Method and device for detecting edema

A method for detecting the presence of edema in a human, said method comprising:

• contacting a measurement site of a lower extremity of said human with a device comprising a planar surface and a probe extendable therefrom in a manner sufficient for said planar surface to contact the surface of said extremity;
• extending said probe from said planar surface until a specified force is reached, whereby a depression in a skin surface of said extremity at said measurement site of said extended probe is produced;
• maintaining said probe in constant position for a period of time and taking a plurality of force measurements;
• generating a force profile from said plurality of force measurements;
• and
• comparing the measured force profile to a control force profile to obtain a difference;
• and
• attributing any difference to the presence or absence of edema in said human;
• whereby the presence of edema in said human is detected.

A method for detecting the presence of edema in a patient suffering from congestive heart failure, said method comprising;

• contacting a measurement site of a lower extremity of said human with a device comprising a planar surface and a probe extendable therefrom in a manner sufficient for said planar surface to contact the surface of said extremity;
• extending said probe from said planar surface until a specified force is reached, whereby a depression in a skin surface of said extremity at said measurement site of said extended probe is produced;
• maintaining said probe in constant position for a period of time and taking a plurality of force measurements;
• forwarding said measurements to a processing means and generating a force profile from said plurality of force measurements;
• and
• comparing the measured force profile to a control force profile to obtain a difference;
• and
• attributing any difference to the presence or absence of edema in said human;
• whereby the presence of edema in said patient is detected.