Prophylactic device retention systems for infants suffering from Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB)
EB represents one of a group of inherited diseases, each presenting with fragile epithelial tissues, at particular risk of device-related injury.
Airway management coupled with devices such as masks, oro- or nasopharangeal airway insertion, also damage skin, lips, tongues and mucous membranes. Nutritional status is affected and trauma to nasal passages must be avoided with nasalgastric tubes. Current equipment and retention tapes can cause pain and skin damage.
The network will examine features of EB skin affected by the device and its attachment, the microclimate and the sources of mechanical loading, its positioning. Expertise will be drawn from clothing designs, innovative materials, 3D imaging of skin deformation and body shape and 3D printing, to identify materials, designs and manufacture of affordable device attachment systems.
Pre-clinical analysis of materials will be conducted in terms of fluid and moisture management and impact on the skin, coupled to surrogate tests of designs. This approach can be translated to others with fragile skin e.g. adults with acquired EB, with stoma and with extensive burns injuries.
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