Detecma

Inspiration

When we came across the statistic that “one in five people will develop cancer”, it hit us. That’s not just a number—it means that, if our probability theory did not fail us, there’s about a 67% chance that at least one person in our team of 5 could be affected. The realization was both terrifying and strangely comforting. It's scary knowing how close to home it could hit and relief because, thanks to advances in modern medicine, a cancer diagnosis today isn’t the hopeless sentence it once was.

But as we dug deeper, we discovered another condition—lymphoedema—that rarely gets any attention. In fact, all 5 of us had never heard of this prior to joining this hackathon. Unlike cancer, lymphedema often goes unnoticed, quietly impacting lives and leaving many people feeling isolated and unsupported. Yet, for those who face cancer, there’s a significant risk—about 15.5%—of developing cancer-related lymphedema, making awareness and support more important than ever. That’s why we decided to turn our focus toward lymphedema for this hackathon. We may not discover a cure, but we’re determined to build something that brings real relief and makes life a little easier for those who struggle in silence.

What it does

Our idea integrates three key components: an intelligent bracelet, an electrical stimulation system to reduce swelling, and a comprehensive doctor's dashboard. In essence, study shows that Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) are effective therapies using electrical currents to help manage conditions like lymphedema. By combining these therapies with bioimpedance sensors—which sensitively monitor fluid levels and swelling in limbs—our system can support daily therapy and offer relief for minor symptoms.

The intelligent bracelet uses bioimpedance technology to detect changes in lymphatic fluid, enabling real-time feedback and personalized electrical stimulation treatment to reduce swelling. Meanwhile, the doctor’s dashboard provides medical professionals insight into patient progress and includes social features to foster psychological support, which we believe is vital because staying positive significantly impacts cancer recovery.

This integrated approach aims to bring practical relief, empower patients with daily monitoring, and enhance overall care through connected support.

How we built it

It is honestly impossible for us to develop an actual prototype with TENS, NMES and bioimpedance sensors due to time constraints and cost. To develop the actual product, proper clinical studies shall be conducted. Hence, for this stage, we transformed it into more of a proof of concept and for a simple demonstration.

For demonstration, we simulated swelling by inflating a latex glove, exaggerating the effect to clearly visualize the concept. In place of bioimpedance sensors, we used an accelerometer to detect changes. We also leveraged the ESP32 provided to create a real-time monitoring system based on sensor readings. To showcase the stimulation aspect, we implemented control panels on a web interface that simulate electrical stimulationof TENS and NMES by lighting up different LEDs.

Additionally, we incorporated features such as a doctor’s dashboard, with an additional function of peer support system, such as the ability to allow added friends to remind those who have not shared their daily swolleness level. There is also a chat function to demonstrate our commitment to promoting psychological support alongside physical therapy. While this prototype is basic, it lays a foundation and communicates the potential impact our solution could have with further development and validation.

What's next for Detema

We see our current proof-of-concept as just the very first step on a much longer journey. Looking ahead, we have a roadmap that we hope to follow, though we understand that each stage will require significant effort and learning.

Our immediate goal is to improve the accuracy of our system. In the very near future, we hope to move beyond our initial prototype and explore more reliable sensors to get closer to our original vision.

Following that, we recognize the critical importance of expert guidance. Therefore, as a next step, we hope to seek validation by connecting with doctors and relevant non-profit organizations. Their feedback will be invaluable in helping us understand if our approach is truly on the right track.

If it goes smoothly, our next goal is to explore opportunities for clinical testing and collaboration with hospitals and NPOs. This would be a crucial step to see if our idea has any real-world potential to help people.

Summary of Detema

Detema directly addresses Singapore's aging population challenge by developing a comprehensive lymphedema management solution that empowers elderly Singaporeans to age with dignity in their own communities. With Singapore set to become a super-aged society by 2030, where 1 in 4 citizens will be over 65, our project tackles a critical yet overlooked health condition affecting 1.5 million aging people worldwide, with an average age of over 80 years. Through our intelligent bracelet system combining bioimpedance monitoring, therapeutic electrical stimulation (TENS/NMES), and a doctor's dashboard with social support features, we enable seniors to manage their chronic lymphedema from home while staying connected to healthcare providers and peer support networks. This aligns perfectly with Singapore's Age Well SG initiative, which emphasizes aging in place, preventive care, and community-based healthcare solutions. By providing real-time health monitoring, personalized treatment, and psychological support through technology, Detema represents the kind of innovative, accessible healthcare solution that Singapore needs to ensure its rapidly aging population can live healthier, more connected, and fulfilling lives without the burden of frequent hospital visits or institutional care.

Finally, we know that building something useful is an iterative process. Finally, we plan to re-evaluate our project, using all the feedback gathered to refine and improve our solution. This is a long road, and we are committed to listening and adapting every step of the way.