PROJECT
ThrombUS+: Developing a novel wearable device for continuous screening and early detection of Deep Vein Thrombosis
A PROJECT FOR: European Union (Horizon Europe program)
BRIEF
The
Challenge
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of a blood clot within the deep veins, most commonly those of the lower limbs, causing obstruction of blood flow. In 50% of people with DVT, the clot eventually breaks off and travels to the lung to cause pulmonary embolism.
Clinical assessment of DVT is notoriously unreliable because up to 2/3 of DVT episodes are clinically silent and patients are symptom free even when pulmonary embolism has developed.
Early diagnosis of DVT is crucial and despite the progress made in ultrasound imaging and plethysmography techniques, there is a need for new methods to enable continuous monitoring DVT diagnosis at the point of care.
FOCUS
The
Approach
ThrombUS+ brings together an interdisciplinary team of industrial, technology, regulatory, social science, and clinical experts to develop a novel wearable device for point-of-care, operator-free, continuous screening of patients with high DVT risk.
CONCLUSIONS
The envisioned result
The final device will combine autonomous, AI-driven DVT detection based on a novel wearable ultrasound hardware, impedance plethysmography and light reflection rheography for immediate detection of blood clot formation in the lower limb.
Activity and other physiological measurements will be used to provide a continuous assessment of DVT risk and support DVT prevention.
The device is intended for use by postoperative patients in the ward, during long surgical operations, cancer patients or otherwise bedridden patients at home or in care units, and women during pregnancy and postpartum.
Website: thrombus.eu
As experts in social and behavioural sciences, PredictBy contributes to the following tasks:
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Identifying and developing reference use cases to better understand how the device features should address the needs of patients and clinicians.
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Retrieving, organising, and analysing clinical information from the project clinical partners (mostly through in-depth interviews and a review of literature).
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Coordinating the identification and integration of requirements with regulatory and technical experts.
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Conducting cost-effectiveness analysis and business model definition.
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