Multifunctional Medical Textiles for wound (e.g. Decubitus) prevention and improved wound healing

Project Budget 9,013.000 Euros

The LIDWINE project focuses on the development of multifunctional medical textiles to prevent and treat decubitus wounds. LIDWINE focus thus for a specific application which is the aim of the IP-SME instrument. Decubitus has a huge socio-economic impact on the European society. These multifunctional and smart medical textiles have a great positive effect on the quality of life of the population at risk (reducing pain, shorter time window of illness, increasing mobility and independency). The technologies developed will have an impact also outside the medical applications: nanotechnology for the inorganic and organic chemical chemistry, biotechnology, controlled release and encapsulation methods for substance delivery, massage and electro stimulation.

Breakthroughs in prevention of decubitus will be achieved by the following 4 pathways:

- stimulating of the blood circulation at Decubitus risked skin areas (two approaches: 1. massage by cuff based on special elastomeric piezo-electric polymers 2. direct stimulation of muscles by electropulsin.),

- reducing the friction between skin and textile (advanced textile surface treatments at nanoscale),

- keeping the skin dry (advanced surface treatment and careful design of absorption/transportation of liquids in the textile)

- preventing bacterial infection (by inserting functionalized nanoparticles).

Adequate moisture management and smart anti-bacterial textiles including controlled drug delivery systems will also be integrated in order to stimulate the wound healing processes.