Pressure Ulcer Research at TU/e

Problem definition

Pressure ulcers (Medical term: decubitus) are localized areas of tissue breakdown in skin and/or underlying tissues as a result of a sustained mechanical loading. They can occur in all situations where people are subjected to such sustained mechanical loads, but are particularly common in subjects who are bedridden or wheelchair bound. In theory pressure ulcers are avoidable if effective preventive measures are adopted, when early signs of damage risk are indicated. However, these measures are expensive and labour intensive and therefore should be matched to the level of individual risk. Especially deep pressure ulcers are hard to detect because they start in deep tissues.

Objectives of the Pressure Ulcer program at TU/e

To obtain a basic understanding of the aetiology of pressure ulcers.
To develop a monitoring system, for early detection of pressure ulcers.
To develop a monitoring system to identify patients at risk.

Approach

A multi-scale approach is adopted, ranging from studies on cultured cells, tissue engineered constructs of muscle and skin to in-vivo animal studies and human studies. Theoretical models include convective and diffusive transport processes in deforming structures and interaction with growth, synthesis and damage development.

Scientific staff involved in the pressure ulcer working group

Cees Oomens Project coordination / biomechanics /
Dan Bader Project coordination / patient monitoring / experimental physics
Carlijn Bouten Tissue engineering
Frank Baaijens Computational biomechanics
Klaas Nicolay Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Gustav Strijkers Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Post Docs

Anke Stekelenburg In-vivo damage development in skeletal muscle

Ph-D students

Marion Geerligs Mechanical properties of skin and subcutis
Sandra Loerakker Early detection of deep tissue injury

Scientific staff involved in the pressure ulcer working group
Cees Oomens	Project coordination / biomechanics /
Dan Bader	Project coordination / patient monitoring / experimental physics
Carlijn Bouten	Tissue engineering
Frank Baaijens	Computational biomechanics
Klaas Nicolay	Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Gustav Strijkers	Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Post Docs
Anke Stekelenburg	In-vivo damage development in skeletal muscle
Ph-D students
Marion Geerligs	Mechanical properties of skin and subcutis
Sandra Loerakker	Early detection of deep tissue injury

For a list of refereed publications on pressure ulcer related subjects from the group click here.

For a list of PhD-theses from the group related to pressure ulcers click here.