BME.11- Hydration Sensor for Ostomy Patients

• Reem Allam
• Aarushi Arora
• Jerwyn Castillo
• Jacob Devadas
• Citlally Santacruz

Ileostomy surgery, a procedure performed on the small intestine to divert intestinal waste through a stoma on the abdominal wall, significantly impacts patients’ lives. Among the complications, rehospitalization due to dehydration poses significant challenges, particularly for ostomy patients, who are often older individuals with limited mobility. Existing solutions for monitoring hydration, reliant on user activity levels, are inadequate for this population. In response to this clinical need, our study proposes an innovative approach utilizing impedance measurements using galvanic skin response (GSR) of the stoma area to potentially offer a more reliable and accessible method for monitoring hydration status in ostomy patients. We investigate the feasibility of measuring the impedance of the stoma to assess underlying tissue hydration levels. This exploration aims to contribute to the development of effective hydration monitoring techniques in ostomy care. The key design inputs for our solution include the development of a low maintenance and user-friendly device capable of accurately measuring impedance and interpreting hydration levels to the patient. To validate the efficacy of our approach, we conducted experiments using fresh chicken skin and intestine as surrogate models. We observed a strong correlation between impedance measurements and hydration status (R^2 = 0.889). Specifically, increasing impedance values from GSR measurements were observed as chicken intestines dehydrated over time, indicating the potential of impedance measurement as a reliable indicator for hydration assessment. Additionally, our study identified the stoma site as a promising location for sensor placement, offering a unique interface for monitoring hydration levels in ostomy patients. By providing a non-invasive and reliable method for assessing hydration status, our approach has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes, quality of life, and reduce the risk of rehospitalization.