Project description
Research training network on mechanisms of skin damage under shear forces
The mechanical and biological properties of human skin may be affected in persons immobilised on a bed or in a wheelchair, in amputees wearing a prosthesis, or in cases where medical devices are attached to the skin. These situations can result in pressure ulcers, particularly in the elderly and in diabetics. Moreover, the skin is sensitive to the various personal care products used in daily life, resulting in various forms of irritation. Funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the STINTS project will create a network of highly specialised researchers who will investigate the biomechanical and biochemical events leading to loss of skin integrity during skin exposure to prolonged pressure and shear forces. The aim is to minimise the significant impacts of debilitating skin conditions such as pressure ulcers on healthcare systems and patients’ quality of life.
Objective
The mechanical, chemical and biological properties of human skin may be challenged when in contact with another surface e.g. immobilized persons supported on a bed or in a wheelchair, amputees wearing a prosthesis, and individuals with orthoses or functional medical devices attached to the skin. This can result pressure ulcers, particularly in the elderly and those with comorbidities such as diabetes. Skin condition is also critical during interactions with personal care products such as creams, shavers, grooming devices, therapeutic lamps or massage equipment, which can result in various forms of irritation. The main scientific aim of STINTS is to understand the complex biomechanical and biochemical pathways leading to loss of skin integrity, following the exposure of the skin to prolonged pressure and shear forces that ultimately result in damage at the cellular level. The objective is to reduce the huge societal and financial costs of pressure ulcers by improving (a) the design of more effective preventative aids (mattresses, shoe insoles, incontinence products etc.), (b) early stage diagnosis (non-invasive biomarkers and sensors, and smart materials) and (c) ultrasound therapy. The new understanding of skin behaviour will also be exploited by application to personal care products (razors that cause minimal skin irritation and skin creams with more efficacious skin hydration and barrier properties). These objectives will be achieved by the deployment of experts in multi-scale computer simulation, experimental cellular and tissue biomechanics, biophysical monitoring, sensor design, medical devices and materials, and clinical studies. STINTS will create an ambitious environment of supradisciplinary inter-sectoral research training for early stage researchers that combines the needs for the creative skills of academic and industrial researchers, the entrepreneurial drive of the private sector and clinical innovation.
Fields of science
- medical and health sciencesclinical medicineendocrinologydiabetes
- medical and health scienceshealth sciencesinfectious diseasesRNA virusesHIV
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensors
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologyimplants
- natural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical model
Keywords
Programme(s)
Coordinator
B15 2TT Birmingham
United Kingdom