• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.185-193
• /
• 2015

Objectives The purpose of this report is to represent decubitus ulcer(pressure sore) improved by carbon arc and oriental medicine. Methods Patients with decubitus ulcer were treated with carbon arc, acupuncture, herbal medicine and simple dressing. Laser was irradiated at ulcer site once a day for 5 hour, using cored carbon number 3000,3002. Simple dressing with wound cleansing was performed to prevent reinfection. Herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment were applied to improve patients' general condition. Ulcer sizes and aspects were carefully checked by one week. Results Sizes of the decubitus ulcer decreased. Stage of ulcer was improved from stage 3 to stage 2. These results show that carbon arc may play a role in treating the decubitus ulcer with oriental medicine.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.619-628
• /
• 2000

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge level of pressure ulcer among hospital nurses through a cross-sectional survey by using the pressure ulcer knowledge assessment tool of Beitz et al.(1998). The total of subjects was 160 voluntary participants (60 were from Hospital A and 100 were from Hospital B) working at adult patients' units in two university hospitals located in the same city. None of the hospitals had expert nurses of pressure ulcer nor provided a regular pressure ulcer education program during the past one year. The survey tool consisted of 32 true-false items which were grouped into the risk factors knowledge category(13 items), the wound assessment knowledge category(4 items), and the treatment methods knowledge category(15 items). An internal consistency reliability test of the tool yielded an overall coefficient of 0.72; the coefficient for the risk factors knowledge category was 0.40, that for the wound assessment knowledge category was 0.33; that for the treatment knowledge category was 0.54. The main findings of the study are as follows. 1) Demographic characteristics of the two hospital nurses were similar except for the educational level(p=0.029) and the work units(p=0.001). These observations were maintained even if Hospital A and B were separately compared. 2) The knowledge level of the subjects about pressure ulcer in general was low as indicated by 53.3 points(of 100 possible points) on average. The knowledge level about treatment methods of pressure ulcer was the lowest as indicated by 47.0 points on average. 3) No correlation between the knowledge level of the pressure ulcer and the demographic characteristics of nurses was found except that the knowledge level of I.C.U. nurses was significantly higher(p=0.0003) than that of nurses in other units(p=0.2926) in the case of Hospital A. 4) The knowledge level of nurses in Hospital B was higher than for nurses in Hospital A. The reason was not identified, but it seems that it is related to the role of the I.C.U. or some other factors. The study results confirmed the existing literature that knowledge level of nurses about pressure ulcer is low regardless of age, educational level, or work experience. However, the working place(unit) affected the knowledge level. Further research on the exact reason for the differences in the knowledge level is needed in the future.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2003.06a
• /
• pp.713-718
• /
• 2003

Decubitus ulcer is a pressure-induced ulceration of the skin occurring in persons confined to bed for long periods of time. In order to prevent decubitus ulcer, the medical bed mechanism to minimize pressure, friction, and shear forces acting between bed and patient had been developed. Air mattress also can be effective for reducing pressure over bony prominence. In this study, motion analysis was performed to examine whether this bed mechanism functioned properly in case of using air mattress, which was much thicker than common hospital mattress. We found that the patient on the air mattress above the medical bed for preventing decubitus ulcer slipped upward and downward excessively as the general motored-bed. New bed mechanisms were synthesized kinematically using simple 4-bar and 6-bar linkages so as to reduce sliding between the bed and the patient on the air mattress for preventing decubitus ulcer.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.151-158
• /
• 2021

The main cause of ulcer is pressure, which starts to develop when the critical body pressure (32mmHg) is exceeded, and when the critical time elapses, ulcer occurs. In this study, the keyboard mechanism of the medical bed with 4 bar links was adopted, and each key can be controlled vertically. A key has one servo drive and one sensor controller which hasseveral body pressure sensors. The sensor controllers and the servo drives are connected to the main controller by two CAN (Car Are Network) in series, respectively. By reading the maximum body pressure value of each keyboard sensor, and by calculating the error value based on the critical body pressure, the fuzzy controller moves each key so that the total error becomes zero. If the fuzzy controller fails, then it prevents ulcer by lifting and lowering the keys of the bed alternatively within a short time. Thus, the controller operates in two-stage. The validity and effectiveness of the proposed approach have been verified through experiments.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.353-359
• /
• 2020

In this study, the controller structure and control algorithm of medical robot bed developed for pressure ulcer prevention and healing are described. The existing pressure ulcer prevention mattress is operated manually and the remaining maximum body pressure exceeds the pressure of ulcer generation, so there is always room for pressure ulcers. However, the system developed in this study does not generate the pressure ulcers because the body pressure drops to zero when the keyboard of the bed descends using the active electric driving keyboard. In addition, even if the bed is raised and the pressure above the critical body ulcer pressure is abnormal, the device and the control algorithm are designed so that the lasting time is within the pressure ulcer generation critical time and the pressure ulcer itself is not generated. The bed key board motor is a motor designed with the BLDC servos suitable for medical use and these can communicate each other easily through CAN(Car Area Network). The system is new medical robot bed that is effective in preventing pressure ulcers and will be distributed to many patients suffering from pressure ulcers.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.146-157
• /
• 2024

