Wearable health technology brings research closer to people
Researchers at the University of Oulu are developing innovations to monitor health. Experiments with realistic models, such as a cancer-detecting bra, a leg sleeve for spotting blood clots, and a helmet for tracking radiation therapy, offer a glimpse into future healthcare.
Mariella Särestöniemi together with Teemu Myllylä, Jarmo Reponen, Mikael von und zu Fraunberg, Juha Nikkinen, Sami Myllymäki and her students, are developing technology that could enable health monitoring and assessment with portable and wearable measuring devices. The research is part of the 6GESS research programme. Such devices could be used not only in hospitals but also in smaller health centers. In a country like Finland with long distances, there is demand for this. Bringing research equipment closer to people lowers the threshold for participating in studies, which in turn means health issues can be detected earlier and addressed more effectively.
“Instead of having to travel hundreds of kilometers to a hospital for examinations, a person could go to their local health center for a quick preliminary scan. This new technology thus increases regional equality in healthcare,” Särestöniemi illustrates the benefits of the emerging technology.
Microwaves detect tumors safely and quickly
Mariella Särestöniemi specifically studies the use of microwave technology in wireless health applications. Microwave technology is based on the different electrical properties of tissues. For measurement, researchers are developing portable or lightweight wearable devices, in which the radio signal traveling between installed antennas can be analyzed to detect anomalies such as tumors. The low-power microwave signal is safe and effective.
“For example, a signal sent through brain or breast tissue behaves differently when it encounters different tissues, which provides data for the doctor interpreting it,” Särestöniemi explains.
The technology is well-suited for wearable devices, as the necessary components are small and inexpensive.
“Developing such devices for use in health centers or even ambulances is therefore realistic,” Särestöniemi says.
Another advantage of technology is speed.
“It takes only a few nanoseconds for a microwave signal to pass through, for example, the head. The measurement process is quick and effortless.”
Tumor-Detecting bras to help with mammography challenges
Särestöniemi envisions a new, effortless way to participate in breast cancer screening using microwave-based measurement, in addition to traditional mammography. Many women skip screening because mammography is perceived as painful or the journey to the examination is too long.
“Mammography does not detect tumors in all breast types, which in any case requires additional examinations. The devices under development could solve many of mammography’s challenges.”
Microwave-based breast cancer monitoring devices are already being clinically tested across Europe. Särestöniemi’s goal is to develop monitoring bras alongside these larger devices, enabling preliminary checks in smaller health centers, where they could even be used independently. The device, worn briefly, would measure and automatically send the data to the treating physician.
“The procedure is intended to be as easy and quick as measuring blood pressure,” Särestöniemi describes.
Another vision for a self-use device is a leg sleeve that detects blood clots. After surgery, the risk of blood clots is elevated, so it would be useful if the patient could monitor signs of clot formation at home. The sleeve could be pulled on a few times a day to check the situation.
A new way to monitor radiation therapy effects affordably and effectively
The newest application, which has sparked much interest among doctors, relates to monitoring the effects of radiation therapy in treating brain tumors. In certain cases, the tumor is treated primarily with radiation therapy instead of surgery.
“The effects of radiation therapy should be monitored frequently to assess whether the treatment is sufficient or if other methods need to be considered. Current imaging methods are either expensive or use harmful radiation, which is why they cannot be performed very often,” Särestöniemi explains.
Researchers are designing a lightweight helmet for head monitoring, which the patient wears during scanning. Analysis of the microwave signal traveling between antennas placed around the helmet reveals whether the treatment has been effective and the tumor has shrunk. Preliminary research results show that microwave technology can detect even small changes in tumor size.
“Radiation therapy specialists are very interested in this, as it would allow for more frequent monitoring of treatment safely.”
Realistic models account for different human bodies
In Oulu, researchers aim to consider different body types as thoroughly as possible and test the technology in challenging situations. This helps determine whether the new technologies work in real-life scenarios with diverse individuals.
“For example, breast tissue types differ significantly depending on the amount of glandular and fatty tissue. The differences in properties between glandular and tumor tissue are relatively small compared to fatty tissue and tumors. Detecting a tumor is much more difficult if the breast contains a lot of glandular tissue.”
The tissue models used by researchers are made in an environmentally friendly way from cooking ingredients.
“Once the measurements are completed, the models can be disposed of as biowaste. We can easily and quickly make new models and adjust their size,” Särestöniemi says.
Many technologies are being researched, but the applications are not yet in use. If all goes well and clinical trials prove successful, microwave-based applications could be in use in health centers within ten years.
“Microwave technology is considered very promising and is already undergoing clinical testing in European hospitals,” Särestöniemi states.
Source (text and image): The University of Oulu
In the picture senior researcher Mariella Särestöniemi in the Human Body Twin Laboratory.
