Pressure sores prevention sensor

2022: Release of the sensor from the development of pressure ulcers

In mid-August 2022, specialists from the University of South Australia presented an optical sensor that can protect bedridden patients from developing pressure ulcers. A device made of thin optical fiber, part of which is also mounted in the surface of the mattress of the bed.

According to the New Atlas edition, patients who remain in bed for a long period of time may develop pressure sores, which, in turn, can become potentially life-threatening chronic skin ulcers. A new sensor could help prevent this by using scattered light.

The patient simply lies on these fibers, which is a less intrusive setup than existing patient condition monitoring devices that need to be worn on the body, and which creates fewer privacy problems than the August 2022 monitoring camera systems used, the patient condition.

The subject lies on a mattress equipped with sensors

Skin testing should be a routine part of the nursing care process, both at home and in hospital. Experts advise that you always invite a doctor to examine the patient if a relative suspects a bed soreness. Pressure sores are injuries to the skin and underlying tissues that occur due to prolonged tissue compression. Most often, pressure sores occur in those areas of the skin that are located above the bone protrusions: knees, elbows, hips, buttocks, sacrum.

Light enters each fiber at one end and exits the other. By analyzing how this light affects the passage through the fiber, which changes under the influence of the patient's movements, it is possible to determine whether this person has not moved for too long. This effect is due to optical interference, which is very similar to the speckle pattern that the user sees when he shines a laser pointer on the wall. When the optical fiber physically changes, such as bending or stretching, this speckle changes quite rapidly and can therefore be used as a sensor. Moreover, it is also possible to track a patient's pulse and breathing rate, as they themselves produce small but noticeable body movements.

The developers hope that after further development, the technology can be used to warn nurses about patients who have been in the same position for too long and need to be turned over. Sensors can also warn of worsening vital signs without requiring patients to be connected to electrodes, cuffs or ventilators.^[1]

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