LymphaTech seeks to develop a novel lymphatic physiology-based, feedback-controlled intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) device for the treatment of secondary lymphedema. While compression therapy has been the primary treatment for lymphedema patients for decades, there have been minimal innovations in approaches that leverage compression therapy. In contrast to this, there have been substantial gains in understanding of lymphatic physiology and lymphedema disease progression that have not been realized into innovative approaches to improve compression for lymphedema. This Phase 1 proposal aims to develop a prototype that drastically improves medical compression therapy through the major innovations: 1) the incorporation of dynamic external pressure waveforms with magnitudes and temporal and spatial frequencies that are optimized to enhance lymphatic contraction of the lymphatic pump; 2) realtime monitoring of tissue bioimpedance using novel flexible, wearable sensors to provide feedback of tissue water content to compression protocols for optimization of compression based on patient activity (e.g. sleeping, standing, sitting); and 3) incorporation of LymphaTechs proprietary compression garment sizing and limb measurement volume technology to further enhance compression efficacy. Optimizing the delivery of lymphatic physiology-based compression waveforms combined with real-time feedback from embedded sensors is expected to dramatically increase the clinical efficacy of IPC for lymphedema patients.
