FUTURE RESEARCH PORTFOLIO
Other potential applications
Beyond oncology, repeatable multi-frequency conductivity mapping could be investigated in disorders that change bone, muscle, fat, fluid distribution or tissue structure over time.
Evidence boundary: these are research hypotheses—not validated AquaBIT indications. Established diagnostic tests and clinical pathways remain essential.
WHY EXPLORE THESE AREAS?
One measurement principle, several biological questions
Electrical tissue properties vary with water content, cell membranes, extracellular matrix, fat infiltration, inflammation, fibrosis and mineralised structure. AquaBIT could therefore be evaluated as a complementary research tool wherever repeated regional measurement may add information between established imaging assessments.
The scientific question is not whether these conditions influence impedance in principle, but whether a water-assisted three-dimensional system can measure those changes with sufficient sensitivity, localisation, reproducibility and clinical relevance.
CANDIDATE APPLICATIONS
A staged portfolio of testable hypotheses
BONE HEALTH
Osteoporosis follow-up
Investigate whether regional electrical properties add longitudinal information about bone and surrounding soft tissue alongside DXA, quantitative CT and fracture-risk assessment.
Must be compared with: DXA, CT-derived measures and clinical fracture outcomes.
METABOLIC HEALTH
Obesity and body composition
Study regional patterns of subcutaneous and visceral fat, lean tissue and fluid distribution, with particular interest in repeated change during weight-management interventions.
Must be compared with: MRI, CT, DXA and validated body-composition methods.
SPORTS & REHABILITATION
Muscle damage and recovery
Evaluate changes associated with oedema, membrane disruption, inflammation and recovery after injury, surgery or strenuous exercise.
Must be compared with: MRI, ultrasound, biomarkers, strength and functional recovery.
ORTHOPAEDICS
Fracture and healing research
Test whether local conductivity change can contribute to fracture localisation or serial assessment of callus formation and healing in selected anatomical regions.
Must be compared with: radiography, CT and clinical union. AquaBIT is not proposed for acute trauma triage.
NEUROMUSCULAR DISEASE
Muscular dystrophy
Investigate longitudinal electrical changes associated with muscle loss, fat replacement, oedema and fibrosis across multiple muscle groups.
Must be compared with: muscle MRI, strength, function, biomarkers and genotype-specific progression.
RARE DISEASE
Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva
Explore whether repeated, radiation-free measurements can detect candidate changes during soft-tissue inflammation and heterotopic ossification development.
Must be compared with: specialist clinical assessment and appropriate imaging, with exceptional attention to non-traumatic handling.
DEVELOPMENT DISCIPLINE
Oncology remains the first priority
AquaBIT’s current programme remains oncology first. Other applications would advance only where modelling shows plausible sensitivity, suitable phantoms can be built, a clear reference standard exists and the proposed workflow offers a meaningful advantage.
- Predefined technical detectability threshold
- Repeatable and safe acquisition protocol
- Clinically appropriate reference comparison
- Prospective evidence before any performance claim
Propose a rigorous application study
We welcome discussions with research groups in bone health, metabolic medicine, rehabilitation, orthopaedics, neuromuscular disease and rare disorders.
AquaBIT Medical 