AI Foot Scanner Predicts Heart Failure Hospitalizations Up to 13 Days in Advance

A new home-based AI device designed to scan a person's feet upon waking up in the morning could help prevent hospitalizations in heart failure patients. The scanner, developed by Heartfelt Technologies, a Cambridge-based start-up, uses advanced "foot recognition" technology similar to face recognition. It captures and analyzes 1,800 images per minute to detect fluid buildup, known as edema, in the feet and lower legs. Edema is one of the primary indicators that heart failure is worsening, alongside sustained weight gain and breathlessness. Heart failure affects more than a million people in the U.K., and uncontrolled cases often lead to hospitalizations. The device aims to identify edema early, triggering alerts to healthcare teams to intervene promptly. This intervention can involve adjusting medication or providing immediate advice, potentially avoiding a trip to the hospital. According to Dr. Philip Keeling, a consultant cardiologist and senior author of the study, current methods for early detection, such as daily weight monitoring, are inadequate and often miss the signs that the AI scanner can catch. The FOOT (Fluid Overload Observation Technology) study, supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), involved 26 patients across five NHS trusts. Participants were asked to weigh themselves regularly to track their heart failure progression. Among those with the scanner installed for at least two weeks, alerts were triggered 8 to 19 days before hospitalization, averaging 13 days. During this period, the device accurately predicted five out of six hospitalizations, whereas weight checks failed to predict any. The scanner is compact, roughly the size of a smart speaker, and is installed beside the patient’s bed. It operates continuously and automatically, scanning the patient's feet and lower legs without any user interaction. It works offline, making it accessible even to those without internet access. Privacy is maintained by limiting scanning to the area below 50 cm from the floor, covering the feet and lower legs. The device can even scan through thin socks, making it more versatile. Dr. Keeling highlighted the device's role in acting as a virtual nurse, continuously monitoring health and reducing the burden on healthcare systems. Heart failure can be overwhelming for patients due to the need for regular medication, tests, and appointments. The scanner offers a sense of relief by automatically alerting healthcare professionals when action is needed. At the end of the six-month study, 82% of the remaining participants, 18 out of 22, opted to keep the device. Edema is particularly dangerous as it indicates the heart's reduced ability to pump blood effectively, leading to fluid retention that complicates kidney function. Hospitalizations for acute heart failure are critical to avoid not only due to their health risks but also because they strain hospital resources, with patients typically staying for about 10 days. Future plans include expanding the trial to a larger cohort to further validate the device's effectiveness. The foot recognition technology will also be improved to handle environments with more people, such as care homes, where it could provide greater utility. Currently, the device can distinguish one person's feet from 100 others but may face challenges in more crowded settings. Industry experts are optimistic about the potential impact of the Heartfelt scanner. Professor Bryan Williams, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), stated that the device shows significant promise in improving outcomes for heart failure patients by facilitating earlier interventions. He emphasized the importance of innovations like this in advancing heart care and achieving the BHF’s mission to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease. The British Heart Foundation is a leading independent funder of cardiovascular research, aiming to prevent, diagnose, treat, and manage heart and circulatory diseases. Heartfelt Technologies, with its innovative approach, aligns well with these goals, offering a practical solution to a complex health issue.