Award-winning sheet
Bedsores, or pressure sores, are a serious problem in health
care. During long periods of immobility, blood circulation in the skindecreases
due to moisture as well as pressure and shear forces. The accumulation of toxic
substances and the lack of oxygen cause damage to the skin, resulting in sores
that are difficult to treat and, in the worst case, can even be
life-threatening. Although there are known methods forpreventing bedsores,
these are either very expensive or not (yet) effective enough.
A joint project by Empa, their industrial partner Schoeller
Medical and the Swiss Paraplegic Centre focused on a method of bedsore
prevention that was impressive in its simplicity: a sheet with a particularly
skin-friendly surface. The special "dot matrix structure" of the
fabric reduces pressure and friction and conducts the moisture away from the
skin. Following laboratory tests and clinical trials, the clever sheet is
currently undergoing final testing before its market launch, which is due to
take place this year. It is now gaining international recognition.