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What We Did
Lymphoedema is a medical condition causing swelling of the soft tissue of the body due to excessive accumulation of lymph fluid. If it remains undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to complications such as restriction of movement, immobility, problems getting clothing to fit and psychology distress. We explored a selection of mechanical material models suitable to model the behaviour of soft tissue to diagnose lymphoedema based on measuring some selected mechanical properties of the skin. Additionally, a custom made medical device called tonometer has been designed and developed for the purpose of clinical tests.
Who Was Involved
St Georges Cancer Care Centre, HRC Explorer Grant
Why It Matters
The current state-of-the-art in lymphoedema diagnosis and treatment shows that early detection and treatment is the most effective means to manage and improve the quality of life for people living with this condition. It is envisioned that the synergy of mechanics of materials and the current knowledge on lymphoedema can produce a bench-to-bedside solution improving the life of people living with lymphoedema.
