This early feasibility test explores impedance plethysmography (IPG) for detecting toe pulse waves using a setup suited for miniaturized devices. Conventional tests often miss micro-circulatory impairment, which is critical for wound healing and limb survival. We designed a flexible 3D-printed clamp with Ag/AgCl electrodes positioned on the inner big toe to target the lateral plantar digital artery. 50 kHz impedance measurements were performed on a healthy volunteer using 3D-printed electrode clamp for a tetrapolar configuration. Custom designed flexible electrodes were tested with and without contact gel. Preliminary results suggest that IPG can capture distal pulsatile signals, motivating further exploration of the potential for early detection of peripheral vascular dysfunction.
Keywords: Bioimpedance; artery; flexible electrodes; plethysmography; pulsatile blood flow; tetra-polar; toe.
© 2025 Håvard Kalvøy et al., published by University of Oslo.