Real-time wearable hydration tracker for older adults
Clinical effectiveness of a wearable hydration device
A small wearable sensor watches body fluid levels and alerts older adults and their caregivers when hydration drops too low.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tritonx INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11184499 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would wear a lightweight sensor that uses bioimpedance spectroscopy to monitor changes in your body fluids throughout the day. The project will refine how the device measures hydration, set actionable thresholds for alerts, and test the device in real-life settings where older adults live or receive care. Caregivers and clinical teams can receive alerts so they can prompt drinking or provide care before dehydration becomes severe. The initial phase focuses on proving the device gives consistent, usable information in home and acute care environments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Older adults who live independently or receive home care and who are at risk of dehydration or related complications are the best fit for this project.
Not a fit: People under 21, those already under continuous clinical monitoring for acute kidney failure, or anyone with implanted electrical devices that interfere with bioimpedance measurements may not benefit from this wearable approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the device could help prevent dehydration-related complications, reduce emergency visits and hospitalizations, and prompt earlier caregiver action.
How similar studies have performed: Bioimpedance methods have shown promise in clinical settings like dialysis for tracking fluid changes, but wearable home-use hydration monitors are relatively new and not yet widely proven.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Tritonx INC. — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Johnson, Eamon — Tritonx INC.
- Study coordinator: Johnson, Eamon
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.