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Title: “Frequency Domain Shortwave Infrared Spectroscopy for Fluid Volume Status Monitoring during Hemodialysis”

Advisory Committee: Irving Bigio, PhD – BME, ECE (Chair) Darren Roblyer, PhD – BME Aurelie Edwards, PhD – BME Vipul Chitalia, MD/PhD – BUSM Medicine

Abstract: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health concern, affecting an estimated 13% of the global population. Hemodialysis (HD) is the lifeline for a majority of end stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients. The current methods of monitoring volume status (i.e., hydration level) of patients undergoing HD are considered inadequate, resulting in severe and sometimes life-threatening complications. This project aims to develop a new optical technology called frequency domain shortwave infrared spectroscopy (FD-SWIRS) for the unmet clinical need of HD volume status monitoring in patients with ESKD. FD-SWIRS will provide three unique sources of noninvasive, label-free contrast for HD monitoring: 1) tissue molar water concentration changes calculated from broadband (900-1310 nm) optical absorption, 2) broadband reduced scattering (µs′), and 3) bound water index (BWI), which utilizes subtle spectral shifts related to the binding of water molecules to tissue proteins. We hypothesize that these contrasts can be used to better track real-time tissue volume status and provide a non-invasive indicator of in vivo water dynamics. This could provide an important means to avoid serious life-threatening acute and long-term complications related to HD.