title: TexiCare: an innovative embedded device for pressure ulcer prevention. Preliminary results with a paraplegic volunteer.
abstract: This paper introduces the recently developed TexiCare device that aims at preventing pressure ulcers for people with spinal cord injury. This embedded device is aimed to be mounted on the user wheelchair. Its sensor is 100% textile and allows the measurement of pressures at the interface between the cushion and the buttocks. It is comfortable, washable and low cost. It is connected to a cigarette-box sized unit that (i) measures the pressures in real time, (ii) estimates the risk for internal over-strains, and (iii) alerts the wheelchair user whenever necessary. The alert method has been defined as a result of a utility/usability/acceptability study conducted with representative end users. It is based on a tactile-visual feedback (via a watch or a smartphone for example): the tactile modality is used to discreetly alarm the person while the visual modality conveys an informative message. In order to evaluate the usability of the TexiCare device, a paraplegic volunteer equipped his wheelchair at home during a six months period. Interestingly, the first results revealed bad habits such as an inadequate posture when watching TV, rare relief maneuvers, and the occurrence of abnormal high pressures.
authors.affiliation: TexiSense Company, Montceau-les-Mines F-71300, France.
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Chenu
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vuillerme
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bucki
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Diot
authors.forename: Francis
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cannard
authors.forename: Yohan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Payan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000150:complications*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011312:Pressure; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013784:Textiles; D014838:Volunteers; D014910:Wheelchairs
keywords: Deep tissue injury; Pressure ulcer; Prevention; Smart textile