True Performance Testing of Products

Prevention of Decubiti is a function of the patient's condition, the care given and the beddingon which the patient lies. To make a sound decision on the use of specific bedding, accurate informationon contact pressure, shear, friction, and blood flow with that product is needed. To address thisconcern, the overall goals for the research are to: determine the most accurate and reproduciblepressure-measuring instruments for each pressure site; develop instrumentation to accurately measureshear; and, incorporate friction and blood flow measurement methods into the evaluation profile. Thespecific aims of this proposed Phase I research are to: (1) design calibration models and calibration testprotocols for pressure-measuring instrumentation. This will be accomplished through feasibility analysisand design of calibration models and protocols; and, (2) determine the feasibility of instrumentation forshear measurement. This will be accomplished with feasibility screens, ranking and evaluations. Theinstruments and procedures developed in this program will be of significant commercial benefit in thedesign, development and qualification of effective bedding and covering materials. The innovativefeatures of this program are true shear measurement, true pressure measurement for beds and anintegrated system for completely characterizing devices used for the prevention of decubiti.