WISE WOUNDS

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Due to an aging population and the rise of conditions such as diabetes and vascular diseases, the number of chronic wounds is increasing rapidly. This poses a complex problem with significant medical and economic consequences.

Within this four-year project (funded by UHasselt BOF Grant), UHasselt aims to provide a solution by developing a smart wound dressing. The project combines the expertise of engineers, biomedics, mathematicians and nurses to anchor the development process within a truly multidisciplinary framework.

RESEARCH PILLARS

The project is structured around four closely collaborating PhD tracks:

1. Sensor engineering

This PhD focuses on the hardware development of the smart wound dressing.

• Objective: developing a flexible and stretchable sensor that simultaneously measures temperature and captures a 3D image of the wound.

• Technology: advanced screen printing techniques are used as the manufacturing process to seamlessly integrate the sensors into the dressing material.

2. Sensor validation

Before the technology can be used on patients, its safety and reliability must be thoroughly proven.

• In vitro testing: The sensors are first tested on laboratory-created wounds

• In vivo testing: Next, the sensor is tested on mice models to evaluate biocompatibility and functionality within a living organism

3. AI and twin model

This track consists of two main components:

• Converting the physical sensor results into a digital simulation. Using mathematical methods (where a distance function determines the deviation between simulation and experiment), the model can predict future wound progression.

• AI Image Recognition: Developing an AI model that analyzes photos of wounds and automatically detects the wound boundaries. Based on historical wound treatment data, this model provides decision support for healthcare professionals who need extra expertise.

4. Clinical Application

Technology is only effective if it aligns seamlessly with the daily practice of healthcare professionals.

• Objective: Mapping out the clinical reasoning of nurses during complex wound care ("How do we reason with new technology?").

• Co-creation: Together with relevant stakeholders, these insights are translated into a concrete prototype of the smart dressing combined with AI support.

• Evaluation: The prototype and the clinical workflow will be extensively evaluated via a simulated pilot study.

PARTNERS

This project is a collaborative effort between IUMAT, DSI, UHasselt, BIOMED and Think3.