Sensorized knee sleeve to monitor bioimpedance in patients with osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis affects millions worldwide, significantly impairing mobility and reducing quality of life. This study aims to develop a sensorized knee sleeve equipped with bioimpedance technology for non-invasive monitoring of knee joint health in osteoarthritis patients. A comprehensive state-of-the-art analysis identified bioimpedance as a promising indicator of knee osteoarthritis and edema, highlighting its potential to assess inflammation and fluid accumulation in joint tissues. To validate the measurement process, preliminary experiments were conducted to investigate factors influencing bioimpedance readings, like sweat and temperature and ensure reliability. Following these initial tests, we proceeded with the design and development of the knee sleeve. The device integrates a custom PCB, a rechargeable battery, and two inertial measurement units (IMUs) to evaluate the gait cycle and detect leg extension. A prototype firmware was implemented to enable accurate measurements and test the functionality of all components in real-time. Data collection is currently underway on healthy subjects to build a normative dataset, which will serve as a baseline for comparison with osteoarthritic patients. The data from healthy individuals will help to establish reference ranges for impedance values and gait parameters. In future phases, we plan to enhance the firmware and begin data collection on patients with osteoarthritis to investigate the effects of bioimpedance on knee health further. Overall, this study establishes a foundation for bioimpedance-based wearable monitoring as a potentially transformative tool for evaluating knee joint health in clinical settings.