Pressure Ulcer Prevention Devices Biomedical engineering – Robert Karas & Corina Malone

Mission Mission: “Our mission is to use our engineering and collaboration skills to develop a product that will help people who are at risk for pressure ulcer formation, reduce the chance of developing an ulcer and be more self sufficient in the process” STRATEGIC FOCUS: Not interested in class III devices or pharmaceutical or tissue engineering solutions Marketable to more than just our patient of interest Interested in active devices to reduce patient compliance issues Interested in devices that are mobile and not restrained to one location for use

Background Patient: Vietnam Veteran – gunshot wound to spinal cord leaving him paralyzed Double Amputee (Legs above knee amputations) Suffers from PTSD (Water Calms him) Lives with Wife and sometimes Grandson Pressure Ulcers: Risk Factors are blood loss due to prolonged pressure, temperature, and friction Common in boney areas of the body like tailbone, hips, ankles, or elbows

Current Solutions Mattresses: Comments: Not mobile for patient Expensive Effective at reducing risk factors Used mostly in hospital or home setting Wheelchair Pads + Slip Covers: Comments: Mobile Inexpensive Effective at distributing pressure Used mostly in home setting Prolonged use can still stop blood flow to an area of the body Ability to show pressure information Micro-Climate Devices: Comments: Mobile Inexpensive Effective at keeping body cool Used in hospital and home setting Usually used with other pads or beds

Market/Stakeholder Analysis 2.5 million people in the US develop pressure ulcers annually Hospitalizations related to pressure ulcers increased by 80% from 1993-2006 Prevalence of pressure ulcers in the US is widespread across various settings (hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation centers, home care) 65,000 individuals who simultaneously develop pressure ulcers and are wheelchair bound 25% of all SCI (spinal cord injuries) patients develop pressure ulcers each year The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reports that the cost of treating a pressure ulcer in acute care (as a secondary diagnosis) is $43,180 per hospital stay In a 2010 study analyzed the costs of treatment for patients with stage IV pressure ulcers : community-acquired ulcers, with average of 4 admissions, were estimated to cost $124,327 hospital acquired ulcers, during 1 admission, were estimated to cost $129, 248 There is a 2.8 billion dollar market available in pressure ulcer prevention

Market/Stakeholder Analysis cont… Hospitals Nursing Homes Patients Medical equipment companies Caregivers Home healthcare agencies Insurance Companies

Need Statement “There is a need for a device that actively assists in lowering the risk factors of pressure ulcer formation (pressure, temperature, and friction) in patients that have to be in a wheelchair for an extended period of time.”

Concept One : Inflatable Wheelchair/Recliner Pad Redistributes pressure to promote healing Offers therapeutic modalities including thermal and acoustic features Compatible with a variety of wheelchairs Portable Deliverables 1. Workable prototype Pressure Testing Data Therapeutic modality ESTIMATED TIMELINE: 16 WEEKS

Concept Two : Wheelchair w/ Tilt Function Provides Active Management of Pressure on Wheelchair Limited Patient Compliance Pressure is Monitored Deliverables Workable Prototype Pressure Testing Data Comparative Data Estimated Timeline : 17 Weeks

Concept 3 : Water Circulating Cushion Circulating water will help distribute pressure Water cooling device will keep area at ideal temperature Attaches to back of the Wheelchair Deliverables Workable Prototype Pressure Testing Data Body Temperature Data Estimated Timeline : 15 Weeks

Decision Matrix

Sources http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/more-americans-hunting-and-fishing-survey-shows http://leafhealthcare.com/pdfs/LH_WP_FinancialOverview_1563AA_PDF_100514.pdf http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/190115-treatment http://www.apparelyzed.com/statistics.html http://www.cdc.gov/ https://spitzlift.com/ http://www.boardingramp.com/doc/wheelchair.htm http://www.sensimatsystems.com/ http://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/systems/hospital/pressureulcertoolkit/putool1.html http://www.woundsinternational.com/media/issues/300/files/content_8925.pdf http://www.npuap.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Using-Devices-for-Pressure-Ulcer-Prevention- and-Treatment-Handouts-30-March-20161.pdf