Non-invasive monitoring method for lower-leg compartment syndrome using a wireless sensor system and finite element analysis

Abstract

In this study, a non-invasive pressure monitoring system that is portable and convenient was designed for detecting compartment syndrome. The system combines a wireless module and smartphone, which aids in the achievement of mHealth objectives, specifically, the continuous monitoring of the compartment pressure in patients. A compartment syndrome detecting method using a wireless sensor system and finite element analysis is developed and verified with an in vitro lower-leg model by rapid prototyping. The sensor system is designed to measure a five point pressure variation from the outside of the lower leg and transmit the data to a smartphone via Bluetooth. The analysis model based on the finite element method is employed to calculate the change of pressure and volume inside the four compartments of the lower leg. The in vitro experimental results show that the non-invasive detecting method can monitor the compartment pressure and provide a warning for the occurrence of compartment syndrome if the compartment pressure is higher than 30 mmHg. Furthermore, the theoretical simulation of the real lower leg shows similar trends to those of the in vitro experiments and can promptly detect the occurrence of compartment syndrome. Measured pressure values exceeding 6.3, 2.7, and 2.8 kPa for the three sensors contacting the outside centers of the superficial posterior, anterior, and lateral compartments, respectively, can indicate that each compartment contains a pressure higher than 30 mmHg. These results can provide a warning for the risk of compartment syndrome of each compartment. In addition, the measured values from the three sensors contacting the superficial posterior compartment at the outside center, close to the tibia, and close to the lateral compartment exceeding 1.8, 0.7, and 0.7 kPa, respectively, can indicate the risk of deep posterior compartment syndrome.

Noninvasive Technique to Monitor the Pressure under a Cast: A Mobile Application-Friendly Bluetooth Pressure Sensor

“…Yuri et al [ 16 ] developed a new method for noninvasively monitoring intracompartmental pressure using shear wave elastography for a pressure increase in the lower extremity in healthy volunteers. In another study, Chang et al [ 17 ] designed a portable and convenient noninvasive pressure monitoring system for compartment detection and demonstrated that compartment pressure can be measured in vitro with finite element analysis. In this study, we determined the amount of swelling in the patient's forearm under the plaster by inflating the cuff; therefore, we examined the relationship between cuff pressure and SCCSP and discovered a high correlation.…”

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Wireless Pressure Sensor Assisted Orthopedic Nursing Effectiveness Evaluation

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