L2M NSERC - Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) Smart Garments

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Intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICUAW) is muscle weakness that develops during a patient's ICU stay and may last for years following discharge. For patients 66 or older, on a breathing machine for 2 weeks or longer, 50% will experience permanent muscle wasting and weakness, inducing life-long disability and resulting in loss of functional independence, reduced quality of life and increased health resource utilization and cost.Few options exist to provide therapy to prevent ICUAW. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is highly effective at maintaining muscle mass and strength following limb injury, when loading and exercise is limited. NMES has been trialed in the ICU but it is unfeasible practically and economically because current devices only permit short term treatment, with constant monitoring and protocol adjustment by a therapist of one muscle group at a time. We are developing smart textile garments, (leg stocking and arm sleeve) enabling automated, sustained NMES therapy in the muscles of the upper and lower limbs required for activities of daily living. Our technology will permit simultaneous management of the therapy in multiple patients by one therapist with patient-specific and ICU coordinating dashboards. Our innovation using smart textiles, sensors and machine learning algorithms will unlock this sustaining therapy for patients in the ICU and beyond.