Leandro R. Solis

Intermittent electrical stimulation redistributes pressure and promotes tissue oxygenation in loaded muscles of individuals with spinal cord injury

Deep tissue injury (DTI) is a severe form of pressure ulcer that originates at the bone-muscle interface. It results from mechanical damage and ischemic injury due to unrelieved pressure. Currently, there are no established clinical methods to detect the formation of DTI. Moreover, despite the many recommended methods for preventing pressure ulcers, none so far has significantly reduced the incidence of DTI. The goal of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a new electrical stimulation-based intervention, termed intermittent electrical stimulation (IES), in ameliorating the factors leading to DTI in individuals with compromised mobility and sensation. Specifically, we sought to determine whether IES-induced contractions in the gluteal muscles can 1) reduce pressure in tissue surrounding bony prominences susceptible to the development of DTI and 2) increase oxygenation in deep tissue. Experiments were conducted in individuals with spinal cord injury, and two paradigms of IES were utilized to induce contractions in the gluteus maximus muscles of the seated participants. Changes in surface pressure around the ischial tuberosities were assessed using a pressure-sensing mattress, and changes in deep tissue oxygenation were indirectly assessed using T₂*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. Both IES paradigms significantly reduced pressure around the bony prominences in the buttocks by an average of 10-26% (P < 0.05). Furthermore, both IES paradigms induced significant increases in T₂* signal intensity (SI), indicating significant increases in tissue oxygenation, which were sustained for the duration of each 10-min trial (P < 0.05). Maximal increases in SI ranged from 2-3.3% (arbitrary units). Direct measurements of oxygenation in adult rats revealed that IES produces up to a 100% increase in tissue oxygenation. The results suggest that IES directly targets factors contributing to the development of DTI in people with reduced mobility and sensation and may therefore be an effective method for the prevention of deep pressure ulcers.

Effects of Intermittent Electrical Stimulation on Superficial Pressure, Tissue Oxygenation, and Discomfort Levels for the Prevention of Deep Tissue Injury

The overall goal of this project is to develop effective methods for the prevention of deep tissue injury (DTI). DTI is a severe type of pressure ulcer that originates at deep bone–muscle interfaces as a result of the prolonged compression of tissue. It afflicts individuals with reduced mobility and sensation, particularly those with spinal cord injury. We previously proposed using a novel electrical stimulation paradigm called intermittent electrical stimulation (IES) for the prophylactic prevention of DTI. IES-induced contractions mimic the natural repositioning performed by intact individuals, who subconsciously reposition themselves as a result of discomfort due to prolonged sitting. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of various IES paradigms in reducing pressure around the ischial tuberosities, increasing tissue oxygenation throughout the gluteus muscles, and reducing sitting discomfort in able-bodied volunteers. The results were compared to the effects of voluntary muscle contractions and conventional pressure relief maneuvers (wheelchair push-ups). IES significantly reduced pressure around the tuberosities, produced significant and long-lasting elevations in tissue oxygenation, and significantly reduced discomfort produced by prolonged sitting. IES performed as well or better than both voluntary contractions and chair push-ups. The results suggest that IES may be an effective means for the prevention of DTI.

How does muscle stiffness affect the internal deformations within the soft tissue layers of the buttocks under constant loading

Mechanical loading of soft tissues covering bony prominences can cause skeletal muscle damage, ultimately resulting in a severe pressure ulcer termed deep tissue injury (DTI). Deformation plays an important role in the aetiology of DTI. Therefore, it is essential to minimise internal muscle deformations in subjects at risk of DTI. As an example, spinal cord-injured (SCI) individuals exhibit structural changes leading to a decrease in muscle thickness and stiffness, which subsequently increase the tissue deformations. In the present study, an animal-specific finite element model, where the geometry and boundary conditions were derived from magnetic resonance images, was developed. It was used to investigate the internal deformations in the muscle, fat and skin layers of the porcine buttocks during loading. The model indicated the presence of large deformations in both the muscle and the fat layers, with maximum shear strains up to 0.65 in muscle tissue and 0.63 in fat. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis showed that the tissue deformations depend considerably on the relative stiffness values of the different tissues. For example, a change in muscle stiffness had a large effect on the muscle deformations. A 50% decrease in stiffness caused an increase in maximum shear strain from 0.65 to 0.99, whereas a 50% increase in stiffness resulted in a decrease in maximum shear strain from 0.65 to 0.49. These results indicate the importance of restoring tissue properties after SCI, with the use of, for example, electrical stimulation, to prevent the development of DTI.

Prevention of deep tissue injury through muscle contractions induced by intermittent electrical stimulation after spinal cord injury in pigs.

Deep tissue injury (DTI) is a severe medical complication that commonly affects those with spinal cord injury. It is caused by prolonged external loading of the muscles, entrapping them between a bony prominence and the support surface. The entrapment causes excessive mechanical deformation and increases in interstitial pressure, leading to muscle breakdown deep around the bony prominences. We proposed the use of intermittent electrical stimulation (IES) as a novel prophylactic method for the prevention of DTI. In this study, we assessed the long-term effectiveness of this technique in pigs that had received a partial spinal cord injury that paralyzed one hindlimb. The pigs recovered for 2 wk postsurgery, and subsequently, their paralyzed limbs were loaded to 25% of their body weights 4 h/day for 4 consecutive days each week for 1 mo. One group of pigs (n = 3) received IES during the loading, whereas another group (n = 3) did not. DTI was quantified using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and postmortem histology. In the group that did not receive IES, MRI assessments revealed signs of tissue damage in 48% of the volume of the loaded muscle. In the group that did receive IES, only 8% of the loaded muscle volume showed signs of tissue damage. Similar findings were found through postmortem histology. This study demonstrates, for the first time, that IES may be an effective technique for preventing the formation of DTI in loaded muscles after spinal cord injury.

On the importance of 3D, geometrically accurate, and subject-specific finite element analysis for evaluation of in-vivo soft tissue loads

Abstract Pressure ulcers are a type of local soft tissue injury due to sustained mechanical loading and remain a common issue in patient care. People with spinal cord injury (SCI) are especially at risk of pressure ulcers due to impaired mobility and sensory perception. The development of load improving support structures relies on realistic tissue load evaluation e.g. using finite element analysis (FEA). FEA requires realistic subject-specific mechanical properties and geometries. This study focuses on the effect of geometry. MRI is used for the creation of geometrically accurate models of the human buttock for three able-bodied volunteers and three volunteers with SCI. The effect of geometry on observed internal tissue deformations for each subject is studied by comparing FEA findings for equivalent loading conditions. The large variations found between subjects confirms the importance of subject-specific FEA.