Computational Analysis of Subcutaneous Pressures in Lymphoedemic Limbs
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Computational Analysis of Subcutaneous Pressures in Lymphoedemic Limbs
IRAS ID
167756
Contact name
Raoul van Loon
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 15 days
Research summary
This research study is carried out to better understand the drainage of lymph in lymphoedema cases.
Computer models will be used to study the pressure distribution, when applying massage/pressure garments, in the soft tissues in lymphoedema cases.
MRI scans will be taken of two people who have unilateral (one side) lymphoedema of their lower limb. One will have lymphoedema from a secondary cause as a result of treatment of carcinoma and one will have primary lymphoedema.
Patients’ limb size and other information will be acquired from physicians in Singleton Hospital (the lymphoedema clinic) and MRI scans will be taken at Swansea University (Institute of Life Science building).The data will provide information from which computational modelling can analyse the pressure distribution in the soft tissues. This will be done by inserting segmentations from the MRI scans to a CAD program and then apply different pressure distributions onto the tissues. By using the segmentations and models, tissue parameters (such as the thickness of fat tissue) can be altered to study their effect on the pressure distribution within the soft tissues and thus the drainage of lymph.
The research project will be able to provide more insight into how to treat lymphoedema. Up till now, doctors and physicians apply pressure (e.g. massage) on patient’s limb based on their own experience and gained knowledge over the years.
However, they do not know what might be the best way to apply these sorts of pressures.Through this research study, doctors would be able to know how their massage/ pressure garments affect the drainage of lymph (i.e. how the pressure is distributed in the soft tissues) and thus know if a certain patient needs a certain type of pressure garment than the rest. The study will last for around 4 months (Jan-June 2014)
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/EE/0118
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion