seca Body Composition Analysis

Built by seca, the global leader in medical measuring systems since 1840, the seca mBCA Ultra offers precise, medically validated analysis of key body composition metrics.

The seca mBCA Ultra is a next-generation body composition analyzer designed in collaboration with medical experts. It combines clinical accuracy with cloud-based analytics and intuitive visual results — all in under 30 seconds.

Key Features:

• Clinically validated precision:
• Muscle Mass: 97% accuracy vs. whole-body MRI
• Fat-Free Mass: 98% accuracy vs. 4C model
• Total Body Water: 98% accuracy vs. deuterium dilution
• Comprehensive bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA): Measures arms, legs, and torso for full-body insight
• Ultrasonic height measurement integrated into the platform for BMI accuracy
• High capacity: Supports up to 360 kg (≈800 lbs)

Go beyond weight and BMI with actionable data on fat mass, fat-free mass, skeletal muscle mass, and body water, empowering more personalized health insights.

1. What things should I avoid before a seca scan?

Avoid the following to ensure a successful scan:

• Eating for at least 2 hours
• Alcohol for 12 hours
• Resistance training or intense physical activity for 12 hours
• Hairstyles like high buns or ponytails, which can interfere with height measurements
• Wearing lotion on hands or feet
• Drinking more than 8 oz. of fluid 30 minutes before the scan
  

2. How does Bioimpedance Analysis (BIA) work?

BIA relies on the fact that different tissues in the body have different electrical conductivities. Lean tissue, which contains a high amount of water and electrolytes, conducts electricity well. Fat tissue, on the other hand, is a poor conductor of electricity. Thus, a small, safe electrical current is passed through the body, seca mBCA measures the impedance (resistance R and reactance Xc) to the electrical current as it travels through the body.

Impedance is influenced by the amount of water in the body, which is directly related to lean body mass.

3. Which medical devices and procedures are contraindicated for seca BIA measurements?

Contraindicated (DO NOT perform BIA):

• Cardiac pacemakers
• Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs)
• Neurostimulators (e.g., deep brain, bladder stimulators)
• Active prostheses (powered or electronic limbs)
• Patients connected to life-support systems (e.g., artificial heart/lung)

Use caution (REMOVE before scan):

• External monitors like Holter ECGs or portable EKGs—remove all leads and electrodes to avoid signal disruption

Safe to use with BIA:

• Cephalic shunts
• Joint plates and replacements – Passive, non-electronic
• Insulin pumps – Safe if external parts don’t obstruct electrode contact
• Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs): These are considered safe and unaffected by the electrical signal.
• Cochlear implants and hearing aids: These do not interfere with the electrical current, which does not pass through the head.

While seca takes a conservative stance, some research supports the safety of BIA in patients with electronic implants.

While our BIA device operates using a low-level electrical current — typically around 50 kHz — we list the above items as contraindications to take a conservative approach, as they may still be affected by even minimal electrical signals. If a condition is not explicitly listed as a contraindication, BIA is generally considered safe.

4. Is it safe to perform BIA on a patient with a mechanical aortic valve?

Yes, mechanical aortic valves are not electronic devices, so they do not pose a contraindication for BIA. The small electrical current used in BIA does not interfere with non-electronic implants like mechanical valves.