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Bioradar interferometry in epilepsy diagnostics in paediatrics (BrainEpPP)

Bioradar interferometry in epilepsy diagnostics in paediatrics (BrainEpPP)

Using radar interferometry, biomarkers such as heartbeat and respiration can be recorded over a distance of several metres and through materials that interact only slightly with electromagnetic waves, such as clothing, bedspreads, mattresses or wooden components, without any stress for the person concerned.

The technical basis is the six-port radar interferometer. This technology is being intensively researched exclusively by the project initiators in connection with biomarkers.

As a result of previous research, it is possible to reliably record heartbeat and respiration in test persons (LINK: GUARDIAN).

Further biomarkers that indicate the function of the autonomic nervous system can be derived from the vital parameters, e.g. heart rate variability (HRV). This enables the application in epilepsy diagnostics, because by means of ECG analyses, a significant change in HRV could be found during and also in the immediate run-up to an epileptic seizure. In the present project, these changes are to be used to detect or even predict epileptic seizures by radar-based, contact-free and stress-free monitoring. This enables continuous monitoring and monitoring of affected persons who can only cooperate to a limited extent, such as infants or newborns.

This opens up the following typical fields of application:

  • Continuous monitoring to detect clinically inapparent seizures and quantify the frequency of occurrence of seizures to optimise antiepileptic treatment.
  • Anticipation of clinical onset of an epileptic seizure up to 15 minutes before onset
  • Detect long-term changes or early signs associated with sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP)
  • Monitoring during a seizure to detect critical developments (prolonged respiratory arrest, generalisation)

The research is taking place within the framework of a BMBF-funded project in an interdisciplinary consortium (funding code 13GW 0295).