Despite numerous air mattresses marketed to prevent Pressure Ulcers (PU), none have fully succeeded due to residual pressure surpassing critical levels. We introduces an innovative medical bed system aiming at complete PU prevention. This system employs a unique 4-bar link mechanism, moving keys up and down to manage body pressure. Each of the 17 keys integrates a sensor controller, reading pressure from 10 sensors. By regulating motor input, we maintain body pressure below critical levels. Keys are equipped with a servo drive and sensor controller, linked to the main controller via two CAN series. Using fuzzy or PI/IP controllers, we adjust keys to minimize total error, dispersing body pressure and ensuring comfort. In case of controller failure, keys alternate swiftly, preventing ulcer development. Through experimental tests under varied conditions, the fuzzy controller with tailored membership functions demonstrated swift performance. PI control showed rapid convergence, while IP control exhibited slower convergence and oscillations near zero error. Our specialized medical robot bed, incorporating 4-bar links and pressure sensors, underwent testing with three controllers-fuzzy, PI, and IP-showcasing their effectiveness in keeping body pressure below critical ulcer levels. Experimental results validate the proposed approach's efficacy, indicating potential for complete PU prevention.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2013.05a
• /
• pp.1431-1432
• /
• 2013

• Child Health Nursing Research
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.177-183
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This study was done to examine the incidence of pressure ulcers and associated factors, by inspecting the skin of newborn babies in a newborn unit or newborn intensive care unit (NICU). Methods: The participants were 101 newborn babies in either a newborn unit or NICU in D general hospital. The incidence of pressure ulcer was measured using the skin inspection tool for pressure ulcer, suggested by Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Results: Incidence rate of pressure ulcer was 19.8%, and 80% of the newborns with pressure ulcers were premature babies. The commonest region of onset was the ear (36.8%), followed by the foot (31.6%), occipital region (15.8%) and knee (15.8%). Those are the regions related to external medical devices like nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure and Pulse Oximetry. Factors related to pressure ulcers were gestational period of 37 weeks or less, hospitalization for 7 days or more, birth weight under 2,500 g and a low level of serum albumin. Conclusion: The results of the study show that the skin and underlying tissues of premature infants is at risk for pressure-related skin breakdown. As most pressure ulcers are caused by medical devices, nursing interventions are required to prevent further aggravation of the lesions.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
• /
• v.11 no.7
• /
• pp.578-586
• /
• 2005

Air mattress is now used widely to prevent the pressure ulcer by reducing the localized pressure peaks. The pressure control method based on the anthrophometric model of an air-cell mattress developed in this study is presented. The air-cell mattress has 18 cylindrical air cells made of porous material allowing air leakage. Even though the air leakage can contribute to reducing the development of pressure ulcer by lowering the pressure peak, temperature and humidity, the air pressure changes with time and the desired air-cell pressure has to be determined as an optimal value for each user. To select the desired air-cell pressure, we first divide the parts of the body into four sections such as head, trunk, hip, and leg. Then, the pressure of each section grouped with air-cells is calculated from the weight of each part estimated from the individual height and body weight. Air supply system for the air-cell mattress is implemented by using four electronic solenoid valves and an air compressor, and it is driven by a real-time microcontroller. We experimented with five subjects of the contact pressure on skin. The experimental results show that the proposed air-cell mattress is effective for the prevention of the pressure ulcer.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.275-284
• /
• 2022

Background Population aging has led to an increased incidence of pressure ulcers, resulting in a social burden and economic costs. We developed a three-dimensional knitted fabric (3-DKF) with a pressure-reducing function that can be applied topically in the early stages of pressure ulcers to prevent progression. Methods We evaluated the effects of the 3-DKF in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus pressure ulcer mouse model, and the fabric was preliminarily applied to patients. Twelve-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used for the animal experiments. In the pressure ulcer mouse model, an ischemia-reperfusion injury was created using a magnet on the dorsa of the mice. Pressure was measured with BodiTrak before and after applying the 3-DKF to 14 patients at risk of sacral pressure ulcers. Results In the 3-DKF-applied mice group, the ulcers were shallower and smaller than those in the control group. Compared with the mice in the control group, the 3-DKF group had lower platelet-derived growth factor-α and neutrophil elastase expression, as parameters related to inflammation, and increased levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, TGF-β3, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and α-smooth muscle actin, which are related to growth factors and proliferation. Additionally, typical normal tissue staining patterns were observed in the 3-DKF group. In the preliminary clinical analysis, the average skin pressure was 26.2 mm Hg before applying the 3-DKF, but it decreased to an average of 23.4 mm Hg after 3-DKF application. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the newly developed 3-DKF was effective in preventing pressure ulcers through testing in a pressure ulcer animal model and preliminary clinical application.