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H2020Doctoral network2019–2023

STINTS · Skin Tissue INTegrity under Shear

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2019-01-01 → 2023-06-30
EU contribution
€3,635,760
Participants
16
Scheme
MSCA-ITN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Skin Tissue INTegrity under Shear

The core of the STINTS consortium is a cohort of 13 early-stage researchers (ESRs) and their supervisors that are based in 6 academic and 2 private sector institutions. The wider STINTS network also includes staff from 9 partner organisations. The ultimate goal of the project is to reduce the huge societal impact and subsequent financial costs associated with skin damage caused by bodily contacts with other surfaces. The scope of the damage considered includes mild skin irritation, pressure injuries and pressure ulcers (PUs). This goal is being addressed by work directed towards 5 Research Objectives (ROs) and 6 Training Objectives (TOs). Research Objectives RO1: Further the understanding of the aetiology of pressure ulcers (PUs). RO2: Identify patients at risk of compromised skin integrity. RO3: Improve the design of support surfaces, medical devices such as masks and treatments. RO4: Disseminate research findings. RO5: Influence public health policy and regulators. Training Objectives TO1 - Provide innovative structured training. TO2 - Provide inter-sectoral secondments and collaborations. TO3 - Provide unique training in private sector skills such as entrepreneurship. TO4 - Provide unique training in outreach, dissemination, public engagement, and policy development. TO5 - Create an active, long-term network of young researchers. TO6 - Spread excellent research and training practice throughout Europe. Conclusions at end of the project: * Excellent progress was made towards all ROs with a wide dissemination of results. * TOs were generally met, despite disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with 9 of the ESRs having already obtained their doctoral degrees.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

The mechanical, chemical and biological properties of human skin may be challenged when in contact with another surface e.g. immobilized persons supported on a bed or in a wheelchair, amputees wearing a prosthesis, and individuals with orthoses or functional medical devices attached to the skin. This can result pressure ulcers, particularly in the elderly and those with comorbidities such as diabetes. Skin condition is also critical during interactions with personal care products such as creams, shavers, grooming devices, therapeutic lamps or massage equipment, which can result in various forms of irritation. The main scientific aim of STINTS is to understand the complex biomechanical and biochemical pathways leading to loss of skin integrity, following the exposure of the skin to prolonged pressure and shear forces that ultimately result in damage at the cellular level. The objective is to reduce the huge societal and financial costs of pressure ulcers by improving (a) the design of more effective preventative aids (mattresses, shoe insoles, incontinence products etc.), (b) early stage diagnosis (non-invasive biomarkers and sensors, and smart materials) and (c) ultrasound therapy. The new understanding of skin behaviour will also be exploited by application to personal care products (razors that cause minimal skin irritation and skin creams with more efficacious skin hydration and barrier properties). These objectives will be achieved by the deployment of experts in multi-scale computer simulation, experimental cellular and tissue biomechanics, biophysical monitoring, sensor design, medical devices and materials, and clinical studies. STINTS will create an ambitious environment of supradisciplinary inter-sectoral research training for early stage researchers that combines the needs for the creative skills of academic and industrial researchers, the entrepreneurial drive of the private sector and clinical innovation.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

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Data: CORDIS, © European Union