710014Next Generation Pressure Sensor for Leg Ulcer TreatmentClosedGRD Proof of ConceptInnovate UKLeg ulcers are a common, chronic, recurring condition and a major cause of morbidity, pain and health service cost. More than 600,000 people within the UK suffer from leg ulcers at any one time, with prevalence increasing with age. Leg ulceration is most commonly caused by venous hypertension resulting from valvular incompetence in the superficial, deep, or perforating veins. Sustained venous hypertension causes swelling, restricted blood flow and damage to the skin and other tissues. Most ulcers are associated with venous disease, but other contributing factors include immobility, obesity, trauma, arterial disease and diabetes. The management of leg ulcers represents a significant clinical challenge and a major drain on financial resources. In the UK, the treatment of venous leg ulceration represents a total cost to the NHS of nearly £600m a year. Much of this cost is accounted for by community nursing services with district nurses spending up to half of their time caring for ulcer patients. The personal cost to each individual with ulceration, is however un-measurable. Compression is the standard therapy for the treatment of venous leg ulcers. Sustained graduated compression controls oedema and supports venous blood flow back to the heart. The most effective level of compression to overcome venous hypertension has been determined to be around 40 mm Hg at the ankle and 15 mm Hg below the knee. Of the range of bandages currently used for leg ulcer treatment, multiple layer compression bandages specifically designed to produce predetermined levels of compression are classified as the best current solution. Despite such measures, surveys of reported practice of leg ulcer care have demonstrated that practice often falls short of that which is ideal with much related to the training and experience of the practitioner. A study delivered by 3M (Schuren & Mohr 2008) involving the application of 744 compression bandages indicated that sufficient graduated compression was observed in only 53 applications (92% failure). In addition to patient discomfort, poor management of leg ulcers increases healing time and accelerates re-ulceration rates, leading to additional costs in treatment. Through the current project, SFH aim to address the need for improved accuracy in compression therapy. Their unique ‘pressure sensor’ technology (patent applied for) will enable the optimum levels of graduated compression to be reached with 100% accuracy, thereby increasing rates of healing and improving recuperation. The technology will enable qualified, but non-specialist nursing staff to apply appropriate levels of compression and by minimising the time taken to apply bandaging, will allow for cost reductions and greater patient throughput. The project aims to develop a basic prototype of the technology demonstrating the technical feasibility of the approach. If successful, further prototyping will ensue with market entry within 18 months.