DIALYDOM

The project’s goal is the development and eventual commercialisation of a valid, robust, integrated and convenient-to-use, wearable, wire-less, hydration-monitoring system based on localised impedimetric measurements on the leg for self-application and use by dialysis patients, especially for those undergoing dialysis at home. Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Approximately 1 in 10 citizens suffer from some form of renal disease (the number is increasing) and, given the high cost of treatment, in the form of dialysis or renal transplant, CRF is a top priority in modern health care. The home-based self-monitoring of dialysis patients has been identified as being a key requirement in addressing the challenges (in the form of quality and cost of treatment) which presently face national health care providers, as clearly articulated, for example, in France’s Regional Health Organisation Scheme (4th version). In order to achieve this goal however, there is an identified need of a convenient and robust non-invasive technique capable of remotely assessing the hydrational status of home-based patients with renal insufficiency to detect and/or avoid life-threatening complications linked to both under- and over-hydration. Over the past few decades, Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) has shown promise as an objective, non invasive method of detecting and evaluating changes in the hydration and nutritional status of patients with renal disease and it is now accepted in the clinical setting. Efforts are being presently made to modify this technique, which requires cumbersome leads attached to the limbs. Unfortunately the electrodes used have simply been standard ECG electrodes manually placed on the patient. Not only is this less than user-friendly for a dialysis patient, it has been found that even very slight differences in electrode placement or electrode properties can have a significant adverse effect on the measurement. The present consortium therefore brings together leading specialists in the use of BIA, in the treatment and monitoring of Dialysis patients, in the study and modelling of the electrical properties of tissues and electrode interfaces, in microfabrication of sensors and associated circuitry and in the design and development of electrode arrays, in particular those for electrical impedance measurements on the human body. The partners include leading research laboratories in INSA and CEA-Leti, an SME producing a BIA system specifically for Dialysis monitoring (one of only two in the world) and a specialist Clinic dealing with the monitoring of dialysis patients. The consortium will improve the design of the electrodes, the measurement technique design, and the streamlined electrode harness to ensure accurate positioning of the electrodes. The associated electronics will be miniaturised and integrated into the body of the electrode harness to avoid the presence and danger of cumbersome dangling leads. The electronics will include an accelerometer to monitor the position and stability of the leg during the measurement, and a BlueTooth link for the interface with an external device for the user interface (basically a smart-phone). The Dialydom project is perfectly aligned with the first theme of the TECSAN call: development of technologies for Health