The feasibility of using compression bioimpedance measurements to quantify peripheral edema

The accurate assessment of body fluid volume is important in many clinical situations, especially in the determination of “dry weight” in a dialysis setting. Currently, no clinically applicable diagnostic system exists to determine the mechanical properties that accurately characterize peripheral edema in an objective and quantitative manner. We have developed a method for quantifying the impact of compression on the electrical properties of tissue by measuring stress-induced changes in bioimpedance (BIS). Using this method, we simultaneously measured the impedance and mechanical response of a tissue mimicking material (tofu) under both quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions. Our results demonstrate a temporal quantification of viscoelastic properties using a viscoelastic phantom tissue model.