Addressing Pressure Injury Disparities in Persons with Darkly Pigmented Skin Using Dynamic Tissue Simulations

Project Summary/Abstract The proposed project focuses on creating a high-fidelity, interactive Pressure Injury (PI) simulation product to address assessment and treatment disparities of patients with darkly pigmented skin. Significance: Millions of Americans develop pressure injuries (PIs) each year. PIs cause serious morbidity and excess mortality. Significant disparities exist as patients with darkly pigmented skin have higher rates of high-stage PIs and a higher mortality from the wounds. In patients with darkly pigmented skin, identifying developing PIs is nuanced and challenging leading to them being detected at later stages. Solution: Our proposed product innovatively leverages recent material advances in 3D Anatomy Printing to comprehensively allow for adjustable skin tones and representations of all Stages of PI wounds and variations. With our product, students will learn variations and nuances that occur across skin pigmentation types and how to identify the early development of a PI on darkly pigmented skin without any visual indications. Specific Aims: In Phase I the following aims are proposed: 1) Consult with expert advisory panel and perform a final evaluation, 2) Prototype and produce mannequin materials/mechanical design, and 3) Develop simulation electronics and functionality.