Project: MikroFlow – Microcirculation measurement

To assess microcirculation as a vital parameter for evaluating a patient's condition, capillary refill time (CRT) is currently measured manually and thus subjectively in everyday emergency medical services and clinical practice.

While conventional measurement methods for recording macrocirculation (e.g., blood pressure, pulse measurement, pulse oximetry) are widely used, there are only a few practical, examiner-independent, quantitative, and mobile methods for recording relevant information about microcirculation. An existing discrepancy between insufficient microcirculation (blood flow in organs and tissues) and normal macrocirculation (blood flow in the large vascular system) cannot currently be adequately recorded. However, microcirculation disorders significantly increase organ dysfunction and mortality rates. Previous methods for measuring microcirculation are complex, are therefore only used sporadically in clinical and experimental settings, and have limited significance.

The aim of the project is to design and implement a compact, examiner-independent measurement system for diagnosing impaired microcirculation and for the early detection of, for example, fluid deficiency or regional circulatory disorders, based on the measurement of capillary refill time. The measurement system should be able to transmit the data wirelessly to enable central monitoring.