Pressure Ulcer Reducing Wheelchair Pad Robert Karas1, Corina Malone1, Frank McClosky2, Jacob Dodman2, and Bobby Lorenz2 Dr. Gerald LeCarpentier1, Dr. Darrell Kleinke2 1Biomedical Engineering Department, Lawrence Technological University 2Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Detroit Mercy Project Goal Develop a seat cushion that will help minimize the risk factors associated with pressure ulcers, including pressure distribution, friction, and moisture. This device is designed to be user friendly and can accommodate a wide variety of patients who suffer from or are at risk for pressure ulcer development. This device will not only be used for wheelchair bound individuals, but any client that has to be in the seated or supine position for a prolonged period of time. This device was designed to help patients redistribute pressure, and eliminate the need for a caregiver to readjust the client. Testing Methods Inflatable Bladder Testing Material Testing System (MTS) machine to test bladder burst pressure using two parallel plates. Weight Capacity Testing to determine the weight in which the pump and bladders stop supporting the load. Inflatable Bladders Gore-Tex Material Testing Waterproof testing to ensure that water will not penetrate surface. Puncture testing to ensure that common items in pocket will not puncture inflatables. Resistant Outer Shell Disease-State Background Protective Layer Gore-Tex Membrane 2.5 million Americans develop pressure ulcers annually. 25% of clients with a spinal cord injury develop pressure ulcers in conjunction with their pre-existing injury. $43,180 is the average yearly cost to treat a pressure ulcer. Factors that increase risk for pressure ulcers include pressure, friction, moisture, and temperature. Protective Layer Soft Inner Liner Stage 1 Stage 2 Skin Layers Subcutaneous Soft Tissues Prototype Testing Ensure that the Arduino can control individual bladders. Confirm that pressure distribution occurs and that the tilt angle of 15 degrees is accomplished for therapeutic effect of device. Bone Stage 3 Stage 4 Pressure Ulcer Progression Current Solutions Pressure Alternating Pressure Reducing Patient Tilting Pressure Distribution Phase Client Tilt Phase Prototype Results Burst pressure of 13.6 psi, which is under the predicted pressure of 8 psi. Weight capacity of 400 pounds. Desired capacity of 300 pounds is feasible. Material is waterproof and can resist puncture with common items. Overall tilt is the therapeutic minimum of 15 degrees. The main limitations of the predicate devices are the need for a caretaker or nurse to continually rotate and/or reposition the patient, the high cost of these devices, and the inability of these devices to predict when a patient is at risk for pressure ulcer development. Final Prototype Design Project Design Parameters Current and Future Work Automatic Comfortable Easy to Clean Friction Reducing Portable Remote Control Operation Sensor Feedback Support Standard Weight (300 pounds) Time Dependent Cycle Waterproof Remote Arduino Microcontroller 9V Battery To finalize the design and make the device ready to be delivered to the client a housing unit will be fabricated to house the electronic components including the circuit, battery, wiring and hosing to secure device. Future research could examine the long term effects of using the Under Pressure Pad in comparison to other pressure reducing devices, and study the effectiveness of how pressure is distributed in the various sequences of inflated bladders. Pressure Sensors Solenoid Valves Pump Inflatable Bladders 12 V Battery Acknowledgements This project would not have been a success without the generous help of the Veteran Affairs hospital for funding this project. Thank you Lawrence Technological University and University of Detroit Mercy for allowing us to use your facilities to test and manufacture device. Circuit to Control Pump and Valves