Available Technologies

Technology

Managing fluid intake to prevent dehydration, or in some cases overhydration, is essential to maintaining a healthy, functioning body. Dehydration is often an avoidable cause of hospitalization, and overhydration is a concern for patients with congestive heart failure or kidney disease. A method of measuring fluid intake that accurately reports the results in a user-friendly, cost effective manner is needed to promote compliance and tracking.

Researchers at UAH have developed a system consisting of an intelligent liquid container integrated with a smartphone application and background server. The container is able to continuously monitor the volume of liquid inside, and this information is accessible to the user via smartphone. The data can also be stored on the server for long-term analysis and accessed by the user’s physician if permitted. Sensors on the container facilitate user identification and direct measurement of physiological parameters, such as heart rate, oxygen saturation, total body water level, and galvanic skin resistance. Indirect measurements can be made to allow non-invasive blood pressure monitoring. These measurements can be integrated into a personal medical record, providing users personalized monitoring and advice.

This technology is ideal for the fitness and wearable technology market as well as areas of the medical market that cover congestive heart failure and renal/kidney disease. It can also be utilized in nursing homes and hospitals