Diagnosis of compartment syndrome using a microwave based detector

A novel method for identifying compartment syndrome is presented. This method is based on a novel device that uses electromagnetic waves in the microwave radio frequency (RF) region and a modified algorithm previously used for the estimation of the angle of arrival of radar signals. In this study, we employ this radio frequency triage tool (RAFT) to the clinical condition of compartment syndrome, which is a clinical condition where blood or edema in the muscle compartment of the leg leads to critical sichemia of that exptremity. In anesthetized pigs, RAFT can detect changes in the R F signature from a leg is due to 2cc or greater of either blood or slaine (a surrogate of edema). These results are compared to clinical examination. RAFT is superior to clinical examination in its ability to detect compartment syundrome in pigs.