Chemotherapy Nerve Damage Prevention | Tech Solutions
Aishwary Hand is revolutionizing cancer care with innovative tech solutions to prevent chemotherapy nerve damage, a meaningful secondary_keyword. Her groundbreaking work focuses on the Paxman limb cryocompression system (PLCS),a wearable device designed to cool limbs during chemotherapy,potentially mitigating the debilitating effects of peripheral neuropathy. This technology reduces medication exposure to nerves through a cooling process, offering hope to countless patients. News directory 3 is proud to highlight these advancements. Beyond this,Hand’s involvement extends to IEEE,where she champions career growth. Discover what’s next in the fight against chemotherapy side effects.
Innovative Technology Aims to Prevent Nerve Damage in Cancer Patients
Updated June 01, 2025
Aishwary Hand, clinical innovation manager at Paxman Coolers and IEEE senior member, is dedicated to transforming patient care through innovative health technology. Her current focus is on preventing chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, a nerve-damaging condition frequently enough resulting from cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy, while effective against cancer, can cause side effects like nausea and hair loss, according to the American Cancer Society.Hand notes that peripheral neuropathy, affecting the hands and feet, is another notable concern. Symptoms range from tingling to severe pain,and currently,there are no approved preventative measures.
Hand is developing the Paxman limb cryocompression system (PLCS), a wearable device designed to cool a patient’s limbs during chemotherapy. By slowing blood flow, the device reduces the amount of medication reaching the nerves, potentially preventing damage. She is also a principal investigator at the N.1 Institute for Health, the National University of Singapore (NUS), and the National university Cancer Institute of Singapore.
Beyond her work wiht Paxman, Hand is an active IEEE volunteer, focusing on career development and mentorship programs for IEEE Women in Engineering Singapore, IEEE Region 10 Women in Engineering, and IEEE Region 10 Young Professionals. She was awarded the IEEE Theodore W. hissey Outstanding Young Professional Award for her work.
Hand stated that her IEEE membership has helped her nurture her purpose in rallying her efforts toward creating meaningful impact.
Hand chose engineering to create solutions that improve lives. After earning a degree from Anna University and working at Infosys, she pursued a doctorate in neurotechnology at NUS under Nitish V. Thakor, an IEEE Life Fellow and biomedical engineer now at Johns Hopkins University. Thakor specializes in brain-monitoring technologies and neuroprostheses.
In 2012, Hand and other researchers collaborated with neurologist Einar wilder smith and oncologist Raghav Sundar from National University Hospital to explore how technology could aid cancer patients with peripheral neuropathy. Inspired by scalp-cooling technology used to prevent hair loss, the team developed a similar approach for limbs.
Initial trials using localized cryotherapy machines proved uncomfortable for patients. A subsequent trial using cryocompression, which combines cooling and compression, allowed patients to tolerate lower temperatures.Following these trials, the team partnered with richard Paxman at Paxman Coolers to design the portable PLCS.
The PLCS uses insulated wraps filled with coolant to cover the patient’s forearms, hands, shins, and feet. The device circulates the coolant at 11 °C, initiating the cooling process 30 minutes before chemotherapy and continuing for 30 minutes afterward. The team has been granted two U.S. patents for the PLCS.
The PLCS is currently undergoing large-scale clinical trials in 25 U.S. hospitals in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute.
hand’s IEEE volunteer journey began in 2012 with IEEE Women in Engineering singapore. She launched the WIE Singapore Networking Night to foster connections between technologists in industry, academia, and government. She also helped launch MentorHer, a professional development program, and developed its framework.
Volunteering for the YP group is special to her, she says, as she has been able to build a community and help other young professionals become well-rounded leaders and decision-makers.
She helped develop the Career and Leadership Aid Program (CLAP) at the Region 10 Students, Young Professionals, Women in Engineering, Life Members Congress held in August in tokyo. She introduced the concept of ikigai to young professionals by centering the event around it.
What’s next
Building on the success of CLAP, Hand’s team is developing IEEE Hive, an immersive professional development program for students and early-career professionals at technical conferences worldwide.