Revolutionising lymphoedema treatment - A disruptive technology to improve quality of life

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Clinical problem: Cured of a deadly disease (cancer), but left to survive with a lifelong chronic condition (lymphoedema [LE]). LE is a chronic, progressive, and incurable disease. It is caused by the inability of the lymphatic system (the "plumbing" of the body) to remove fluid from the affected area, resulting in excessive swelling (Fig.1A-B). Risks can include increased age, obesity, and commonly, cancer treatments (e.g., surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy). It affects up to 70% of breast, prostate, head and neck cancer patients; they face a lifelong risk of developing lymphoedema, which can manifest from weeks to years after cancer treatment; it is a growing aging challenge and an under-met medical problem.Importance: Growing aging problem with negative impact on quality of life (QoL): with an estimated ~120-250 million individuals globally being affected by LE. It continues to increase with the growing aging population (International Lymphoedema Framework-ILF). It is a leading cause of disability worldwide, yet it remains underdiagnosed, undertreated, under-researched, and underfunded in most healthcare systems, mainly due to lack of awareness from both the public and healthcare professionals (HCP). Lymphoedema patients face huge physical, psychological, and socioeconomic consequences which dramatically reduces their QoL, and significantly affect healthy aging. Physical consequences include: disfigurement, disability, fatigue, pain, excessive swelling. Psychological consequences include: anxiety, depression, decreased self-confidence from distorted body image and loss of independence. Socio-economic consequences include: Huge financial burden (£10K increase in annual treatment), due to the high cost of treatment. (e.g., clinic visits, compression therapy, physiotherapy, several times a week). Lack of productivity due to reduced independence from physical consequences. A new approach is needed: Compression strategies to reduce limb volume such as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD - performed by certified massage therapists), and/or the use of an advanced pneumatic compression device (PCD - delivered at specialist clinics) are critical aspects to treatment, which are viewed as barriers to daily life and described as "terrible daily armour". The lack of an effective way of managing the disease and the inaccessibility of treatment means that this has the most significant effect on patients who are lower income. Proposal: In this project, a new wearable sleeve that is fully portable will be designed, developed, manufactured and tested. The aims of this wearable medical device is to 1) Provide a more sustainable, affordable, and accessible alternative treatment for LE patients, using a needs-led approach 2) Increase LE awareness.My objectives is to : 1) Deliver the world's first portable PCD device - "LymphMotion"; allowing the patient to frequently self-manage their condition, empowering them to have a higher sense of self-autonomy and improve their quality of life. 2) Work with LE stakeholders to provide outreach workshops and increase awareness of lymphoedema and effective management strategies.