A New Intelligent Stocking for Quantification of Edema in the Lower Limbs

Background:

Balance of body fluids is strictly regulated within a narrow range and is controlled by water movement between the interstitial compartment and the capillaries. An unnatural balance between the two compartments can be seen in several diseases, leading to a net filtration out of the vascular space, resulting in the formation of edema. Monitoring of edema formation represents a unique way of evaluating the degree of the underlying disease and effect of treatment. Numerous different methods can be used to quantify leg volume. However, no current method provides continuous quantitative assessment. The feasibility of continuous lower leg measuring using an intelligent stocking was hypothesized.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the Edema Stocking device (ESD) as a tool for continuous quantification of edema compared with water displacement volumetry (WDV) and tape measure.