- Home monitoring system for wound healing
The treatment of hard-to-heal wounds benefits most from an optimal combination of clinical care and home care. However, home care does not yet play a major role. The lack of automated wound monitoring technology forces patients to visit the hospital frequently, which is inconvenient and costly. In this project, the researchers aim to develop an electronic monitoring system that indicates the wound type and monitors the healing process using computer imaging. A system that can be used at home in the future by patients and family members. The project brings together knowledge on smart technology, applied mathematics and computer perception. Students from the VU and the UT will work on different aspects of the project. From computer and design engineering to the development of rapid prototypes. The project started in September 2023, the prototype will be tested in different hospitals.
Research title
‘An automated wound care monitoring system using prototyping open-source electronics’
Researchers involved
Pep Canyelles Pericas
Sanjai BhulaiInformation
Pep Canyelles Pericas, j.canyellespericas@utwente.nl
- Bone fractures healed on a chip
In some 17500 bone fractures a year, the bone heals too slowly or inadequately. This is called a 'non-union' that generally requires surgical treatment. In this process, the surgeon removes the soft tissue and fixes the bone parts. However, this treatment does not always lead to complete healing. Research into healing processes and new treatment strategies are therefore very important. In 2022, research groups from the VU and the UT started the VUTURE consortium to develop a model system that mimics a bone fracture and a non-union on a chip. This will allow the researchers to study mechanisms of bone regeneration after bone fracture and test potential therapies. The model consists of two bone fragments with the defect in the centre and a membrane above it. In the model, the environment is modified to determine how this affects the healing of the fracture. The project will be integrated into the various curricula of both universities and provide internships for both bachelor and master students.
Research title
‘Broken Bone Repair Model v2.0 - MATRIX RELOADED’
Researchers involved
Nathalie Bravenboer
Liliana Moreira Teixeira LeijtenInformation
Nathalie Bravenboer, n.bravenboer@amsterdamumc.nl
- Knowledge development on human tissues
The aim of this project is to understand human tissue properties as one of the essential needs in research and education. Both within medical and engineering disciplines. Property data and reports include limited statistical parameters but no location- or function-dependent parameters. The researchers aim to develop a new teaching module that uses manual measurements on human tissues. This will improve the learning experience while at the same time collecting high-quality data for an open database. In the module, students from the VU and the UT can experience what human tissue looks and feels like, perform experiments, process data, do (bio)statistics and report according to research standards. All this will lead to more accurate computer simulations and fewer animal studies.
Research title
‘Experimental Tissue Characterization: cutting edge tool for science and education.’
Researchers involved
Izadyar Tamadon
Gabriëlle Tuijthof
Michel van den Bekerom
Michael van EmdenInformation
Izadyar Tamadon, i.tamadon@utwente.nl