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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. Market/Stakeholder Analysis
2.5 million people in the US develop pressure ulcers annually
Hospitalizations related to pressure ulcers increased by 80% from
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 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

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

7. 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.”

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Decision Matrix

12. Sources
and-Treatment-Handouts-30-March pdf