Tissue Health
The APT Center conducts research in a variety of different areas. The success of these studies is dependent upon volunteers who work with our investigators to test technology and determine its validity. If you are interested in volunteering as a tissue health participant, please see the studies below for our currently available opportunities.
Open studies:
exciflex: Electrotherapy Bandage for Chronic Wound Therapy
Chronic ischemic wounds fail to heal and are a major challenge in the long-term care of many Veterans. Secondary complications are among the most common causes of morbidity in the VHA population due to higher rates of Veterans with chronic disease who also face increasing risk as they age.
Currently, electrical stimulation (E-stim) is administered in a clinical setting via daily sessions, incurring significant cost and requiring frequent dressing changes, which disturbs, dries and cools the wound bed, disrupting the formation of delicate granulation tissue. The exciflex bandage is an innovative, flexible, electronic bandage that provides surface stimulation. Exciflex can improve outcomes and lower cost by automatically delivering therapeutic e-stim without disturbing the wound bed.
Participant Requirements
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must be a Veteran with a spinal cord injury or a Veteran being seen by Cleveland VAMC wound care service for chronic ischemic lower extremity wounds
Contact info@aptcenter.org if you are interested in getting involved!
FootSafe: Smart Foot Position Sensor to Prevent Power Wheelchair User Foot and Leg Injuries
Power wheelchairs provide mobility independence and improved quality of life for individuals with sensorimotor impairments, such as spinal cord injury/disorders (SCI/D). Typical activities such as driving over rough terrain or up a steep incline in a power wheelchair, can cause inadvertent lower extremity displacement (ILED) from the wheelchair footplates for Veterans with impaired position sense and motor control due to SCI. Thus, when the feet or lower limbs are mispositioned on the wheelchair foot plate, injuries can occur due to pressure points, the foot dragging or colliding with obstacles. Injury incidence from wheelchair use is poorly documented, but associated medical costs can be high.
This project will contribute to maintaining community and vocational activities and overall quality of life for our Veterans with SCI/D. Preserving community integration decreases lost wages, improves productivity, and reduces community home care costs. Additionally, detection of ILED, and prevention of ILED-related foot and lower limb injuries and pressure injuries will reduce short-term costs for interventions and avoid long-term care costs for those unable to return to the home setting.
Participant Requirements
- Must be 18 years or older
- Must be one of the following:
- A Veteran with SCI/D (spinal cord injury/disorders) that uses a power wheelchair OR
- A Veteran without SCI/D that uses a power wheelchair OR
- A caregiver/family member of a Veteran with SCI that uses a power wheelchair OR
- A seating specialist clinician that fits Veterans for power wheelchairs
Contact info@aptcenter.org if you are interested in getting involved!
