Knulst Arjan J, Berger Salome, van den Boom Jorijn, Bosch Inge, Nicolai Noa, Maharjan Suraj, Raaijmakers Eileen, Tsai Chang-Lung, van de Weerd Lisa, Dankelman Jenny, Diehl Jan-Carel
Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands.
Biomedical Engineering Department, Green Pastures Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, International Nepal Fellowship, Pokhara, Nepal.
HardwareX. 2024 Dec 20;21:e00620. doi: 10.1016/j.ohx.2024.e00620. eCollection 2025 Mar.
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is a treatment that promotes healing of chronic wounds. Despite high prevalence of chronic wounds in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), NPWT devices are not available nor affordable. This study aims to improve chronic wound care in LMICs by presenting the Wound Care (WOCA) system, designed for building, testing and use in LMICs. Design requirements were formulated using input from literature, ISO standards, and wound care experts. The WOCA design was developed to provide safe, portable, user-friendly and affordable NPWT to patients in LMICs. The design features an adjustable operating pressure ranging from -75 to -125 mmHg, a battery for portability, a 300 ml canister, overflow protection, and system state alarms. An Arduino controls the pressure and monitors the system state. Three prototypes were developed and built in Nepal, and their performance was evaluated. Pressure control was 125 ± 10 % mmHg, internal leakage was 7.5 ± 4.3 mmHg/min, reserve capacity was 189 ± 16.9 ml/min, and overflow protection and alarm systems were effectively working. Prototype cost was approximately 280 USD. The WOCA demonstrates to be a locally producible NPWT device that can safely generate a stable vacuum. Future research will include clinical trials situated in LMICs.
负压伤口治疗(NPWT)是一种促进慢性伤口愈合的治疗方法。尽管中低收入国家(LMICs)慢性伤口的患病率很高,但NPWT设备既不可用也负担不起。本研究旨在通过介绍伤口护理(WOCA)系统来改善中低收入国家的慢性伤口护理,该系统专为在中低收入国家构建、测试和使用而设计。设计要求是根据文献、ISO标准和伤口护理专家的意见制定的。WOCA的设计旨在为中低收入国家的患者提供安全、便携、用户友好且价格合理的NPWT。该设计的特点是操作压力可调,范围为-75至-125 mmHg,有便于携带的电池,300毫升的罐体,溢流保护和系统状态警报。一个Arduino控制器控制压力并监测系统状态。在尼泊尔开发并制造了三个原型,并对其性能进行了评估。压力控制为125±10% mmHg,内部泄漏为7.5±4.3 mmHg/分钟,储备容量为189±16.9毫升/分钟,溢流保护和警报系统有效运行。原型成本约为280美元。WOCA证明是一种可在当地生产的NPWT设备,能够安全地产生稳定的真空。未来的研究将包括在中低收入国家进行的临床试验。