Smart Mattress Tested in Healthcare – Aiming to Prevent Pressure Ulcers

- This project brings a whole new dimension to technological development – If our research can help prevent pressure ulcers and improve people's well-being, it feels incredibly important, says Johan Sidén, researcher and project leader. 

Pressure Ulcers – A Major Issue in Healthcare

Pressure ulcers cost healthcare systems billions every year, not to mention the severe suffering experienced by tens of thousands of patients, primarily in elderly and inpatient care. Through the use of pressure-sensing mattresses, the IoT Pressure research project aims to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers, and now the first mattresses have been tested in a healthcare setting.

- It's exciting to be part of the testing and to evaluate new technology that can provide significant benefits in healthcare. Most importantly, it can reduce patient suffering, says Sara Englund, unit manager at Sundsvall's  short-term care facility 1.

Research and Collaboration Behind the Technology

The IoT Pressure research project started two years ago and is now entering its final phase. The project involves collaboration between researchers from Mid Sweden University, healthcare staff from the municipalities of Sundsvall and Örnsköldsvik, RISE, and mattress manufacturer Järven Healthcare.

- We have been involved throughout the entire project and have provided input on what is crucial for this technology to work in practice, says Sara Englund.

A mobile application allows staff to see how much pressure the mattresses are loaded with when the care recipient is lying in their bed. 

How the Pressure-sensing Mattress Works

The mattress prototype being tested is equipped with about one thousand laminated pressure sensors, each measuring pressure over time. The pressure distribution is compared to documented medical studies that indicate when the risk of pressure ulcers begins to increase. A mobile application allows healthcare staff to monitor the pressure distribution in real time and receive alerts if prolonged pressure indicates a risk, enabling immediate intervention.

The first pressure-sensing mattresses have now been tested by staff and patients in care facilities in Sundsvall and Örnsköldsvik, and the initial results are very positive.

- The information provided by the municipalities is invaluable. It is essential that the technology we develop is easy to use and helps simplify the daily work of healthcare staff. Additionally, the technology must remain cost-effective to ensure that as many municipalities as possible can afford to implement it in the future, says Johan Sidén.

Future Development – AI Could Create Personalized Care Plans

Once the testing phase is completed, the results will be evaluated and reported as part of the IoT Pressure project. These findings will serve as the foundation for further development.

- During this project, we have moved from an idea to testing a prototype in a real-world setting. Our ultimate goal is to bring this to market as a commercial product, and our collaboration with Järven Healthcare, which manufactures medical mattresses, is crucial for that, says Johan Sidén.

In the next phase, researchers aim to integrate AI models to further enhance the mattress’s capabilities.

- AI models could improve the accuracy and speed of identifying patients at increased risk of pressure ulcers and potentially suggest personalized turning schedules to enhance quality of life, he explains.

About the Project and its Funding

The project Pressure – IoT to Reduce Pressure Ulcer Injuries is funded with support from IoT Sweden, Vinnova, Formas, and the Swedish Energy Agency. The project is coordinated by Pro&Pro, with participants including Mid Sweden University, the municipalities of Sundsvall and Örnsköldsvik, Järven Healthcare, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, and Bron Innovation.

Read more on www.miun.se/pressure