Specifically, I was curious if the excess fluid in the lungs affects the electrical properties of the lung’s tissues in a way that can be sensed through radio frequency waves with a wearable device. The idea was to put a pair of wearable sensors on the patient’s chest and back. The devices would connect wirelessly through the lungs to monitor the change in the amount of liquid.
If the device detected the onset of pulmonary edema, it could alert the patient or their caregiver to contact a medical professional. The tool could also potentially send that information directly to the health care provider via a smartphone or other device.
I consulted with an expert from the National Institutes of Health on whether such a device would be helpful in practice. He confirmed that it would be in two ways. The device could provide regular screening of people susceptible to pulmonary edema. It would also be a useful tool to monitor patients who have been discharged from the hospital as they recover from this condition at home.
This simple idea led to an interesting research project.