The WOCA negative pressure wound therapy device designed for low resource settings
Arjan J. Knulst,
Salome Berger,
Jorijn van den Boom,
Inge Bosch,
Noa Nicolai,
Suraj Maharjan,
Eileen Raaijmakers,
Chang-Lung Tsai,
Lisa van de Weerd,
Jenny Dankelman,
Jan-Carel Diehl
Affiliations
Arjan J. Knulst
Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands; Biomedical Engineering Department, Green Pastures Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, International Nepal Fellowship, Pokhara, Nepal; Corresponding author at: Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands.
Salome Berger
Shining Hospital Surkhet, International Nepal Fellowship, Birendranagar, Nepal
Jorijn van den Boom
Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
Inge Bosch
Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
Noa Nicolai
Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
Suraj Maharjan
Reconstructive Surgery Department, Green Pastures Hospital and Rehabilitation Center, International Nepal Fellowship, Pokhara, Nepal
Eileen Raaijmakers
Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
Chang-Lung Tsai
Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
Lisa van de Weerd
Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
Jenny Dankelman
Department of Biomechanical Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
Jan-Carel Diehl
Industrial Design Engineering, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the Netherlands
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) is a treatment that promotes healing of chronic wounds. Despite high prevalence of chronic wounds in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), NPWT devices are not available nor affordable. This study aims to improve chronic wound care in LMICs by presenting the Wound Care (WOCA) system, designed for building, testing and use in LMICs. Design requirements were formulated using input from literature, ISO standards, and wound care experts. The WOCA design was developed to provide safe, portable, user-friendly and affordable NPWT to patients in LMICs. The design features an adjustable operating pressure ranging from −75 to −125 mmHg, a battery for portability, a 300 ml canister, overflow protection, and system state alarms. An Arduino controls the pressure and monitors the system state. Three prototypes were developed and built in Nepal, and their performance was evaluated. Pressure control was 125 ± 10 % mmHg, internal leakage was 7.5 ± 4.3 mmHg/min, reserve capacity was 189 ± 16.9 ml/min, and overflow protection and alarm systems were effectively working. Prototype cost was approximately 280 USD. The WOCA demonstrates to be a locally producible NPWT device that can safely generate a stable vacuum. Future research will include clinical trials situated in LMICs.
