscopy technique, was tested on 20 healthy volunteers which, by means oftwo ECG disposable electrodes, connected to the device both their dominant and auxiliaryupper arms and changes in electrical resistance were assessed while an alternate current of lowintensity and sweeping frequency from 15 to 75 kHz had be injected. In the same volunteers, anarm lymphoedema with about 100 ml excess of extracellular water was simulated bysubtracting 0.8% from measured resistance values in each arm. The arms? resistance ratioagainst the increasing frequency gave rise to a parabolic branch visible on a mobile phonescreen and, when the arm lymphoedema was simulated, the corresponding curve appearedpositioned below that of the one without oedema. The patient?s self-awareness, due to thedevice?s self-management, could allow these subjects to actively approach the disease whilesharing their results remotely with clinical specialists by an internet connection.