America scientist has developed the first wearable sensor to detect and monitor muscle loss, which could be used by astronauts on long-term missions or patients at home to monitor their health.
The study below is the first known method of monitoring muscle atrophy using a wearable device, and builds on previous work by researchers developing health sensors for NASA. The researchers say the wearable device is still some way from practical use, and the next step is to connect it to a mobile app to record the wearer's health information and send it directly to doctors and others.
Muscular dystrophy refers to the shrinkage of muscle volume caused by the thinning or disappearance of muscle fibers. It can occur for a variety of reasons, but is usually related to degenerative diseases and aging. Doctors currently rely on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) devices to assess patients for muscle atrophy, but frequent tests are time-consuming and costly. Electromagnetic sensors made of electrically conducting "e-wires" could replace MRI for detection, new research suggests.
The device, developed by researchers at Ohio State University, works using two coils (one for transmitting signals and one for receiving them) and a conductor made of an "e-wire." The final product is similar to a blood pressure cuff, but is specially designed so that it can be extended to fit more people.
To test how well the new device worked, the researchers created 3D-printed limb molds and filled them with ground beef to simulate calf tissue from human subjects. The results showed that the sensor measured small changes in limb volume and detected muscle loss of up to 51 percent. The study is the first known method of monitoring muscle atrophy using a wearable device, and builds on the researchers' previous work developing health sensors for NASA.
